Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-10-30
CONGO COUNTRY CANNIBALIsM.

might be recOrQoQ IN 1lluSCFaLlOu VI Cu6
organized 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 con-
stitutes a considerable afiuent of the
Congo, 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 fortified villages, representing
the headquarters of the Ngombi,
wherein numbers of slaves are impris-
oned pending the periodical visits OF
traders from the Ubangi country,
which is situated on the opposite side
of the Congo. A visit to one of these
slave depots at the mouth of the Lu-
lungu river reveals a condition OF
savagery and suffering beyond all or
binary power of description. At the
period to which these remarks bear
reference it was no uncommon expert
ence to witness at one time upward OF
hundred captives of both sexes and
wretched mothers arms, lying in
groups; masses of 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 colOred races
is always indicative of physical dis
tress.
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
spearhead was driven into the wood
close beside the limb, rendering it i'm
possible to move except at the expense
of 1aceration. Other means to insure
the prisoners safe custody consisted
in binding both hands above the head
to the kingpost of hut, or in bind
| ing the arms and plating the hair into
braid, which was made fast to
branch overhead. At intervals these
villages were visited 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 transaction, the visitors re-
! tired, taking with them as many Of
the individuals as had been trans
ferred to their possession in the tedi-
GUS process of bargaining. Upon reach
ing their destination the captives were
in most cases subjected to many fur
Their ordeals, being exchanged into
other hands, until eventually, after
having been deliberately fattened,
they met their tragic fate, and their
bodies were consumed.
There is a prevalent belief among
many of the river tribes of the Up
per Congo that the flavor Of human
flesh is improved by submerging the
prospective victim up to the neck in
water for two or three days previous
to the sacrifice. Indeed, upon two
separate occasions it was my privi-
lege to release several poor creatures
who were bound hand and foot to
stakes in the river. In certain ma
tive market places, notably in the
vicinity of the Ubangi, it is an ordi-
nary occurrence for captives to be ex-
posed for sale, in most cases with the
sinister fate in view of being killed
and eaten. PrOpOrtionateIy, a greater
number of men than women fall vic
tins to cannibalism, the reason being
that women who are still young are
esteemed as being of greater value, by
reason of utility in growing and cook
ing food This rule does not, however,
| hold good throughout, for in the vi
cinity of the Aruimi river our obser-
vations 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 piecemeal while still alive. In
credible as it may appear, the fact re-
mains justified by an only too abund
ant 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 cOlored clay, or
strips of grass tied in a particular
fashion. The astounding stoicism of
the victim, who thus witnesses the
bargaining for his limbs, is only
equaled by the callousness with which
| he walks forward 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 ttraction.-Cassells
! Magazine.
WHAT THE "FTTNNY BONE" IS.