IN "THE CITY OF BLOOD."

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 160, 8 July 1899, Page 5 (Supplement)

IN "THE CITY OF BLOOD."

HUMAN SACRIFICES IN WEST AFRICA

A representative of Router's Agency had an interview with Major Crawford Cockburn, commandant at Benin city, who reached England a few days ago on leave after nine mouths' residence in what has come to be known as "The City of Blood." Major Cockburu has made a special study of "Ju-Ju," or the Fetish worship of the country, and has collected a quantity of valuable data on the subject. Like others who have inquired into the matter, he (luds its origin shrouded In mystery^ It Is still a most powerful factor In the lives of the natives, exercising enormous Influence over them.

While engaged in road construction at Sapoll Major Coekburn Incurred the displeasure of the people at one village, who objec-ted to the road. On the following day he found the "Ju-Ju's" of slaughtered goats and chickens placed in various positions for the purpose of bringing mlßfortune upon him aud his work. All over the Niger Coast Protectorate Major Coekburn found "JuJuism" rampant. To Impress the natives he used empty soda-water bottles as "white man's Ju-Ju," and he always found them to be regarded with the greatest superstition by the people, who would on no account remove them. Major Coekburn experienced some difficulty In the matter of the removal of sign-posts by the natives. To prevent this he simply surrounded them with bottles, which he solemnly declared to be "Ju-Ju," after which they were never tampered with.

Referring to the question of human sacrifices, Major Coekburn said:—"Coming down the river we picked up n body with arms and legs cut off, evidently the Ylctlm of sacrifice." Since the occupation of Benin city these practices have, of course, not been carried on openly. Every house still contains its sacriiical altar, and tho natives continue to smear their walls and doorposts with blood, which they now obtain from animals instead of human beings. At Idumo, the head-quarterse of Ologbosheri, human sacrifices continue, the wretched victims being cut up, crucified, or subjected to other forms of torture. The expedition which Is about to be sent against this chief will speedily end all that . During tho past year many peaceable inhabitants and friends of the Government have been sacrificed. Owing to the depredations of Ologbosherl and Abohun It has not been safe for Europeans to cross the creek two miles from Benin without an escort. Only recently a resident at Benin city visited a town eight miles distant, where a large market is held. Suddenly a rumour, unfounded as it happened, was current that Ologbosheri was about to attack the place, and in less than five minutes the thousands of natives attending the market fled, and the place was deserted. This will show what power he exercises.

Among his followers are a number of the King of Benin's soldiers, who never surrendered, but who remain with him and defy the Government. It is said that the chief Abohun wished to surrender, but Ologbosheri, who has refused repeated in-

vitntlous to come in, has prevented him doing so. Ologbosheri is very strongly fortified, and our spies report that for li to two miles round his stronghold traps, rifle pits, and stockade 3 abound. His camp extends over two miles, and is surrounded by a deep ditch. For the past six months he had been strengthening his position by every means in his power. Many of these facts wore revealed during the reconnaisance made by Captains Jacksons and Henniker and Mr Granville, Political Officer. During this reconnaisance a slight skirmish occurred, but at the time it was hoped that peaceable measures would prevail with Ologbosheri, and the force withdrew. Since then no British officer has been near his camp, and native spies have been employed. ,

In reply to questions. Major Coekburn said the natives to the south of Benin city are perfectly friendly, as, indeed, they are all except Ologbosheri's following. The country to the east and south-east of the city beyond Ikpoha Creek is unknown, and probably unfriendly. In Benin city there is now a native council, which meets twice weekly to try cases, the decisions afterwards being referred to the Resident. Benin city Is greatly overgrown with rapid tropical vegetation, and some danger is occasioned by the number of wells, 40 to 60 feet deep, the months of which arc concealed by overgrowth. Many of these wells are half full of the bodies of the King's victims. Trade prospects are good; there is abundance of gum, copal, rubber, palm oil, mahogany, Ironwood, aud there are yollow quinine trees and tobacco. Thevo has been so far no traco of gold, bnt, Judging by the King's ornaments, It exists somewhere In tho neighbourhood.