Note 156 — Chapter XVIII

The word is a corruption of the Fanti “ketí.” It is an artless reed, open at both ends, with a little notch in the mouth-piece, which is scraped thin to divide the wind. Mr. Dalzel remarks (Introduction, p. 11) that “the King’s women understand and practise the combination of the perfect concords, thirds and fifths,” and that their little airs, played upon the flute and other instruments, are not inelegant. Dr. Bowditch describes “the soft breathings of the long flutes” at Ashante as being “truly melodious.” Dr. M‘Leod (p. 96) finds the flageolets of Dahome very sweet, and in the next page gives the following sample of an air:—