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Abstract

THE late Colonel Ellis, whose death was almost simultaneous with the publication of this book, had devoted long and earnest attention to the study of the West African tribes, amongst which his military duties led him. This volume completes and brings into focus his life-work. Like the previous volumes on the Tshi- and the Ewe-speaking peoples, it is a contribution to anthropology of the very highest order, combining the enthusiasm of a student and the literary power of a cultured scholar with the simple and unobtrusive directness of the soldier. Colonel Ellis touches no controversy, and records, with no more commentary than is necessary to do justice to the narrative, the facts of his own observation. The book begins with an excellent geographical and historical summary of the Yoruba country and people, goes on to consider their deities, priests and superstitions, and the laws and customs which prevail, and concludes with the citation of 250 Yoruba proverbs, many of them worthy mates of those of Solomon, and a series of folk-lore tales, in which we see the origin of many of “Uncle Remus's” best stories.