Cannibalism Around the World

From a necessary act of survival to some of the most disturbing crimes in history to its often sensationalized and misunderstood role in certain cultures, cannibalism remains a fascinating yet taboo topic. Cannibalism around the World features more than 100 reference entries that examine cannibalism from a myriad of perspectives. Readers will discover the important cultural, spiritual, and symbolic roles cannibalism has played around the globe, from the Catholic Eucharist to sacrificial cannibalism among the Aztecs to appease the gods to the practice of some Fijian peoples of consuming enemies killed in battle to absorb their strength. The encyclopedia examines well-known incidents of survival cannibalism, such as the ill-fated Donner Party and the starvation conditions of labor camps during World War II. Entries on high-profile criminal cannibals such as Jeffrey Dahmer are also included. The book also explores cannibalism in written and oral stories, such as the fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel and the Native American myth of the Wendigo. Cannibalism’s portrayal in pop culture is also discussed. Taken together, these entries offer readers a broad yet highly nuanced view of this controversial subject grounded in rigorous anthropological scholarship.