The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1889-07-25
HUMAN SACRIFICE MAFRICA
The Tsribls Rites Paid 10 ths III ii"
Gods.
Ferry PeOPls sIaIn..Ths LaSe Tax
! Imposed ~ lhe Death
- . King.

-NNN@N-~-N CSAtlsS NNANlf1H NANNo AlOlAA
New CalabGr Of the most revolving sacFi-
fee. II seems that few months ago the
old king Of EbOe died, and, as b custom
ary in that part Of the country, the trad.
erS from New Calabar went up 10 pay
their respects 70 the new morareh. The
traders were aware that for short time
after the old kings death the 'Iu In"
rites are performed, but they thought
that these were over, The deceased mon
arch's name was Imply, and 10 the hop.
Toro Of the Enelish traders the 'Ih Iu''
ceremonies were at their highest when
they eutesed the EbOs town.
The Eites had been In operation for
about two nonths, and already about
ioTty psople had been slain 10 !appoase
the "Iu In" gods. The old king was then
lyingin grave that had been ding toe
him. The hole was = large one and deep.
Lying in the same grave were nine Of the
kings youngest wives, ans their deaths
had been brought about In the inOst
cruel manner. Each Of the poor crsa-
lures had both her wrists and, ankles
broken, 20 that they could neither walk
nor crawl. In this state, and suffering
the most excruciating pain, the uniot-
tunats creatures were placed at the bot.
tom Of the grave, seven Of them lying
side by side. The body Of the king was
then laid on them in q transverse direc-
ton. The two remaining women were
laid down BY the side Of the king, lying
exactly like the monaFch's body No
food Of water Was given to the poor c1oa-
lures, who were left In that position to
die. Il b said that death did not, a. q
rule, take place for four or Eve days.
-Four men were stationed around the
grave, armed with clubs, ready to knock
back with these weapons any Of the
women who. notwithstanding their
maimed condition, were able to crawl 10
the side % the grave. NJ
In other parta' Of the town further
human sacEihces were taking place.
-suspendsd from various trees were the
bodies Of several men. These poor fsl-
lows were also enduring the most agnnis.
ing death. In most instances holes bad
been bored through their feet just BY the
ankles. Through these holes ropes were
drawn, and the men were then tied 70 .
high tree. Their heads Wers, Of courae,
hanging downward. The men were there
left 10 die. The traders, ~ they we've
proceeding along, were unwilling wit
nesses Of a frightful aacFiHcial execution.
They saw q number Of natives In agToup,
and went to the spot to zee what was tak.
ing place. 10 their horror the Whits men
saw . native tied BY the feet and neck.
The Tope attached 10 the neck was thrown
over . tree in one direction. and the rope
attached to the feet was tiedfo tree In
the opposite direction. The rop@ were
then drawn tightly, and when the body
was distsnded 10 its utmost length, an
other nAtive with . hatchet struck the
neck and severed the head fIom The body.
The bead was then taken to the crave
where the king was lying. while The body
was eaasn by the eannihll nstiveS. The
white men could do soothing to stop the
barbaFoas practices, 10 10 interfere with
these '.religioas customs'' would not be
tolerated by the natives, sud the lives, Of
the tTadeFs would have been In peril.
They therefore made Is quick . retreat