African Cannibalism in the Sixteenth Century. 



In turning over Pigafetta's version of the nanative of Lopez, 

 which I have quoted above, I came upon so curious and unex- 

 pected an anticipation, by some two centuries and a half, of one 

 of the most startling parts of M. Du Chaillu's narrative, that I 

 cannot refrain from drawing attention to it in a note, although 

 I must confess that the subject is not strictly relevant to the 

 matter in hand. 



In the fifth chapter of the first book of the " Descriptio," 

 " Concerning the north era part of the Kingdom of Congo and 

 its boundaries," is mentioned a people whose king is called 

 " Maniloango," and who live under the equator, and as far 

 westward as Cape Lopez. This appears to be the country now 

 inhabited by the Ogobai and Bakalai according to M. Du 

 Chaillu. " Beyond these dwell another people called 'Anzi- 

 ques,' of incredible ferocity, for they eat one another, sparing 

 neither friends nor relations." 



These people are armed with small bows bound tightly round 

 with snake skins, and strung with a reed or rush. Their arrows, 

 short and slender, but made, of hard wood, are shot with great 

 rapidity. They have iron axes, the handles of which are bound 

 round with snake skins, and swords with scabbards of the same 

 material ; for defensive armour they employ elephant hides. 

 They cut their skins when young, so as to produce scars. " Their 

 butchers' shops are filled with human flesh instead of that of 

 oxen or sheep. For they eat the enemies whom they take in 

 battle. They fatten, slay and devour their slaves also, unless 



