The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1889-07-12
HUMAN SACRIFICE IN AFRICA.
ATRoCIoUsLY CRUEL BURIAL RITES At
THE GRAVE or KING.

The steamer Congo brings news from
New Calabar of most revolving sacri-
fee. 1t seems that few months ago
the old King of Eboe died, aud, as Iis
customary in that part of the country,
the traders from New Calabar went up
to pay their respects to the new mon
arch. The traders were aware that for
short time after the old Kings death
the '1u Iu' rites are performed, but
they thought that these were over The
deceased monarch's name was Imply,
and TO the honor of the English traders
the 'Iu Iu" ceremonies were at their
highest when they entered Eboe town.
The rites had been in operation for
about two months, and already about
forty had been slain to appease "Iu Il"
gods. The old King was then lying in
a grave which had been dug for him.
The hole was large one and deep.
Lying in the same grave we're nine Of
the Kings youngest wives, and their
deaths had been brought about in the
most cruel manner. Each of the poor
creatures had both their wrists and
ankles broken, so that they could Meth :
er walk nor crawl. In this state, and
suffering the most excruciating pain,
the unforsunate creatures were placed
at the bottom of the grave, seven of
them lying side by side. The body of
the King was then laid on them in a
transverse direction. Tue two remain
ing women were laid down by the side
of the King, lying exactly like the
monarch's body. No food or water
was given to the poor creatures, who
were left in that position to die. 1t is
said that death did not, as a rule, take
place for four or FIVE days. -Four men
were stationed round the grave, armed
with clubs, ready to knock back with
these weapons any of the women vino,
notwithstanding their MANNED condi-
tion, were able to crawl to the side Of
the grave.
In other parts of the town other
human sacrifices were taking place.
Suspended from various trees were the
bodies of several men. These poor
fellows were also enduring the most
agonizing death. In most instances
holes were bored through their feet
just by their ankles. Through the
holes ropes were drawn, and the men
were then tied to high tree. Their
heads we're of course. hanging down.
ward. The men were there left TO die
The traders, as they we're proceeding
along, were unwilling witnesses of a
frightful sacrifcial execution. They
saw number of natives in a group
and went to the spot to see what was
taking place. There to their horror
the white men saw native tied by the
feet and neck. The rope attached te
| the neck was thrown over q tree in one
direction, and the rope attached to the
feet was tied to tree in the opposite
direction. The ropes were then drawr
tightly, and when the body was dis
tended to it's utmost length another ma
tive with hatchet struck the necl
and severed the head from the body
The head was taken to the grav
where the King was lying, while tn
body was eaten by the cannibal ma
tives. The white men could do moth
: ing to stop the barbarous practices, a
to interfere with these religious Cut
toms" would not be tolerated by tn
natives, and the lives of the trader
would have been in peril. They
! therefore, made as quick retrea
from the town as they could. Th
. traders learned that for each of tn
following ten months there was to be
: sacrifice of seven men.--LondOn Sta,
GarH.