The most brutal ruler of the 20th century: the African cannibal emperor who ate his opponents
The most brutal ruler of the 20th century: the African cannibal emperor who ate his opponents

Video: The most brutal ruler of the 20th century: the African cannibal emperor who ate his opponents

Video: The most brutal ruler of the 20th century: the African cannibal emperor who ate his opponents
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Coronation of Bokassa, Cannibal Emperor of the Central African Republic
Coronation of Bokassa, Cannibal Emperor of the Central African Republic

History knows many examples of cruel tyrants and despots who came to power in different countries of the world. One of the most inhuman rulers - Jean Bedel Bokassa, the emperor of the Central African Republic, famous for his addiction to … eating the human body. Cannibal led the country in a military coup, and then dealt with the opposition in the most brutal way.

The name Bokassa still inspires horror on the inhabitants of the African country, because there were legends about the inhumanity of this ruler. In his youth, Bokassa made a military career, took part in World War II on the side of the French army. Returning to the Central African Republic, he initiated the "New Year's coup", overthrew his own uncle, who was in power at that time, and took the chair of the head of state.

Diplomatic reception. Bokassa with his ebony cane, which the emperor usually used to stab any of his opponents
Diplomatic reception. Bokassa with his ebony cane, which the emperor usually used to stab any of his opponents

Bokassa became famous for his greed and gluttony: he appointed himself the permanent ruler of the Central African Republic and held a coronation, on which they spent $ 20 million (this amount was much more than the country's annual budget!). Ruling a poor country, he did not hesitate to order himself a throne of pure gold weighing 2 tons.

Bokassa in Artek
Bokassa in Artek

The emperor was famous for his polygamy; in total, the cannibal ruler had 17 wives and 77 officially recognized children. The monarch was practically not involved in the upbringing of the heirs, the only thing that he strictly forbade was to try "sugar pork" (as the cannibal called human meat). The reason was simple: Bokassa was worried that, having felt the taste of human flesh, his sons would also want to dethrone him.

Salute to pioneers from Bokassa
Salute to pioneers from Bokassa

But the emperor himself gladly dined on his enemies. It is inconceivable to imagine, but Bokass's sick fantasy dictated terrible entertainment to him: opponents were often served for dinner, stuffed with rice and vegetables. To enhance the effect, he could invite the victim's family to the dining room, no one could disobey, because this was fraught with execution. In addition, Bokassa often "made fun" of diplomats who visited the Central African Republic: he served "sugar pork" under various sauces. On foreign trips, the man-eating emperor always took with him a suitcase with special canned food, which he called "sardines".

Bokassa's meeting with the pioneers during his visit to the USSR
Bokassa's meeting with the pioneers during his visit to the USSR

Bokassa loved to feast on women who seemed to him the most beautiful. Some of his wives suffered this fate, and the winner of the first beauty contest held in the Central African Republic by order of the emperor did not escape it. The girl did not live even 24 hours, having won …

The cannibal emperor with his wife and son
The cannibal emperor with his wife and son

Bokassa's reign lasted until 1979, after which he was overthrown and ended up in the dock. Many charges were brought forward, among other things Bokassa was supposed to answer for massacres, embezzlement of public funds and cannibalism. Cannibalism could not be proved, despite the fact that many bodies of his opponents were found in the emperor's refrigerators, Bokassa insisted that he killed for ritual purposes, but did not eat his opponents. The politician was sentenced to death, which was later commuted to 20 years in prison, but in fact he was amnestied in 1993, having spent 6 years in prison. He died a few years later in complete oblivion from a heart attack.

It is not terrible, but whole tribes of cannibals still live in the modern world. Korowai tribe in Papua New Guinea distinguished by particular cruelty …

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