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,^[1] 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),^[2] as well as some Native American cultures such as the Mayoruna people.^[3] Ya?nomamö 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.^[4] The Aghoris of northern India consume the flesh of the dead floated in the Ganges in pursuit of immortality and supernatural powers.^[5]

See also

• Exocannibalism
• Kuru (disease)

References

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