Punishm ents

Punishments

The brutal punishments the slaves were exposed to I believe is one of the reasons why this period of our history is tabooed and difficult to deal with.

Follow is translated descriptions of some punishments to illustrate the brutality of our colonial era.

The bomba’s long whip was frequently used. The actual punishment resulted in a various number of whips, which the sinner received lying on the ground, and often the wounds worn out by the beats was poured with brine and Spanish peppers, something that caused unpleasant pain but at the same time healed. Was the penalty awarded by the plantation owner personally, the slave had to acknowledge the punishment with a: “Danke baas” - Thank You Master! (Mentze, 1981, p.104)

Some was put on the wheel living or got both feet cut off. (Mentze, 1981, p.104)

Some slaves were punished beyond death. It is stated in a report: His dead body was dug up, dragged by a horse through the city and then by the right leg suspended in a gallows for later to be taken down and burned on fire. (Mentze, 1981, p.104)