Cannibalism is a term that often evokes strong reactions, but its definition is straightforward. At its core, it refers to the practice of humans consuming the flesh of other humans.

The word itself has a fascinating history. It entered the English language from Spanish, derived from the name Columbus gave to the Carib people of the West Indies: 'Caníbales'. He had heard they were man-eaters, though these accounts were likely sensationalised. The term, rooted in colonial encounters, quickly became synonymous with the practice.

Anthropologists distinguish between two main types of cannibalism based on the relationship between the consumer and the consumed. The key difference is whether the person being eaten belongs to the same social group.

Exocannibalism is often associated with warfare or aggression, where eating an enemy was seen as an ultimate act of domination. Endocannibalism, on the other hand, was typically part of a ritual process, often related to funerary practices and showing reverence for the dead.

Understanding these distinctions is the first step. They move the concept away from simple horror and towards a more nuanced view of a complex human behaviour, separating the act itself from its varied and often misunderstood motivations.