Edible People: The Historical Consumption of Slaves and Foreigners and the Cannibalistic Trade in Human Flesh

Anthropology of Food & Nutrition #11

by Christian Siefkes

While human cannibalism has attracted considerable notice and controversy, certain aspects of the practice have received scant attention. These include the connection between cannibalism and the capture and consumption of unwanted strangers. Likewise ignored is the connection to the fact that in some societies slaves and persons captured in slave raids could be, and were, killed and eaten. This book explores these largely forgotten practices and ignored connections while making explicit the links between cannibal acts, imperialist influences and the role of capitalist trading practices. These are highly important for the history of the slave trade and for understanding the colonialist history of Africa.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Race

550 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 13, 2022

Reviews

[Christopher Hobart]

Though written in a format reminiscent of an academic work this book has the pacing of a less formal book. Heavy on references to earlier source material that is often difficult to casually peruse, this book does a great job of presenting an informed narrative without judgement in a subject which is, to say the least, controversial. Excellent read if you have the stomach for it.

[Roger]

the grim reality of cannibalism in various regions of the world.

Discuss here provides a comprehensive look at the written description of cannibalism as witnessed by various Western explorers and missionaries as well as from Chinese historians noting cannibalism that was once practiced in their lands. The evidence provided and discussed is compelling and gruesome. The significant evidence of prehistoric cannibalism and cannibalism practiced in Pre-Columbian Americas are lacking but there inclusion would make the book too long. This is well worth a read for those with a strong stomach for horrifying details.

[Sdgvbhjkl]

Pretty decent anthology of historical facts about cannibalism, but it definitely could’ve been trimmed by about 40 pages