Note 241 — Chapter IX
Reading edition
Gelele is, as we often find amongst kingly names in the Hwe-’gbe-’ajya dynasty of Dahome, the initial word of a phrase—Gelele (bigness), ma nyonzi (with no way of lifting). For the strong names or titles, the curious reader will consult Appendix iv. As regards the dynastic name, first assumed by King Aho (Adahoonzou I.), Hwe-’gbe-’ajya, it corresponds with Osai (Osei) of Ashanti, and may be broadly compared with the Egyptian Pharaoh. The meaning is, Hwe (a fish), egbe (will not enter), ajya (a weir), viz., if a fish shun the trap it will not be caught, so no one can do anything against Dahome.