I really like how this is about the beliefs behind ritual cannibalism, instead of the idea that cannibalistic societies just ate people like any other food.
I read a book on religion that mentioned these kind of beliefs, amongst other aspects of religion, and it really was an eye-opener into the variation of beliefs in human society. Thanks for you comment!
Great take on the topic. Cannibalism is so ingrained as being 'bad and evil' by most cultures, but you've really created a believable setting where you can see how it might not be so for some. Great job!
thank you. :) That's exactly what I was thinking - cannabilism has such a strong connotation of violence and evil in many cultures, but occasionally it is the complete opposite. it's really amazing how the biggest taboo can turn out not to be in the right situation.
I don't know that I personally would want to participate in this but, in a way, it makes sense how you presented it.
It makes me think of this quote I read once:
"Bronislaw Malinowski says, "I once talked to an old cannibal who, hearing of the Great War raging then in Europe, was most curious to know how we Europeans managed to eat such enormous quanties of human flesh. When I told him that Europeans do not eat their slain foes, he looked at me in shocked horror and asked what sort of barbarians we were, to kill without any real object."
thanks for your comment and the quote. I find it fascinating how we can all see another's customs as barbaric, and ours as normal, despite how weird we might seem to others.
I didn't find this ritual disturbing.ellakiteDecember 4 2011, 03:07:28 UTC
On the contrary: It is obviously meant to be loving and respectful for the departed, and to show that though they are "gone" they still live on in the people that they knew.
And honestly, it seems to me that most Christians ignore the cannabalistic aspects of their own beliefs. "This is my body. This is my blood."
Re: I didn't find this ritual disturbing.standgaleDecember 4 2011, 19:42:09 UTC
thank you for your comments :) Even though I wrote the story, I still find the ritual of the village heart-warming. I think you are right about Christian beliefs, and other familiar beliefs - for most people, and in most things, it's only weird when someone else is doing it. I think this might be human nature, but its still fascinating to examine
Thank you, I liked that snippet too. It wasn't really supposed to be shocking originally, my little bit reading on cannabilism as essentially a funeral rite had totally changed my thinking on this topic, but then I was reminded that some others might find it uncomfortable. We humans can be funny some times :) I'm glad you found an alternative aspect to focus on!
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Thanks for you comment!
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It makes me think of this quote I read once:
"Bronislaw Malinowski says, "I once talked to an old cannibal who, hearing of the Great War raging then in Europe, was most curious to know how we Europeans managed to eat such enormous quanties of human flesh. When I told him that Europeans do not eat their slain foes, he looked at me in shocked horror and asked what sort of barbarians we were, to kill without any real object."
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And honestly, it seems to me that most Christians ignore the cannabalistic aspects of their own beliefs. "This is my body. This is my blood."
A marvelous piece. Thank you for posting this.
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Even though I wrote the story, I still find the ritual of the village heart-warming. I think you are right about Christian beliefs, and other familiar beliefs - for most people, and in most things, it's only weird when someone else is doing it. I think this might be human nature, but its still fascinating to examine
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I know it's a piece about cannibalism and I should be all shocked, but I just wanted to point out how very much I loved this part.
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I'm glad you found an alternative aspect to focus on!
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