The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-10-15
CONGO CANNIBALS.
Victims Led About That Purchasers
May Select Choice Cuts.

Victims Lea ABOUT Ihat Purchasers
May Select Choice Cuts.
Baltimore American.
OF the numerous instances that might
be recorded in illustration of the organ
ICED traffic in human beings which exists,
reference may be made to the conditions
which hold in the district through which
the Lulungu river passes. This river,
which constitutes a considerable a1Iiuent
of the Congo, empttes into the latter
river or the south bank, at point some
eight hundred miles from the Atlantic
coast. Within a short distance of the
confluence is to be found a sehes OF
strongly fortified villages, representing
| the headquarters of the Ngombi. wherein
| numbers of slaves are imprisoned pend
| ing the periodical visits of traders from
the Ubangi country, which is situated on
the opposite of the Congo. A visit to
one of these slave depots at the mouth
of the Lulupgu river reveals a condition
of savagery and suffering beyond all or
binary powers of description. AT the
period to which these remarks bear refer
ence 1t was no uncommon experience to
witness at one time upward of a hundred
captives, Of all sexes and all ages inelud-
ing infants in their wretched mothers
arms, lying in groups; masses of utterly
forlorn humanity, with eyes downcast in
stony stare. with bodies attenuated by
hue which among colOred races is always
indicative of physical distress.
In cases when a suspicion existed Of an
individual captive's intention or ability
to escape, such unfortunate creature was
doomed to lie hobbled with one foot
forced through hole cut in the section
of log, while a spearhead was driven
into the wood close beside the limb, rem
dering it impossible to move, except at
the expense of laceration. Other means
to insure the prisoners safe custody con-
sisted in binding both hands above the
head to the kingpost of a hut. or in
binding the arms and plating the hair
into braid, which was made fast to
branch overhead. At intervals these VII
lagos were visited by the Ubangi, who
came in large dugout war canoes, and
the process Of barter commenced, ele-
plant tusks being the medium of currency
used in the purchase of the slaves Upon
the conclusion of this unnatural transact
ton the visitors retired, taking with
them as many of the individuals as had
been transferred to them in the tedious
process of bargaining. Upon reach ng their
destination the captives ere. in most
cases. subjected to many further ordeais,
being exchanged into other bands, until
eventually. after having been deliberately
fattened, they meet their tragic fate. and
their bodies are consumed.
There is q prevailing opinion among
many of the riverine tribes of the Upper
Congo that the flavor of human flesh is
improved by submerging the prospective
victim UP to tho neck in water for two
n or three days previous to sacrifice. IN
deed, upon two separate occasions it was
my privilege to release several poor crea-
lures who We're bound hand and foot 10
stakes In the river In certain native
market places. notably in the vicinity of
= 4. O.Ii rt,Ylf.A
for captives to be exposed for sale. in
most cases ith the sinister fate in
view Of being killed and eaten. Proper
tionately, a greater number Of men than
women fall victims to cannibaliSm, the
reason being that women who are still
young are esteemed as being OF greater
value by reason of their utility of grow
ing and cooking food. This rule does not,
however hold good throughout. for in
the vicinity Of the Aruimi river our OBJ
servauions revealed a contrary order of
custom.
Probably the most inhuman practice of
all is to be met with among the tribes who
deliberately hawk the victim p;eCemeaI
while still alive Incredible as it may
appear, the fact remains justified by an
only too abundant proof; captives are led
from place to place in order that indi-
viduals may have the opportunity OF in
dicating, by external marks upon the
body, the portion they desire to acquire.
The distinguishing marks ere generally
made by means Of colored clay, or strips
OF grass tied in a particular fashion. The
astounding stcicism of the victim. who
thus witnesses the bargaining for his
limbs. is only equaled by the callousness
with which ne walks forv ard to meet
his fate In explanation of the ex-
traordinary indifference thus displayed it
can only be assumed that death is robbed
of all terror, life under conditions Of
slavery offering so little attraction