Cannibalism Essay

Words: 1531
Pages: 7
Open Document
Cannibalism is the consumption of human flesh by other human beings. The concept of people eating other people is highly debatable, but it has been proven to occur throughout history. The word “cannibalism” comes from the Carib Indians of the West Indies, which were called “Caribales" or “Canibales” (Spier 543). The Spanish word “canibales” translates to thirsty and cruel in English. Another known term for cannibalism is the Latin form “anthropophagy” (Bell). Anthropophagy derives from the Greek words “anthropos” meaning man and “phagein” meaning eat. The term anthropophagy was used in ancient times, which suggests that people from ancient times consumed other human beings (Spier 543).
The first documented encounter of cannibalism …show more content…
It’s also used in some cases to get rid of captured enemies or to send a message to an opposing group. The other form is endocannibalism which is the consumption of a deceased member within one’s group or tribe. It usually occurs during burial ceremonies and is seen as “compassionate cannibalism.” One of the beliefs is that by consuming the deceased group member, the spirit and the desirable traits of the person would be absorbed by the entire tribe. This was considered to be a very respectful way of worshipping the dead. Another belief was sacrificing, which was used by the ancient Aztecs. The Aztecs are believed to have practiced exo-, endo-, and survival cannibalism. They used sacrificing to please their gods, and cannibalism was used as a holy act. It allowed people to receive divine powers through communication with their gods (Bell).
Along with survival and spiritual cannibalism, there are also a few more forms of cannibalism. One form is gastronomic cannibalism which is when consumption is purposely done. The person uses human flesh as a routine food source; although, this method is not well documented. Another form is medicinal cannibalism which is when parts of the human body are consumed for medicinal purposes. Parts of the body consumed would be human tissues, blood, powdered bone, or dried tissues. The last form is sadistic cannibalism which is when the person has a psychiatric disorder which leads to
Show More

Related Documents: Cannibalism Essay

Essay on Cannibalism: Cannibalism and Recorded History Cannibalism

Cannibalism: A demonized taboo Cannibalism disgusts many, the sheer thought of one human eating another is the fabric that the scariest fictional monsters and real life monsters are made from. That being said there is much more to cannibalism than the topical Hollywood versions and the versions that live as fears in the minds of many. The almost universal aversion to cannibalistic acts is unique in that it is such a strong taboo that it may seem to most as though cannibalism is unarguably vile…

Words 2315 - Pages 10

Survival Cannibalism

been studying the past of cannibalism for years. Despite evidence across the world and in our DNA, many anthropologist have refute this, saying there is no physical evidence people were eaten. Meaning nobody has ever seen it happen. With the help of new technology, anthropologists have been able debunk this mystery. To start off, first understand reasons why it happens. The most common ones are survival cannibalism and cannibalism as psychopathology. Survival cannibalism is the consumption of others…

Words 1311 - Pages 6

Cannibalism In Liberia

approached in a different way causing it to be more different from the one directed by Vice. Here BBC News keep it formal and they don’t show themselves getting involved in the crisis but as a news source that is just trying to capture this issue of cannibalism. They make the viewers a little emotional about the issue of Christians and Muslims killing each other. BBC raises an issue of how Muslims and Christians should stay in their own territories. They deliver their news different from Vice. They make…

Words 1417 - Pages 6

Swift Cannibalism

I’ve never read something like this before. The author seems to talk about cannibalism in a very calm attitude. It is as if he is talking about a very sad time in Ireland, when people didn’t have enough money or food to provide for their children. To overcome this problem Swift came with different solutions but they are all unacceptable for society. I don’t agree with swift, as the solution to providing for one’s kids should never involve selling your own kids or eating them. The author also did…

Words 147 - Pages 1

Cannibalism In Jamestown

Time,” diseases spread and many starved due to limited food. In fact, some were executed because they raided food from the colonists’ stashes, some will fed on horses and rodents, and others will eat snakes and serpents, and others will even do cannibalism. A man even murdered his own wife and ate her, and he was tortured by his actions.…

Words 287 - Pages 2

Maggie Kilgour's Cannibalism

relatively proscribed actions seem to entice the public through their exoticness and rarity. Maggie Kilgour discusses the fundamental incentive behind one’s need to act on their curiosity when she presents the following statement “The focus on cannibalism today seems to reflect our current desire to renegotiate difference and relation with others in a multicultural world in which the idea of the ‘savage’ and, indeed even ‘nature’ is questioned” (viii). Whether it be considered deviant and appalling…

Words 2280 - Pages 10

Cannibalism the Idea Essay

25th, 2013 Sociology H Cannibalism The idea of eating human flesh by other human beings has been around for quite some time, and is now commonly known as cannibalism. The technical term for cannibalism is anthropophagy, which comes from anthropos meaning "human being" and phagein meaning "to eat". When and where cannibalism was started is not known, but there are many stories, writings, and first hand accounts which prove that it is real. The practice known as cannibalism is wide spread from century…

Words 1162 - Pages 5

The Role Of Cannibalism In Ancient Civilizations

Evidence of cannibalism has been found in the cultures of numerous ancient civilizations, some of which include Egypt, China, and the Aztecs. In today’s society most people find the idea of cannibalism to be rather disturbing, however, it played an important role within the societies of many ancient cultures. Cannibalism still exists to an extent today, however, most modern civilizations view the consumption of human flesh as immoral or psychotic. While there isn’t a lot of information known on why…

Words 400 - Pages 2

Analysis Of Cannibalism Among Dinosaurs

dinosaurs fed among their own kind. Ray Rogers whom has been leading the ten-year excavation states in the article that there are at least 14 current day animals that still practice cannibalism such as lions, komodo dragons, crocodiles, hyenas, black bears and grasshopper mice, but in contrast, any evidence of cannibalism among dinosaurs is sparse. This article was also particularly interesting to me because this is a recent find and there is little to no literature published concerning the idea…

Words 1246 - Pages 5

Brief Summary Cannibalism In The Yanomami Tribe

tribe. Cannibalism is the act of eating the flesh of humans. There are two major types of cannibalism, endocannibalism and exocannibalism.…

Words 1240 - Pages 5