Note 274 — Chapter IX
Reading edition
Among the Dahomans are many mystic names, like Joshua, Isa, and others. These are mostly of the Bo-fetish, a war-medicine which prevents wounds (chapter xi.). The words mean, adan (brave), men (man), nun (side, face), kon (upon). The title is explained in two ways. “I am brave upon another man’s side,” i.e., to take him prisoner; or, “however brave nations are, the king is the bravest of all.”