Cannibalism: Ancient Cultural Rituals, Acts of Desperation, and Acts of Psychological Deviancy

Abstract: An 8 page discussion of the societal considerations of cannibalism. Approaches cannibalism first from the ritualistic perspective of ancient cultures which in many case see the act as preserving the connection between living and dead and the passing of the attributes of the dead to the living. The author then approaches the topic of cannibalism from the perspective of those who must resort to cannibalism in order to survive catastrophic events. Provides examples of the 1992 air crash in the Andes and the Donner Party in the winter of 1846-1847 in which the survivors ate the flesh of those that died in order to live themselves. Concludes with an example of the psychological deviancy of cannibalism in such cases as that of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer who was convicted of killing and eating portions of the bodies of seventeen of his victims. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

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Catagory:

Subcatagory: Anthropology

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