Cannibalism

Cannibalism is the act or practice of eating members of one's own species and usually refers to humans eating other humans (sometimes called anthropophagy). Cannibalism has been attributed to many different tribes and races in the past, but the degree to which it has actually occurred and been socially sanctioned is an extremely controversial topic in anthropology. Some anthropologists argue that cannibalism has been almost non-existent and view claims of cannibalism with extreme skepticism, while others argue that the practice was common in pre-state societies.

Cannibalism in war

Cannibalism is known to have been practised by the participants of the First Crusade. Some of the crusaders fed on the bodies of their dead opponents after the capture of the Arab town of Ma'arat. It was also practised by foraging parties on the later stages of the march on Jerusalem. In both cases, it seems possible that it may have been due to a combination of causes; in addition to hunger, there was also the feverish state of mind of the crusaders, and perhaps a desire to terrorise their opponents. Some Crusaders refused to eat the bodies of fellow Christians, but were not averse to eating the bodies of defeated Muslims.

Related Topics:
First Crusade - Ma'arat

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Some people claim cannibalism took place during the WWII siege of Leningrad. http://observer.guardian.co.uk/life/story/0,6903,605454,00.html http://condor.depaul.edu/~rrotenbe/aeer/aeer13_2/Dickenson.html http://www.sovietarmy.com/books/leningrad.html

Related Topics:
WWII - Siege of Leningrad

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During the Norman invasion of England (1069ad) there were widespread reports of cannibalism. Some texts say that human flesh was sold on the streets of London.

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Some American Indian tribes believed that by eating part of your enemy one could gain a particular characteristic of the deceased rival (Ex: Eating the heart of a brave opponent would help you gain more courage). References to cannibalising the enemy has also been seen in poetry written when China was repressed in the Song Dynasty (12th century). (See Yue Fei)

Related Topics:
Song Dynasty - Yue Fei

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Documentary and forensic evidence supports eyewitness accounts of cannibalism by Japanese troops during World War II. This practice was resorted to when food ran out, even with Japanese soldiers killing and eating each other when enemy civilians were not available. In other cases, enemy soldiers were executed and then dissected.

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Cannibalism was reported by at least one reliable witness, the journalist Neil Davis during the South East asian wars of the 1960s and 1970s. Davis reported that Khmer(Cambodian) troops ritually ate portions of the slain enemy, typically the liver. However he also reports that cannibalism was also practised non-ritually when food supply ran short, particularly when towns were under siege. For details see Davis's biography "One Crowded Hour" by Tim Bowden.

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Cannibalism has been reported in several recent African conflicts, including the Second Congo War, and the civil wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Typically, this is apparently done in desperation, as during peacetime cannibalism is much less frequent. Even so, it is sometimes directed at certain groups believed to be relatively helpless, such as Congo Pygmies. It is also rumoured that African traditional healers sometimes use the body parts of children in their medicine.

Related Topics:
African - Second Congo War - Liberia - Sierra Leone - Pygmies - African traditional healers

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