endocannibalism

Endocannibalism is the practice of eating the flesh of deceased members of one's own social group. The term distinguishes this practice from exocannibalism, the eating of individuals from outside one’s group. Throughout history and across regions, endocannibalism has appeared as a mortuary or honor-based ritual rather than a purely dietary act.

There are two broad forms: funerary endocannibalism, performed as part of mourning and to honor the dead, and ritual or symbolic endocannibalism, which seeks to incorporate the deceased's life force, status, or virtues into the living community. In some cases certain tissues or body parts were consumed; in others the deceased's ashes or accompanying offerings accompanied the ritual. Not all instances involved whole-body consumption.

Notable examples include the Fore of Papua New Guinea, where funerary cannibalism was historically practiced and linked to kuru, a prion disease transmitted through ingestion of infected brain tissue; the Wari' people of Brazil also practiced endocannibalism as a mortuary rite until recent decades. Other groups in Melanesia and the Amazon have reported similar rituals in past centuries, though practices have largely declined with external contact, missionization, and public health measures.

In modern discussions, researchers emphasize cultural context and ethical dimensions, while noting potential health risks. Most contemporary communities have abandoned endocannibalism or transformed rituals into non-ingestive f