Cannibalism in humans

Cannibalism in Humans

Cannibalism in humans, also known as anthropophagy, is the act of humans eating the flesh or internal organs of other human beings. This practice has been recorded in various cultures throughout history and has been the subject of extensive study in anthropology, sociology, and history.

Historical Context

Cannibalism has been practiced by various cultures around the world, often in ritualistic or survival contexts. It is important to distinguish between different types of cannibalism:

• Endocannibalism: The consumption of individuals from within one's own social group, often as part of funerary rites.
• Exocannibalism: The consumption of individuals from outside one's social group, often as a form of warfare or aggression.

Prehistoric Evidence

Archaeological evidence suggests that cannibalism was practiced by early humans and hominins. Sites such as Gough's Cave in England and Krapina in Croatia have provided evidence of cut marks on bones, indicating butchery and consumption.

Cultural Practices

In some cultures, cannibalism was part of religious or cultural rituals. For example, the Fore people of Papua New Guinea practiced endocannibalism as part of their mortuary rites, which led to the spread of the disease kuru.

Medical Implications

Cannibalism can have significant health implications, particularly the transmission of prion diseases. The most notable example is kuru, a neurodegenerative disorder that affected the Fore people.

Kuru

Kuru is a prion disease that was transmitted through the practice of consuming human brain tissue. Symptoms include tremors, loss of coordination, and eventually death. The disease was studied extensively by Carleton Gajdusek, who received the Nobel Prize for his work.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Cannibalism is illegal in most countries and is considered a taboo in modern society. Legal cases involving cannibalism often involve charges of murder or desecration of a corpse.

Cannibalism in Popular Culture

Cannibalism has been a recurring theme in literature, film, and media. Works such as "The Silence of the Lambs" and "Alive" explore the psychological and survival aspects of cannibalism.

See Also

• Prion disease
• Cultural anthropology
• Survival cannibalism

References

• Diamond, Jared. The World Until Yesterday: What Can We Learn from Traditional Societies? Viking, 2012.
• Lindenbaum, Shirley. Kuru Sorcery: Disease and Danger in the New Guinea Highlands. Mayfield Publishing Company, 1979.

External Links

• World Health Organization: Prion Diseases