The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-11
Christian Funeral Services Followed
by the Burial Rites of south
African Savages.
FIFTEEN OXEN SACRIFICED
BY THE BLACKS TO THE SHADE OF
THE GREAT DEAD CHIEF.
Impressive Scene on n Wind-Swept
kOpje-MemOriaI Services Held
in London.

BULUWAYO, Matabeland, April 10
Amid an immense throng of soldiers, civil
ians and natives the body of Cecil Rhodes
was to-day committed to it's rock tomb in
the Matoppo hills. The coffin was shrouded
in a union jack and the wreath sent by
Queen Alexandra was laid upon it as it was
lowered into the grave. The funeral party
started from Fuller's Hotel early this
morning. The procession was five miles
long as it wound through the hills and
gorges. Every sort of conveyance was
made use of. Some were on foot. others
were on horseback or on bicycles, while
still others were in wagons and carriages.
When the procession was a mile from the
grave everybody dismounted and con-
cluded the journey on foot. Twelve oxen
hauled the coffin to the almost inaccessible
summit of the kopje, where the chiefs
Shembli, Faku and Umgula and two thou
sand natives had assembled to witness the
Christian interment rites which were after
wards supplemented in their own fashion
by the sacrifice of fifteen oxen to the shade
of the great dead chief.
Thousands of white persons cOngregated
around the wind-swept hill The grave
was encircled by six powders. The inter-
ment was extremely impressive. The dead
march echoed through the hills and the ma
tiveS stood like statues. Tears were in the
eyes of many of the onlOokers. The bishop
of Mashonaland, who conducted the inter-
ment service, said: 81 consecrate this place
forever. Here he thought, here he lived
and died for the empire"
When the coffin was lowered into the
tomb chlSelled in the solid rock all those
present sang "Old Hundred" and Now the
Laborer's Task is Ger" The remainder of
the funeral service was chanted and the
band played the dead march from Saul. ."
The tomb was covered with Wreaths. AT
the close of the ceremony those present
slowly inspected the spot where Mr.. Rhodes
lies buried and threw flowers upon the
grave. DR.. Jameson, Col. Francis Rhodes
and all the other mourners left Buluwayo
tonight on a special train.
The scene around Cecil Rhodess farm the
night preceding his interment most
traordinary. The whole population of Bulu-
wayo seemed TO be moving there to camp,
and as the darkness closed down the camp
fires sparkled in all directions. The people,
in every sort of vehicle and on foot, ar
rived at the camp throughout the entire
night. Some natives tramped 100 miles in
order TO be present at the interment. The
men wore big SLOUGH hats and shirts with
short sleeves Morning revealed an inn
mense camp in a lovely valley bright with
sun light. Mighty kopjes and granite
powders walled it on every side. The diff
cult ascent TO the place of burial was &C
cOmplished by 3 o'clock in the morning and
the obSequies were concluded at 1890.
After the bishop of Mashonaland had read
the poem written for the occasion by Rud-
yard Kipling, Sekombo, the great Induna
and orator of the Matabele made speech
Umsiligazi, the founder of the Matabel ma
ton, are buried on the Matoppo hills and
the Matabele now consider that the spirit
of Umsiligazi is with that of Cecil Rhodes.