GK: Did you know that these five countries have a history of cannibalism?

Last updated:November 22, 2025, 2:12 pm IST

GK: This article lists countries where documented, researched, and verified instances of human cannibalism once occurred.

Ancient Roman accounts suggest that Celts in Britain engaged in sacrificial cannibalism. (AI generated image)

Human cannibalism has been recorded in various parts of the world throughout history. It was often linked to warfare, ritual beliefs, existential crises, or systems of punishment. While modern nations no longer practice it, historical records, archaeological findings, and anthropological studies suggest that it existed in some areas in the past.

This article lists countries where documented, researched, and verified instances of human cannibalism once occurred.

Papua New Guinea Famous for its historical records on cannibalism. Many highland tribes engaged in cannibalism until the mid-20th century. The Fore people, in particular, were known to practice endocannibalism, meaning, they ate dead relatives as a part of their mourning rituals. However, this practice resulted in the spread of the deadly brain disease kuru, which attracted global scientific interest. The practice died out completely after the 1950s due to government prohibitions and health awareness campaigns.

Early European explorers were once mentioned fiji as “Cannibal Island”, although this term was often exaggerated. Historical records verify that some Fijian chiefs engaged in ritual cannibalism to signal power during wars. However, by the late 1800s, the practice stopped entirely due to social reforms and the spread of Christianity.

In Democratic Republic of CongoHistorical texts and colonial records mention isolated instances of cannibalism among warrior groups. More recently, during conflicts in the 1990s and early 2000s, reports emerged of armed combatants engaging in cannibalism as part of their terror tactics. These actions were not cultural traditions but were associated with war and cruelty and were condemned globally.

Mexico Also linked to cannibalism. Archaeological evidence suggests that some ancient Mesoamerican groups practiced cannibalism in religious and ceremonial contexts. For example, the Aztecs practiced religious rituals in which parts of the bodies of sacrificial victims were eaten. There is no connection between modern Mexican society and these ancient practices.

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