The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-11-09
Voudou Horrors.
Serpent Worship and Cannibalism in
Hauj

serpent Worship and Cannibalism in
Hayti.
Some moths ago an Englishman of
rank and fortune, after thoroughly explor-
ing the West Indies and visiting part of
the Spanish Main in his yacht, came to
this country on his way home. While
here he submitted certain entries in the
vessels log and certain passages in his
own diary to the inspection of American
friends, who earnestly advised him to
pursue the hints therein given with an
eye to concentrating public attention on
the progressive relapse into barbarism of
society in the vast and beautiful and once
splendidly productive island of Hayti.
This advice he seems to have taken, for
we find in Vanity Fair of August 13 the
following observations:
1.-The religion of Hayti is ostensibly
Roman Catholic. An archbishop, four
bishops and nearly one hundred priests,
are established in the country, but they
are really powerless in the face of a
secret religion called "Voudou" or SER
pent-worship.
The professors of " Voudou," who have
the serpent house" in each village wood
Gas may also be seen on the west coast
of Africa, originally came from the Congo
coast, and were of the tribe called Man
dingoes, celebrated for their skill as
.sorcerers and secret prisoners, and for
being serpent-worshippers, child-slayers
and cannibals. They appear to have
brought their arts with them from Africa,
but while Hayti was under French rule
they were obliged to practice them in
secret.
1t was, however, mainly owing to the
power of " Voudou" that Hayti was lost
to the French. Many of the Presidents
have belonged to it; the present Presi-
dent either cannot or will not suppress
it, and it fourishes openly. 1t would be
improper for me to give my authorities.
1t is sufficient to say that they are of the
highest, and that the facts are indispu-
table, being vouched for to me by eye
witnesses. Out of over 100000 inhabi-
tants of Hayit there are only 10000 who
do not openly belong to "Voudou.'
The priests Of this religion have got
absolute power, owing to their knowledge
of herb-poisoning and of the autidotes.
Owing to this knowledge, which moth
ing will induce them to divulge, they
can poison either slowly or quickly, pain
fully or the reverse, and can procure a
death-like sleep. They are consequently
resorted to by people who wish to get rid
of others either for gain, from jealousy or
the like.
The secret poisoning is carried on TO
an enormous extent. 1t goes on, indeed,
under the name of cob" wherever ne
groes are found. In Hayti, while the
French had the island, it was sternly
epressed-more so than either in ia
maica or Cuba-but since then it has in
creased to such an extent that a sup
pressed terror prevails among all classes
in Hayti.
The great feasts of "Voudou" are at
Christmas, at Whitsunti3e, and at Eas-
ter. The drum is beaten at midnight
and the people assemble. The ceremony
commences by the most terrible oaths of
secrecy. Then dancing begins, and the
excitement is kept up by copious :iba-
lions OF rum till one or more of the per-
formers fall down in a fit, when the
spirit of " Voudou" is supposed to have
entered into them. These orgies last
generally three nights and sometimes
longer, during which scenes of bloodshed
and cannibalism too shocking to mention
take place.
Before the sacrifice is made the priest
orders as many children as he requires.
They must be of pure African descent,
and not over ten years of age. These
children are invariably forthcoming,
either by being voluntarily given up or
obtained by being stolen by women who
make profession Of it. They are expert
at their trade"