Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-11
CONGO CANNIBALS.
Victims Exhibited That Purchasers
May Select Choice Cuts.

From Cassells Magazine.
OF the numerous instances that might be
recorded In illustration of the organized
traffic in human beings which exists, refer
ence may be made to the conditions which
hold in the, district through which the Luz
lungu river passes This river, which con-
stitutes a considerable aff1uent of the Con-
go, empties into the latter river on 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 series of strongly-fortifted villages,
representing the headquarters of the Ngom-
bi. wherein numbers of slaves are linprls-
oned pending the periodical visits OF trad
ers from the Ubangi country, Whlch Is
situated on the opposite side OF the congo.
A visit to one of these slave depotS at the
mouth of the Lulungu river reveals con,
dition of savagery and suffering beyond all
ordinary powers of description. AT the
period to which these remarks bear refer
ence 1t was no uncommon experience 10 W.
ness at one time upward of hundred cap
tives of both sexes and of all ages, IN
Guiding infants in their wretched mothers
arms. lying in groups; masses or utterly
forlorn humanity, with eyes downcast IN
a stony stare with bodies attenuated by
starvation, and with skin of that dull gray
hue which among coored races is always
indicative of physical distress.
In cases when a suspicion existed OF an
.
escape such unfortunate creature was
doomed to lie hobbled with one foot forced
through hole cut in the section OF a log,
while a spearhead was driven into the wood
close beside the limb, rendering 1t 1mpoS-
sible 10 move except at the expense of lac
Grafton. Other means to insure the prs
oner's safe custody consisted in binding
both hands above the head to the kingpost
of a hut or in binding the arms and plait-
ing the hair into braid which was made
fast to a branch overhead. At intervals
these villages We're visited by the Ubansi,
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. pom the
conclusion of this unnatural transaction.
the visitors retired, taking with them as
many of the individuals had been trans
ferred to their possession in the tedious
process of bargaining. Upon reaching their
destination the capuNes were in most cases
subjected to many further ordeaiS, being
exchanged into other hands, until event.
uaIIy, after having been deliberately fat
tened they met their tragic fate, and their
bodies We're consumed.
There is prevalent belief among many
of the riverine tribes of the Upper Congo
that the flavor of human flesh is improved
by submerg1ng the prospective victim up
to the neck in water for two or three days
previous to 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.
the vicinity of the Ubangi, it 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. Proper
tionately. a greater number of men than
women fall victims to cannbalism, the rea-
son being that women who still young
are esteemed being of grea value. by
reason of utility in growing nd cooking
food This rule does not, he Tever, hold
good throughout for in the vicinity of the
Aruirni river our observations revealed
contrary order Of custom.
Probably the most inhuman practice of
all is to be met with among the tribes who
deliberately hawk the victim pecemeal
while still alive. Incredible it may APP
pear, 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 portion
they desire to acquire. The distinguishing
marks are, generally made by means of col
ored clay or strips of grass tied in par
ticular fashion,, The astounding stoicism of
the victim, who thus witnesses the bar
gaining fer his limbs is only equaled by
the callousnesss with which he walks for
ward to meet his fate. In explanation of
the extraordinary Indifference thus display
ed it can only be assumed that death is
robbed of all terror, life under conditions
of slavery offering so little attraction.