Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1889-08-15
HUMAN SACRIFICES
Terrible Rites Paid to the Iu Iu Gods In
New Calabar, Africa.


New Calabar, Africa.
The steamer Congo brings news from
New Calabar of a most revolving sacri-
flee. 1t seems that a few months ago
the old King of Eboe died, and, as is
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 a short time after the old King
death the 'Iu Iu" rites are performed,
but they thought that these were over.
The deceased monarch's name was
Imply, and, to the horror of the En-
glish traders, the '.Iu Iu' ceremonies
were at their highest when they en-
tered Eboe Town.
The rites had been in operation for
about two months, and already about for
~ people had been slain to appease the
'Iu Luz 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. and their deaths had been
ner. Each of the poor creatures had
both her wrists and ankles broken, so
that they could neither walk nor
crawl. In this state and suffering the
most excruciating pain the unfortu-
nate 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 traverse
direction. The two remaining 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 sta
toned round the grave, armed with
clubs, ready to knock back with these
weapons any of the women who, not
withstanding their MANNED condition.
were able to crawl to the side of the
grave.
In other parts of the town further
human sacrifices were taking place.
Suspended from various trees were the
bodies of several men. These poor fell
lows were also enduring the most ago.
nizing death. In most instances holes
had been bored through their feet just
by the ankles. Through the holes ropes
were drawn and the men were then tied
to a high tree. Their heads were, of
course, hanging downward. The men
were left there to die. Tho traders, as
they were proceeding along, were I'M
willing witnesses of frightful sacri-
fetal execution. They saw a number
of natives in a group and went to the
spot to see what was taking place. To
their. horror the white men saw ma
tive tied 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 a
tree in the opposite direction. The
ropes were then drawn tightly, and
when the body was distended to it's ut
most length another native with a
Ratchet struck the neck and severed
the head from the body. The head was
taken to the grave where the King was
cannibal natives. The white men could
do nothing to stop the barbarous prac-
tees, as to interfere with these ''re-
igious customs" would not be tolerated
by the natives and the lives of the
traders would have been in peril. They
therefore made as quick a retreat from
the town as thoy could. The traders
learned for each of the following ten
months there was to be a sacrifice of
seven men.-London Standard.