The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1892-07-07
cRUELTIRs OF DAHoMEy.
Frequent Expeditions in Search Of Human
Victims for the Sacrifice

Frequent Expeditions in Search OF Human
Victims for the Sacrifice.
The slave trade is becoming more
precarious' not only because of the
surveillance of the English and French
ships OF war, but because the deyel-
opment of the oil industry demands a
large force of laborers for the har-
vestlng OF the nuts and the prepare
ton Of the oil. On the other hand,
the neighboring tribes of Dahomey,
the reserve for the kings raids are
not as numerous as they were. More
over they frequently receive protec-
ton from the Germans and English in
the neighboring settlements from the
raids OF Bedazin. who after the grand
ceremonies OF each year recruits his
forces from the neighboring pro.
vinces.
After the ceremonies at Abomey
are closed and the ambassadors have
returned to their countries the natives
IN the border countries know that
trouble is in store for them. says
letter in the New York Tribune The
Inhabitants of some peaceful village
suddenly awake to find themselves the
prisoners Of King Bedazin The
troops are stationed at the highest ele-
Walton in the village, where they
shoot those who offer resistance and
capture any of the inhabitants that at
tempt to escape. The prisoners are
bound, their elbows tied behind their
backs by one cord, their wrists fas-
tened by another and their feet tied
together. "
Around the necks Of the women and
children is tied a single cord as a
mark OF slavery The raid over. the
band rejoins the army Of the king and
the slave chasers return to Abomey
where several of the unfortunates are
sacrificed in honor Of the cruel god
who has blessed this excursion. Be-
fore killing the prisoners the fetch
worshiper whispers to the victim to
carry Gele-le messages from his worthy
son and to give an account of his VIC
tories. The poor wretch who smiles
at his murderer. answering that he
will fulfill the commission. knows that
his death will be made trife less
painful. that is to say. his tender
hearted murderer will stun him with
a blow on the back of the head before
breaking his neck. 49,
The prisoners of war are divided
| into several lots some of whom are
retained for the plantation of the king.
others being assigned to the chiefs of
the tribes for the same purpose. while
| the greater portion are imprisoned
awaiting their purchasers. A high
court officer the chief of Justice, is
placed in charge over them. He is at
| the same time director of criminal
| affairs. chief murderer and master of
! ceremonies in the thanksgiving offer
ings. The captives are disposed of
at Abomey in exchange for gold, sill
ver ivory. leather cloth or any arti-
Gle of commerce which the king may
| happen to need. The slaves are
! driven from one station to another in
the dreary march across the country
by mounted Arabs.
They are sent from Whydah to the
seacoast where they embark for their
| new destination. Maxine Carvalho
is one Of the principal purchasers of
slaves. He employs them in the.
'Fazandas' or coffee plantations of
Brazil and reports that they soon for
get their miseries singing the pro-
vincial melodies to the accompani-
ment Of the mandolin. Carvalho.
singing the same negro dittie. with.
charming insouciance, almost succeeds;
in convincing his audience that he is
doing a charitable act by dealing in,
slaves.