Note 177 — Chapter VIII
Reading edition
The following is the usual computation:—
40 cowries = 1 string (ojo), which varies, according to the market, from 1f. to 1d. The string of 50 cowries is called Adotta.
5 strings = 1 bunch.
10 bunches = 50 strings, or 2000 cowries 1 head (Egba or Egbawa) = $1, whence probably the word ‘head’ was derived in former times, but now varying from 2s. to 1s. 5d.
10 heads, or 20,000 cowries = 1 bag (okkekan), now worth 18s.
20 heads = 1 oz. gold dust = £4.
Thus assuming the dollar to be at the old value 4s. 6d. (it has lately been reduced to 4s. 2d.)—
s. d. Bags. Heads. Strings. Cowries.
One bag, worth 18 0 contains 1 0 0 0
„ dollar „ 4 6 „ 0 2 25 0
„ head „ 1 9½ „ 0 1 0 0
„ shilling „ 1 0 „ 0 0 27 31
The natives, as might be expected, have a number of names and minor subdivisions, even a single cowrie being made to buy snuff and similar small articles. The following are the names generally known:—
Ogonu (i.e. one hundred) = 2½ strings.
Igbio = 5 strings; in Portuguese, Gallinha; Anglicè, ‘bunch,’ or smaller bundle.
Ojuluba (5 strings and 1) = 6 strings.
Enowo = 10 strings.
Egbeta = 15 „
Egbeni = 20 „
Egbenu = 25 „
Egbefa = 30 „
Egbejje = 35 „
Egbejja = 40 „
Egbisi = 45 „
After which comes the head = 50 strings.