Anthropophagy

/ænθroʊˈpɑfədʒi/ noun

Definition

The practice or custom of eating human flesh; cannibalism.

Etymology

From Greek anthropos (human) + phagia (eating). First appeared in English in the 16th century through contact with travel narratives and colonial accounts.

Kelly Says

Anthropophagy as a widespread practice is mostly a European fantasy—modern anthropology shows it was rare or ritualistic when it occurred, but the word was used to paint entire civilizations as 'savage,' shaping centuries of prejudice.

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