Can you imagine eating human flesh? This was the topic discussed by Magnus Suderlund, Swedish scientist in Gastro summit 2019. As per Magnus, humans should now start to eat humans.
It can save earth. The climate change is so conspicuous that we can ignore it but we can’t escape from its effect. The effect is global hunger. So a new form of cannibalism, eating human flesh is needed as mentioned by this professor from the Stockholm School of Economics. The term cannibalism is coined from a group named as Caribs. From Caribs group Canibe was extracted. And finally from the term Canibe the actual term cannibals was originated.
As per some historical writings Columbus coined the term Cannibals. It was referred to an indigenous people in Guadaloupe Island. It is also believed that Columbus and the queen of Spain had connived and stigmatized people of that community as human eaters for some economic benefits. In the 15th Century, a brown powder named as Mumia was used to cure certain medical complicacy and diseases like epilepsy, hemorrhage and nausea. This Mumia powder was made by mummified human flesh. This powder was medically approved at that time in Europe. In real, there is less documented evidence to support cannibalism. On the contrary, there are many tales and narratives which also support this disgust act.
Culture plays a significant role in promoting cannibalism. “Fore people” in New Guinea eat their own dead relatives as a community event. This form of culturally induced cannibalism is regarded as a ritual honour. Eating human flesh by fellow community members spread a disease, which is known as Kuru. This kuru disease is fatal in nature.
In some parts of China, young offspring (sons and daughters) would offer their own flesh from thighs or fingers to their sick and weak parents as a food to recover from illness or disease. This type of cannibalism is called as filial cannibalism. Another tribe lives in Papua and Indonesia called as Korowai tribe is believed to be cannibals. They eat human flesh as a tradition and a part of culture. Myths spin around Aghori or Aghori sadhus who live near the Ganga river in India that they lead a mystic life with cannibalism tendencies.
In the year 1972, some passengers waited for a long time and started to eat other dead co-passengers in Andes plane Crash. This type of cannibalism is accepted because of extra ordinary circumstance. Famine and unfortunate expeditions are the examples where people eat the bodies of the dead. They eat to save themselves from starving to death.
The Journal of Forensic Science has categorized the cannibals as pathological cannibals. Paraphilia a state of pathological cannibals is referred to those who experience an extreme form of sexual desire which are gratified by dangerous activities. Nithari case, Noida in the year 2006 is the best example to refer the paraphilia cannibals.
The businessman Moninder Singh Pandher in Nithari and his servant were accused of killing more than 10 children and suspected to consume children’s livers and other body parts.
Another type of pathological cannibalism is the result of severe psychotic mental illness. It was reported in the year 2020 , in Uttar Pradesh when a man was arrested for attempting to cook human flesh. Later that man was identified as mentally unsound. Ego, narcissism and mental imbalance instigate this act of eating human flesh. It is reported that in the year 2008, a Maoist killed a man suspecting him to be a police informer in Naxal-hit district Malkangiri and ate his flesh in full public. This act was done to terrorise the villagers.
Cannibalism is a savage act. In India we don’t have any specific law against it. It still exists in a covert form with a cultural and psychological shield. Many biologists studied this cannibal behavior among species.
But in case of humans it is a taboo. Tribal and aboriginals are dehumanized and demonized as cannibals. Most of us are to some extent cannibals because we eat animal meat. Scientifically, there is less difference between human flesh and animal flesh.
(The writer is Assistant Professor, Sophitorium Group of Institutions, Khordha. Mob: 8456879522)