Endocannibalism: A Bizarre Death Ritual

Endocannibalism is a practice of eating the flesh of a human being from the same community (tribe, social group or society), usually after they have died.

There are no accounts of Endocannibalism in more modernized cultures but it has been reported in tribes across the globe. Aboriginal Australians are said to have partaken in this act of eating the flesh of the deceased. This practice of Endocannibalism has also been recorded in tribes in Papua New Guinea. The family or fellow tribesmen of the deceased individual are said to feast upon the flesh of their deceased member as it is believed to be a sign of post-mortem respect. Other tribes are said to consume the flesh in hopes of absorbing  some of the individual's wisdom or traits.

Chiefs of the West African Junken Tribe are said to eat pieces of their predecessors' hearts in hopes of maintaining his place abive the society in which he rules.