Cannibalism is the characteristic, particularity or condition of a cannibal, that is, one who practices the act of eating a living being of the same species.
The term cannibalism arose because of an indigenous community that inhabited the Caribbean region, and that performed rituals where human flesh was consumed. During the Spanish Christopher Columbus' exploration of the region, the Spaniards were terrified of this practice and named it "cannibals"(in reference to the Caribbean region) to the Indians.
Cannibal acts are often considered synonymous with cannibalism, however, cannibalism cannot be understood as a full synonym of anthropophagy.
The term anthropophagy, from the greek anthropophagy ("anthropo" = "man" and "phagia" = "eat"), is the act of eating human flesh. Just human flesh.
Cannibalism is the act of eating a living being of the same species (a human being eating another human being, for example). That is, if an animal eats another animal, but of a different species, it cannot be considered a cannibal, but only an anthropophagous (a lion eating a man, for example).
Currently, cannibalism is still a common practice in satanic rituals or in some pagan religions, where an individual must serve as a sacrifice in honor of a god or entity. Members of these sects, religions or cults believe that by eating human flesh they will be able to invigorate their spiritual strength and energies, since they are also "eating" the soul of the sacrificed.
human cannibalism
O human cannibalism it is denoted by the action or behavioral manner of extreme brutality. In ancient societies, the act of eating human flesh in rituals and ceremonies had a justified feature in popular religious belief.
Currently, cannibalism is considered a crime in every country in the western world. The cannibal figure is repudiated, being even treated as a patient with mental illnesses or disorders, due to his cruel nature and lack of empathy for the suffering of others.
In some isolated cases, human cannibalism is practiced as a last resort for the survival of an individual or group of people, who usually find themselves isolated and without any other source of food.
Cannibalism in Brazil
Cannibalism in Brazil was a very common practice among the Indians of the Tupinambá tribe, who practiced it as part of a war ritual.
They consumed the flesh of opposing warriors in order to "absorb the bravery and courage" of the enemy. Being eaten was considered one of the most honorable ways to die, because it meant that the warrior was brave and had a strong enough spirit to attract the "hunger" of the Tupinambás.
cannibalism in biology
Cannibalism is present in several species of animals. In this case, it is an ecological relationship in which weakened animals are usually eliminated through natural selection.
In some types of spiders, scorpions and in certain species of insects (such as the praying mantis), for example, there is a ritual practiced among females which consists in devouring males of the same species after mating.
See also the meaning of Anthropophagy.
