Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-08-28

death for years past to kill slaves in
the territory of the Congo Free State
upon the demise of a great person.
This had been the custom because it
was thought necessary that he should
have plenty of company on his jour
neE into the other world. Kings and
chiefs and other important persons
now have to make the journey alone.
This law is being strictly enforced, as
far as the authority of the State ex-
tends; and so the practice of human
sacrifices is gradually being wiped
out, says the New York Sum-
1t was horrible evil and the fact
that the whites are insisting upon it's
abolition is a blessing to Africa.
European influence is not always for
the good of Africans, but the war the
whites are waging with some OF the
hideous facts of barbarism, such as
human sacrifices, cannibalism, feticb-
ism and slave raiding, foot up large
balance in favor of the Caucasian in
his account with Africa.
The British are following the exam
pie Of the Congo Free State in deal
ing sternly with these evils. A recent
instance, to which a Roman Catholic
missionary has called attention. is
very interesting as showing the potent
influences for the protection of the
people that are getting a firm foothold
in the heart of tropical Africa
In 1899 the government of the
British was established over the
large country of Ubemba, which ex-
tends between Lakes Tanganyika and
Bangweolo. One of the most power
full chiefs of the tribe was Mwamba,
who lorded it over large district
near Bangweolo. He was finally
gathered to his fathers; and the
trouble the ruling family have been
put to in the matter of his burial is
regarded as important in the history
of his country, for it is believed to
mark the end of one of the savage
customs that have been depopulating
that country.
Mwamba had been dead for four
teen months, but he was not yet
buried. His friends kept his body
above the ground all this time in the
hope that they would finally soften
the obdurate hearts of the British,
who for some undoubtedly pad reason
were opposed to permitting the dead
ruler to enter the next world with an
escort BETTING his Importance For
Mwamba was g really great monarch
He had been tyrant whose name
was terror. He had mutilated a great
number of his subjects His crimes
were more numerous than the hairs
of his head 1t was not reasonable to
let him go into the other world with
out an escort worthy of his rank in
the world from which he had de-
parted
From time immemorial in that coun-
try the graves of defunct chiefs had
been the scenes of veritable butcher
les. It was the custom to drag the
victims to the tomb of the late i'm
portant parsonage; each one Of them
received on the head a single terrible
blow from an ak or club If the victim
succumbed, as was almost invariably
the case, this was a sure sign that his
or her presence was agreeable TO the
dead person. If he survived this
showed clearly that his room was pre-
ferred to his company and he was al
lowed to get well and thank his lucky
star.
The British were on the ground
keeping careful lookout to see that
no one should lose his life simply be
cause Mwamba had died. Members
of the ruling family repeatedly went
to the white men and reasoned with
them. Mwamba certainly needed
women to cook his food in the other
world. He required slaves to brush
away importunate flies and wives to
offer him the tribute of their adula-
ton. 1t fact, everybody who had been
connected with his court should be
inundated on his tomb or buried alive
in his grave. Surely the white men
would not punish the petitioners for
following the custom of the country
or paying due honor to the dead. But
the stern white men were unyieIding.
said, "on account of the death of
Mwamba you will pay the penalty
with your lives"
One of these visits to the British
occurred ten months after the death
of the chief.
Well" said the white man, "have |
you buried your chief yet
"How can we bury him when you |
will not permit us to give him any
companions? If we should bury
Mwamba simply as an ordinary NOR
tai he would avenge himself upon us
and bring terrible calamities upon
the countru'
They were informed again that if |
any effort was made to provide
Mwamba with an escort they would
form a part of it. Fourteen months I
passed and the body was still wrapped |
in cloth awaiting interment A depu-
tation was sent to the British to make
a last appeal.
"Mwamba, our chief, has now been
lead many months and his body is not
yet buried. We beg Of you to let US
bury with him at least a few slaves"
"No."
"Then. at least, just few OF his
women"
well, then, little child
mo, no, and once again, no.
There was nothing to be hoped for
rom the infexible British. About
he same time the report began to be
pread among the people that the chief
7ould be very well content to make J