HORRIBLE HUMAN SACRIFICE IN AFRICA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2674, 31 August 1889, Page 6 (Supplement)

HORRIBLE HUMAN SACRIFICE IN AFRICA.

1 FiiOM New Calabar comes news of a most ■ revolting sacrifice. It seems that a few months ago the old King of Eboe died, 1 aud, as is customary in that part of the 5 country, the traders from New Calabar ' went up to pay their respects to the new monarch. The traders were aware that ! for a short time after the old king's ■ death the "Inlu " rites were performed, but they thought that these were over. The deceased mouareh's name was Imphy, 1 and, to the horror of the English traders, the"lu Iu " ceremonies were at their | highest when they entered Eboe town. 1 The rites had been in operation for about ! two months, and already about forty people had been slain to appease the " Iu 1 Iu " gods. The old king was then lying in a grave which had been dug for him 1 The hole was a large one aud deep Lying iu the same grave were nine of tin king's youngest wives, and their deathi had been brought about in the most crue manner. Each of the poor creatures hai both their wrists aud ankles broken, s< that she could neither walk nor crawl. Ii this state, aud suffering the most excruci ating pain, the nnfortunte creatures wen placed at the bottom of the grave, sever of them lying side by side. The body oi the king was then laid on them in ,i transverse direction. The two remaining women were laid down by the side of the kins, lying exactly like the monarch't body. No food or water was giren tc the poor creatures, who were left in that position to die. It is said that death did not, as a rule, take place for four or fire days. Four men were stationed round the grave, armed with clubs, ready to knock back with these weapons any of the women who, notwithstanding their maimed conditiou, were able to crawl to the side of the grave. In other parts of the town further human sacrifices wero taking place. Suspended from various trees were the bodies of several men. These poor fellows were also enduring the most agonising death. In most instances holes had been bored through their feet just by the ankles. Through the holes ropes were drawn, and the men were then tied to a high tree. Their heads were, of course, hanging downwards. The men were then left to die. The traders, as they were proceeding along, wero unwilling witnesses of a frightful sacrifical execution. They saw u number of natives in a groop, and went to ihe spot to see what was taking place. To their horror the white meu saw a native tied by the feet and neck. The rope to the neck was thrown over a tree in one direction, and the ropo attached to tho feet was tied to a tree in the opposite direction. The ropes were then drawn tightly, aud, when the body was distended to its utmost length, another native with a hatchet struck the neck, and severed the head from the body. The head was. taken to the grave whore the king waß lying, whilst the body was eaten by the cannibal The white men could do nothing to stop the barbarous practices, as to interfere with those "religious customs" would not be tolerated by tho natives, and the lives of the traders would Jhave boon iu peril. They therefore made as quick a rotreat from tho town as they could. Tho traders learned th:it for each of tho following ten months thero was to be a sacrifice of seven men.