The morning call., 1891-08-01
CANNIBALISM.
How Victims Are Kept, Killed and Pre-
pared for Diet.

How Victims Are Kept, Killed and Pre-
pared for Diet.
An attempt made by the Dutch authori-
ties in New Guinea to take census of the
tribes that indulge in cannibalism has
brought out some interesting facts in con-
nection with the man-eating habit, as prac-
ticed in various parts of the world. Lieu
tenant HardenbrOck, who penetrated the
interior OF Dutch New Guinea last winter
In search of information as to the inh abb
tants, their habits and probable number,
was surprised to learn that cannibalism is
an almost universal habit among the ma
lives of tie Interior. The leading tribe of
Western New Guinea, the Matavi, are
fierce man-eaters, and carry on wars and
raids for no other purpose than to procure
victims for their cannibal feasts. Unlike
ether tribes in that region, they do not
build their houses in trees, or on rocky
heights, but openly in the plain or forest
clearing. The masters of all they encoun-
ter, they are too conscious OF superiority to
seek any artificial refuge from their enc
mics. And, indeed, the latter are only too
aux lous TO keep away from the hands of
the dreaded Matavi.
Hardenbrock remained In the village OF
the chief Tor one week, studying their Gus
toms and endeaYoring to learn something of
their language. He found to his horror
that they were regular cannibals, human
flesh and bananas being their daily food,
varied little by eSculent roots procured in
the forests. The intended victims were
kept like cattle in a corral short distance
from the village, but concealed from view
by Intervening trees. Here Hardenbrock
found htteen natives, evidently of another
and Inferior tribe. bound with withes of
plant, but very strong bark stripped from q
Tree peculiar TO the Papuan woods. The
average number slaughtered each day was
two. The Lieutenant noticed that the
women were disposed of first, being appar-
emily considered more delicate and desira-
Bile. The wretches attempted no resist
aDce, conscious, no doubt, that 1t would be
useless. They were led ont one at time
and killed by blow On the back OF the neck
with heavy club. The killing was done
just outside the corral, and in view OF the
others, who looked on without uttering a
sound. The bodies. after being rudely pre-
pared, were baked in long trench, or pit,
lined with hot stones, which had been
heated in a fire near by. The pit was COW
cred with carpet of earth, and on this
were heaped the hot ashes from the fire,
wood being occasionally added as fuel. The
process OF baking occupied about an hour
hen the bodies were taken out, done to a
a beautiful turn, and conveyed to the village
Tor The cannibal meal.
on the third day Of Lieutenant Harden
ptoeK stay In tho village moro of the men
started out. armed with their spears, bows
and arrows, and evidently bent on hostile
expedition. They left behind the women
and children and half dozen men to guard
the corral. They were gone two DAYS.
When they returned they brought with
them two of their own dead and TWENTY-FIVE
captlves, mostly women. The captves were
hurried into the corral and securely bound
like the others. They were then fed on
water apd bananas. The Matayi did not eat
their own dead. These were Immediately