Note 39 — Chapter III

The word must not be confounded with “Gau,” the commander-in-chief of the Dahoman army. The “Ka-wo” is the “Caukaow or General of Whydah,” mentioned in the History, and spoken of as the “Cakawo amongst the Dahomans.” The tradition is, that it was an honourable name given, long before the days of Agaja, the conqueror of Whydah, to a brave chief, who pursued the enemy over the Wo (pronounced Waw) River, which divides Whydah from the Nago, or Agoni (i.e., Egbado, or lower Egba) country. Etymologically, the word is explained by Ká (for ká-ká, i.e., very much, or) long (i.e., following the foe till the) Wo (river). It has, since the conquest, been continued by the Dahoman kings.