Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-02-13
THE GAZETTE.
THE MARQUESAs CANNlBALS.
SATURDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 10, 1858.

THE MARQUESAS CANNlBALS.
How THEY Cook AND EAT THEIR ENEMIES.
The Honolulu Advertiser, OF a iaie dale
says:
The bav. doe, not resem ble our Hawaiian
valleys. Ii is not a gentle slope between two
hills, but a ravine with steep sides, app;-
reptly split out from the mountains. 1t is,
however, one of the largest, most beautiful
and productive oftbe many g!eus of Fatuhhi-
va. This valley has recently been the scene
of a protracted war between the neighboring
tribes. One of these contests lasted nine
days, at the close of which the bodies of the
captured dead were eaten This cannibal
custom prevails throughout this group.
They do not have a great feast over these
human bodies, as is generally supposed to
be the case, but the body is cut to pieces on
the battle field, and each warrior takes his
piece-an arm, q joint, a rib, according 10
his m~erit-raises it on his gun owe. his shou :
der, and marches home. There he calls his
relations together, aud they devour the flesh
some cooking it in slices Ike pork, out
most eat it raw. The motive which Induces
them to eat the bodies of their enemies is re-
renge; they feel that their revenge Is not sat
ished until they have tasted OF their blood
and flesh. When their hatred, anger and
revenge are at the highest point, and their
enemy lies dead before them, then i, culmi-
mates in the fendish act Of eating humaa
flesh, and we may easily imagine that the
quiveripg heart that crlDges and CRATES be-
tween their bloody teeth, is tho sweetest NOR
BEL that a heather warrior can taste. This
cannibalisn is confined mostly to the older
natives. The younger people appear t. be
ashamed OF the practice, and II Is probable
that before many years it viii be extinct
among the Marquesas.
This famous battle of Hansveve, keketa
tells us. lasted nine days. 1t consisted rath-
er of Diminishing, though shots enough were
fred TO have killed q regiment. 1t Is quite
likely that these simple warriors did their
firing with eyes shut, as during the entire
contest but one or two persons we're killed.
The beaten party in this terrible scare en-
tered into a compact with their copquerors,
in which hostages were exchanged, but those
of the vsnquished ran away, (irom lear OF
being devoured, perhaps,) and returned to
their tribe, who Immediately. in the most Sc.
cres manner, took bag and baggage from
the soil Of their ancestors. aud made a hssty
retreat to the Island of Tahuaka. The VIC
tors having gained more than they a~uticipa-
ted, but just what they desired, took posses
sion and divided the spolls. This contest
was az ancient feud. There were but two
points of approach 70 the valley, one 10y the
mountain pass and one by sea. Never be-
fore had the enemy been able to force this
narrow passage-a fastness Of nature. They
had been forced to steal through an aperture
worn 10y the waves through the northern
point of the island, whence they discharged
their firearms upon their enemies and re-
treated. 1t is now said that tue exiIes are
home sick, that they desire to return, and
that there are those of the conquerors who
would welcome them back.