Cannibalism

Cannibalism

• Word comes from W. Indies cannibal tribe
• May be cultural
• May be a result of famine
• May be a result of mental illness

Endocannibalism

• Eating of a person from the same community
• Often ritualized, part of funeral proceedings
• Can be a result of famine - Donner Party
• But often a result of cultural practices and not starvation

Mythology

• Monsters - Wendigo, Lamia, Baba Yaga
• Repeated meme in Greek mythology
• Appearance in myth may be result of environmental conditions
• Commonly a taboo, in Greek myths it often results in divine punishment

Impracticability

• Causes brain disease - Kuru (the shakes)
• Promotes conflict with other tribes
• Promotes internal conflict when other tribes run dry
• Though, genes resistant to Kuru are common around the world
• Spread of disease through consumption of diseased matter

So, if you are in a post-apocalyptic wilderness or other strange land and you are invited in for tea by people who have 'the shakes' BEWARE!