Definition of the word cannibalism

The term "cannibalism" originated from the Spanish and Portuguese word "caníbalo," which was used to describe the indigenous people they encountered in the Americas who were accused of consuming human flesh. The word was originally applied to the Carib peoples of the Antilles, who were believed to capture and consume their enemies during wars. The excessive brutality depicted by the explorers in these indigenous tribes contributed to the popularity of the term "cannibalism," which was soon applied to other indigenous peoples across the New World. This stereotype of indigenous peoples as savage and uncivilized deeply influenced the views of Europeans towards these cultures, contributing significantly to their mistreatment and displacement during colonialism. The use of the term "cannibalism" has also been applied to various other cultures throughout history, such as the Aztecs and Mayans in Mesoamerica and the Han dynasty in China, where it was associated with religious or cultural practices. According to historical accounts, however, consumption of human flesh was not as frequent or widespread as commonly believed, and many of the accusations by European explorers were based on cultural misunderstandings and misinterpretations. Today, the term "cannibalism" is primarily used to describe certain pathological psychological disorders and extreme survival circumstances, such as instances of starvation or traumatized individuals excessive consumption of human flesh.