Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-11-09
Voudoux Mysteries and Crimes.

Among the ancient superstitions import
ed with the black race from Africa, none
has retained such fixed impression on the
mind of the negro as VoudouXism. Here,
in Cuba, in Jamaica, and in Hayti, 1t has
always presented more or less of its old
Ethiopian characteristics; though cannibal-
ism and the sacrifice of human victims to
the Fetish god have, in great measure,
been superseded by less revolving rites and
ceremonies. On hundreds OF occasions,
within the last quarter of century, the
police of this city have interrupted YOU
doux orgies, and thousands of our inhabi-
tants, both white and colOred, have believ-
ed themselves to be the victims of Voudoux
spells. 1t is particularly in affairs OF the
heart that the New Orleans followers of
VoudouX have woven their charms and in
carnations, and but for the degradation in
yolved, their ceremonies might be looked
upon as interestingly ridiculous. A nude
dance around central altar, in presence OF
the fetish queen; caldron boiling and bub-
bling in the decoction of virtues from more
varied ingredients than these used by the
weired sisters of Macbeth's blasted heath;
the excitement caused by the wildly-intox-
icating fumes of the strange uistillation;
the distribution to the faithful of charms
and conjurations rife with mighty magic
dlI JIltSt dTt ltdLuICS III JlC luuO NSiShiOhhss'f
which impose on the ignorant and
inspire awe in bosoms of believers in
fetish orthodoxy. Almost every an
cient Creole family had its VOudoux
worshiper in its list of family servants,
and sometimes my "young mistress" was
half indoctrinated into the belief by her
faithful nurse, and spells were woven to
bring lovers to her feet. Occasionally y
strange deaths were attributed to Voud0uX-
ism, and whispers of foul play were not
wanting; but generally, the ceremonies were
looked upon as comparatively harmless
vent for the gas of Congo superstition
Curious things of various kinds confidently
believed to be of fetish manufacture, are
frequently found in pillows or mattresses
and how they get there no one can tell
These are held to mean mischief and or
weak minds they often produce imaginary
ailments, till counter-charmsa are invoked tC
exercise the first unholy influence. Re-
Gently in Hayti eight VOudoux devotees
were tried and executed for the murder, OF
sacrifice, as they called it, of young ne.
gress. BY command Of the President, and
under an order of the council attached to
the civil tribunal of Port-auP Prince, it was
declared that there was sufficient cause to
proceed against Juana Pelle, Floreal Apol-
Ion, Guerrier Francois, Congo Pelle, Jul
lien Nicolas, Nereina Francois, Roseida
Sumera and Beyard Prosper for murder,
committed on the person of a young girl
named Clarina. The trial took place In due
form, when it appeared that the aunt and
uncle of the deceased had hand in the
horrid butchery. Congo Pelle, the uncle
stated that the god of his worship had or
dered him to offer up human sacrifice
He communicated the fact to his sister
fNnofh har fhat fhpiI
niece, Clarina, should be the victim. After
making all their arrangements, the girl
was led to the slaughter by Congo. She
was first placed in mysterious sort
of box called the ''Humfort," with her limbs
closely bound to her body. There she was
kept for four days, a peculiar description
of sacrifcial food being daily administered
to her, and as soon as she was sufficiently
prepared by suffering, Juana strangled her
by violently COMPRISING her throat, while
Floreal pressed in her sides and Guerrier
held her by the feet. Thus, in fearful con-
vulsions, the poor child died. Floreal then
took a knife, and, after separating the
head from the body, skinned the latter
while 1t was yet warm. This done, they
quarreled over the carcass, each contendine
for choice portions as the material for
hellish feast; and, after the first part of the
ulaDOllcal DanqueC was over, Ihey Coohco
the girls head with yams, of which each
fiendishly partook. Subsequently the skull
was placed on an altar, and Juan, taking q
bell In her hand, circled round and round
followed by the Others, all chanting mys-
terious song. When this ceremony was
finished, the skin and entrails were buried,
and the bones, which had previously been
burnt, were, with the blood, placed in earth
en- vessels and carefully preserved.
Parto these facts came out by the COMES
sion of some of the parties, and more were
elected from girl, named Losama, who had
been kidnapped and kept in confinement as
the nextvictim. This girl had been obliged
to carry food to Clarina during the four
days of preparation.
At the execution of the eight Voudoux
murderers, the populace cried out, 'Long
live the President Of Hayti! Long live civ
ilization !"-N. o. Times. y" " A .'i"if .