Flower in the singular

[Xinfu]

p.149 Thus perished many of the flower of the Piccaninny tribe.

I would have thought many means many people, but in that case flower would make no sense. What does flower mean there? I do not think flower here has the usual meaning, because in that case it would be flowers.

[poli]

p.149 Thus perished many of the flower of the Piccaninny tribe.

I would have thought many means many people, but in that case flower would make no sense. What does flower mean there? I do not think flower here has the usual meaning, because in that case it would be flowers.

It's poetic jargon. The flower of the tribe in this case means the best of/ the crème de la crème.

It can be understood, but we don't use "the flower of" in this sense frequently in English.

[Xinfu]

Excellent answer. Thank you.