The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1899-11-29
AFRICAN CANNIBALS.
HORRIBLE PRACTICES OF THE MAN
EATERS OF THE KONGO.


Place. So That Prospective Pur-
chasers May Mark Portions They
Desire When the Killing Occurs.
or the numerous instances that might
be recorded In Illustration of the organ
lied traffic In human beings which
exists, reference may be made to the
conditions which hold In the district
through which the Lulungu river pass
es. This river. which constitutes con-
siderable afliuent of the Kongo, emp
ties Into the latter river, ON the south
bank, at a point some 800 miles from
the Atlantic coast. Within a short dis
lance of the confluence is to be found
a series of strongly fortified villages,
representing the headquarters of the
Ngombi, wherein numbers of slaves are
imprisoned pending the periodical visits
of traders from the Ubangi country,
which Is situated on the opposite side
of the Kongo.
A visit to one of these slave depots
at the mouth of the Lulungu river re-
yeals condition of savagery and suf-
ferlng beyond all ordinary powers of
description. At the period to which
these remarks bear reference, 1t was
no uncommon experience to witness at
one time upward of hundred captives,
of both sexes and of all ages, including
infants In their wretched mothers
arms. lying in groups; masses of utter
ly forlorn humanity, with eyes down
cast In stony stare, with bodies at
tenuated by starvation, and with skin
of that dull gray hue which among
colored races is always indicative of
physical distress.
In cases when 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 a hole
cut in the section of log, while
spearhead was driven into the wood
close beside the limb rendering 1t Inn
possible to move except at the ex-
pense of laceration. Other means to
insure the prisoners safe custody con-
sisted In binding both hands above the
head to the king post Of a hunt, or In
binding the arms and plating the hair
Into braid, which was made fast to
branch overhead.
AT intervals these villages We're visit
ed by the Ubangi, who came In large
| dugout war canoes, and the process
of barter commenced, elephant tusks
being the medium of currency used
in the purchase of the slaves. Upon
the conclusion of this unnatural trans
a.. -t,ft Ill a.
them as many of the individuals as
had been transferred to their posses
sion In the tedious process of bargain
ing.
Upon reaching their destination the
captives were, In most cases, sub
jected to many further ordeals, being
exchanged into other hands, until
eventually, after having been deliber-
ately fattened, they met their tragic
fate, and their bodies were consumed.
There is n prevalent belief among
many Of the riverine tribes Of the up
per Kongo that the favor of human
flesh Is improved by submerging the
prospective victim up to the neck In
the water for two or three days pre-
vious to the sacrifice. Indeed, upon two
separate occasions 1t was my privilege
to release several poor creatures who
were bound hand and foot to stakes
In the river.
In certain native market places, not
ably In the vicinity OF the Ubangi, II
is an ordinary occurrence for captives
to be exposed for sale, in most cases
with the sinister fate In view of being
killed and eaten. Proportionately, 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 In growing
and cooking food. This rule does not
however, hold good throughout, for In
the vicinity of the Aruimi river our OBJ
servations revealed contrary order OF
custom.
Probably the most inhuman practice
Of all is to be met with among the
tribes who deliberately hawk the vic
tim piecemeal while still alive. Incredi-
BILE as 1t may appear, the fact remains
justified by an only too abundant
proof. Captives are led from place to
place In order that individuals may
have the opportunity of indicating, by
external marks upon the body. the por-
ton they desire to acquire. The dis
tinguishing marks are generally made
by means OF colored clay or strips OF
grass tied In particular fashion.
The astounding stoicism of the vic
tim. who thus witnesses the bargaining
FOR hfs limbs Is only auitalad nv fha
callousness with which he walks for
ward to meet his fate. In explanation
OF the extraordinary Indifference thus
displayed it can only be assumed that
death is robbed OF all terror, life under
conditions OF slavery offering so little
attraction. Herbert Ward in Cassells