The superior usually salutes first, and when the disparity of position is great, the inferior prostrates. The young always prostrate to the aged. Women kneel, but never prostrate. Sons, without reference to age or rank, prostrate to their mothers or senior female relatives. They never suffer any thing to interfere with the observance of these courtesies. There is an appropriate salutation for every occasion for instance: acuaro, good morning; acuale, good evening; acushe, for being industrious; acabo, or acuabo, (ua as diphthong,) for returning from a journey; acatijo, for long absence; acujoco, for sitting or resting; acudaro, for standing or walking; acuraju, expressive of sympathy, in distress or sickness; acueru, for bearing a burthen; acualejo, for entertaining a stranger. So rich is the language in salutations, that the above list could have been increased indefinitely.
At Oyo, the capital of the Yoruba nation, there is an old man, apparently in a very humble position, for no one is more condescending and courteous than he. He is, nevertheless, no less a personage than the Onoshoko, or "Father of the King," an officer of state so called. In the event of the king's demise, the privilege of choosing a successor devolves on him; hence his position is really very exalted: besides, he is
