World cannibalism map

[Deleted]

Cannibalism is believed to have been practiced by the Neanderthals and, in a more or less ritualistic context, by many ancient (modern) human cultures the world over. The object of the practice seems not to have been hunger so much as power – eating others is the ultimate way of establishing dominance over them, and/or acquiring their strength.

This map, from the German/Austrian publisher A. Hartleben, dating from the early 20th century, presents of the range of anthropophagy, both contemporary (in red) and historical (in yellow).

Remarkably, Europe is completely cannibal-free. Are there really no historical records of anthropophagy in Europe’s ancient history?

Africa is marked with some historically cannibalistic tribes as well as a few still active ones, mainly in what was then still deepest, darkest Africa.

The whole of Asia is blighted only by the past sins of a Siberian tribe and – bet the Dalai Lama never brags about this – the Tibetans. Indonesia, Micronesia and the rest of Oceania are marked by many instances of cannibalism, in Australia, New Guinea, Borneo and Sumatra. Maori cannibalism has been stamped out in New Zealand and many (but not all) of the archipelagos to its north.

Anthropophagy was widespread in North America (according to this map at least). Cannibalism also was a well-established practice in Central and South America and still ongoing with some Brazilian tribes.

It should be remembered that cannibalism probably was over-reported – people in previous centuries being as fascinated by the taboo as we are – and often used as a propaganda tool: cannibalism providing the ultimate yardstick for barbarity, and the ideal excuse to subjugate the peoples accused of it.

[hwinpp]

I just read an article that stated a form of cannibalism used to be practiced in all of Europe right up to the 18th century. Human body parts were used in medicines. Depends a bit on how you define cannibalism.
What is much more disturbing for me is something I just heard last week from a friend of mine who earned his money as a doctor and then became a journalist, covering the Indochinese wars and also the south Philippines. He says that in each and every one of these conflicts parts of the vanquished were eaten by victorious soldiers.

Most recently in Europe of course when the Ukraine was left to starve by Stalin. Also China during the Great Leap forward and the Cultural Revolution.

[spindrift]

yes, I suppose it still goes on. It would be considered the ultimate power.