Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-07-05
HUMAN SACRIFICE IN AFRICA.
Atrociously Cruel Burial Rites at the
Grave Of King.


The steamer Congo brings news from
New Calabar OF most revolving sacrifice.
II seems that few months ago the old
King Of EbOe died. and a. Is customary in
that part Of the country the traders from
New Calabar went up 10 pay their respects
90 the new monarch. ] he traders were
aware that for n short time after the old
Kings death the lulu rites are per-
formed. but they thought that these were
over. The deceased mouarch's name was
Imply. and 70 the horror Of the English
traders the lulu" ceremonies were at
their highest when they entered Eboe
Town.
The rites had been in operation for
about two months and already about forty
people had been slain TO appease the - Iu-
Ia gods. The old King WAS then lying in
grave which had been dug for him. The
hole was a large one and deep. Lying IN
the same grave were nine of the Kings
youngest wives. aud their deaths had
been brought about in the most cruel
manner. Each Of the poor creatures had
both her wrists and ankles broken, 50
that they could neither walk nor
crawl. IN this state, and suffering the
most eEcrucIatlng pam, the unfOrtu-
nate creatures We're placed at the bot
tom of the grave. seven Of them lying side
boy side. The body of the King was then
Lld on them IN transverse direction.
The two remaining women wexe laid down
hy the side II the King, lying exactly like
the mOnarch's body. No food or water was
given TO the poor creatures. who were left
iu that position to die. H. is said that
death did not as o rule take place for four
OF five DAYS. Four men were stationed
round tho grave, armed with clubs, ready
to knock back with these weapons any of
the women who. notwithstanding their
manned condition, were able To crawl TO
the side OF the grave.
I'm Othef parts of the town further human
sacrifices were taking place. Suspended
froEl various trees were The bodies Of seye-
nal non. These poor fellows were also en-
duTlnq tho most aGOnlzlng death. In most
IN 9aReef holes had been bored through
their feet just 10y the ankles. Through the
holes rOpcs were drawn. and the men were
then tied 10 high tree. Their heads were.
OF course, hanging downward. The men
were there left 90 die. The traders, as
they were proceeding along. were unwiu-
ing witnesses # "a irightful sacTihclal exc
cutlOu. They saw q number Of natives IN
% group. and went TO the spot 10 see what
was taking place. TO their horror the
white men saw a native tied by the feet and
neck. The rope attached 20 The neck was
tlrnWn over tree IN one direction, and
tIC rope attached 90 the feet was tied
20 tree IN the opposite direction.
The ropes were then drawn tightly, and
when the body was di,teuded 10 its ut
most length another native with hatchct
struck the neck and severed the head from
the body. The head Was taken to ,hc
grave where the King was lying, while the
body was eaten 10y The canuibal natives.
The white men could do nothing TO stop
the barharou- practices, as 10 interfere
with these religions customs" would not
bc tolerated hv the natives and the lives
of tire traders would have been IN peril.
They therefore made ~ quick a retreat
from tbc town as they could. Inc traders
learned that fof each of the following ten
months there was 20 be sacrifice of seven
mon