The state herald., 1889-08-16
HUMAN SACRIFICES IN AFRICA.
Tho Terrible Rltes Paid to the ..lu
lu" Gods In Nav Caiabar.

Tho Terrible Rites Paid to the "lu
iu" Gods In Nav Caiabar.
The steamer Congo brings news, from
New Calabar Of u most revolving sacri-
flee, says the London Standard. 1t
seems that few months ago tho old
king Of Eboc died and, us is customary
In that part Of the country. the traders
from New Calabar went up to pay their
respects to the now monarch. Tho
traders were aware that for short time
after the old kings death tho 'Iu In"
rites nre performed, but they thought
that these We're over. Tho deceased
monarch's name was Imply and TO tho
horror Of tho English traders the "Iu
Iu" ceremonies were at their highest
when they entered Eboe Town.
Tho rites had been in operation for
about two months. and already about
forty people had been slain to appcnse
the "Iu fu'' gods. Tho old king was
thcn lying In grave which had been
dug for him. The hole was large one
and decp. Lying In the samo grave
wero nine Of tho kings youngest wives,
and their deaths had becn brought about
in the most cruel manner. Each OF tho
poor creatures hnd both her wrists and
anklcs broken. no that thoy could
neither wink nor crawl In this state
and suffering the most excrusiating pain
the unfortunate creatures wero placed
ut the bottom OF tho grave, seven OF them
lying side by side. The body OF the king
was then laid on them in II transverse
direction The two remaining women
were laid down by tho 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 posi-
tion TO die. IL is said that death did not,
US 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 who. Notwithstanding their
MANNED condition, were able TO crawl
10 the side Of the grave.
In other parts of the town further
human sacrifices were taking place.
Suspended from various trees were tho
bodies OF several men. These poor
fellows were also enduring the most
agonizino death. In most instances
holes had been bored through their
feet just by the ankles. Through tho
holes ropes were drawn and the men
were then tied TO high tree. Their
heads were. Of course, hanging down
ward. The men were left there TO die.
The traders as they wcro proceeding
along. were unwilling witnesses OF n
frlghtful sacriilcial execution. They
saw number Of natives in group and
went TO tho spot TO see what WIS taking
place. To their horror the white men
saw native ticl by the feet and neck.
The rope attached To the neck was
thrown over tree In one direction and
the rope attached TO the feet was tied
to tree In the opposite direction. Tho
ropes wcro then drawn tightly. and
when the holy was distcnded to lis u.-
most length another native with n
-iyl lchct struck the neck and severed tho
'ad ron ---.sc body. The head was
ken TO the grave wn-, -, the.J,i,g wa.
ing. while the body was eatenbshy ia,
lnnibal natives. Tho white men colrr =
, nothing 20 stop the barbariou'
-acticcs. ms to interfere with these re :, y
gious customs" would not be tolerated
, the natives and the lives OF
c traders would have besa in
,ril. They therefore made rs quick j
retreat from the town n' they could.
he traders learned that for the follow II
g ten months there was to be II :
'criicc of seven men. :