The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-07-06
HUMAN sACRIF1oEs IN AFRICA.
The Terrible Rites Paid to the "Iu III"
~ Gods.
From the London STANDARD.

zsF From the London Standard.
The steamer Congo brings news from
4 sew Calabar of a most revolving sacrifice.
1t seems that 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
70 tie new monarch. The traders were
aware that for short time after the old
klngs death the ''Iu Iu" rites are performed,
9pt they thought that these were over. The
deceased monarch's name was Imply, and
% inc horror of the English traders the ''Iu
III ceremonies were at their highest when
they entered Eboe Town.
Inc rites had been in operation for about
TWO months, and already about forty peo-
PIE mad been slain to appease the "IU Iu"
goos' The old king was then lying in
grave which had been dug for him The
noie was large one and deep. Lying in
Inc same grave were nine of the kings
Youngest wives, and their deaths had been
brought about ia the most cruel manner.
Aacn OF the poor creatures had both her
wT1stS and ankles broken, so that they
could neither walk nor crawl. In this
stats, and suffering the most excruciating
pam, the unfortunate creatures were
placed at the bottom of the grave,
seven Of them lying side by
zoe ssde. The body of the king was then laid on
'netn in transverse direction. The two re-
laalnng women were laid down by the side
Il Inc king, lying exactly like the monarch's
oodT' NO food or water was given to the
poor creatures, who were left in that posi-
ion 70 die. 1t is said that death did not, as
a rule, taSe place for four or two DAYS.
rour men were stationed around the grave,
armed u with clubs, ready to knock back
"Ioh tnese weapons any of the women who,
noIwlthssandlng their manned condition,
we're aole TO crawl to the side of the grave.
IN oCher paris of the town further human
eeacrihces Wa taking place Suspended
ron various tree; were the bodies of sew
GIaI men These poor fellows were also en-
Turing the most agonizing death. In most
Instances holeS had been bored through their
' aeet Just by the ankles. Through the holes
Iopes were drawn, and the men We're then
Cieo 10 high tree. Their heads were, of
curse naugng downward. The men were
s sncle left to die. The traders, as they were
proceeding along, were unwilling witnesses
u Irlghtful sacrificial execution. They
Jaw number of natives in a group, and
VENT 70 the spot to see what was taking
p4ace 10 their horror the white men saw
naIlVe tied by the feet and neck. The
.ope attached to the neck was thrown
SeE tree in one direction, and the
rope attached to the feet was tied to a tree
- Cne opposite direction. The ropes were
men drawn tightly, and when the body was
Uscended to its utmost length another
native with Ratchet struck the neck and
severed the head from the BODY. The head
' vas taken TO the grave where the king was
yine, while the body was eaten by tire
cdnnloal natives The white men could do
LOOMING TO stoD the barbarous practices. as
70 interfere with these religious customsn
YOU'D not be tolerated by the natives, and
the nves of the traders would have been in
peril They therefore made as quick a re.
treat from the town as they could. TIE
Traders learned that for each Of the follow
ing ten months there was to be a sacrifice
OF seven men.