3-053-416 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Interior of an Ashantee hut, 1873. Engraving of a sketch showing '...the ordinary aspect of daily household life among these savages, whose habits are like those of other n*gro populations, in Guinea, except where Mohammedan craftsmen, from the more civilised countries north of this region, have introduced some useful arts...the man, as usual, is reposing on a bamboo bedstead. The women of the family do not seem very busy; two of them, with a young man, are seated on the floor eating their breakfast; one smoking her pipe. Another is about to go out at the door. The food is dumplings, served on plantain leaves. The lady of the house lies on the floor, to have her hair combed by the lady's maid. Among the household utensils are a large basket for corn, a roll of mats, and a bag of charms, to avert the anger of some malicious demon. A musket, as well as well as a shield, with spear and sword, is hung on the wall behind'. From "Illustrated London News", 1873.