Endocannibalism

Endocannibalism

Endocannibalism (from Greek "Endo-" "internal" or "from within" and cannibalism) is the term which describes the practice of eating dead members of one's own culture, tribe or social group. The practice may have a variety of purposes, including an attempt to absorb the characteristics of the deceased, the belief that by eating human flesh there is a regeneration of life after death, [cite web | url = http://www.deathreference.com/Bl-Ce/Cannibalism.html | title = Cannibalism | accessdate = 2008-02-13 | publisher = Encyclopedia of Death and Dying] the incorporation of the spirit of the dead into living descendants, or to ensure the separation of the soul from the body.

As a cultural practice

Some Indigenous Australians performed such practices as acts of respect for the dead person (presumably as a sign of the dead person's worth), [cite web | url = http://www.britannica.com/eb/topic-186851/endocannibalism | title = Endocannibalism (ritual) | publisher = Encyclopedia Britannica | accessdate = 2008-02-13 ] as well as some Native American cultures such as the Mayoruna people. [cite book |author=Dorn, Georgette M.; Tenenbaum, Barbara A. |title=Encyclopedia of Latin American history and culture |publisher=C. Scribner's Sons |location=New York |year=1996 |pages= |isbn=0684192535 |oclc= |doi= Pages 535-537.] Ya̧nomamö consumed the ground-up bones and ashes of cremated kinsmen in an act of mourning. This still is classified as endocannibalism, although, strictly speaking, "flesh" is not eaten. [ [http://users.rcn.com/salski/No18-19Folder/Endocannibalism.htm Endocannibalism of the Yanomami] ] The Aghoris of northern India consume the flesh of the dead floated in the Ganges in pursuit of immortality and supernatural powers. [cite news | url= http://newsfromrussia.com/world/2005/10/27/66369_.html | title = Indian cannibal sect eats human corpses, believing it give them supernatural powers | date = 2005-10-25 | accessdate = 2008-02-13 | publisher = Pravada ]

ee also

* Exocannibalism
* Kuru (disease)

References


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