Unveiling the Depths of Cannibalism

Cannibalism, a haunting and repulsive practice, challenges understanding of humanity itself.
The act of killing and consuming another human being is fundamentally immoral and
universally recognised as unlawful. Cannibalism is also motivated by the need to feed on
the blood of others, especially young women.
Delving into the darkest corners of human history, one encounters unsettling tales of
individuals succumbing to their most primal instincts.
Considered a highly taboo subject, cannibalism involves examining its historical context,
psychological implications, and current status in a world where such acts remain rare yet
continue to haunt the collective consciousness of human kind.
Also, cannibalism involves social stigmatisation, and cultural perspectives and continues to
evoke fear, repulsion, and fascination in a world where it mostly exists in the realm of myth,
fiction, and occasional horrific crimes.
In July 2022, Bulawayo-based, weekly publication, The Sunday News, reported that 38 year-
old Wished Mumpande from Dinde Village, in Hwange District in Matabeleland North
Province, had gruesomely murdered his 62-year-old uncle, from Bhale Village, under Chief
Nekatambe area. Mumpande then reportedly dismembered his uncle's body, cooked and
ate the remains, and hung the intestines and other body parts on a tree to dry.
In yet another disturbing incident, Thandolwenkosi Ndlovu (20) is the suspect in five
murders between August 28 to September 4, this year in Harare. He targeted "street kids”
and other children on the streets while they slept, crushing them and using broken bottles
to remove their genitals and other body parts. The suspect then boiled or grilled the parts
over an open fire and consumed them in the Harare Central Business District.
When it comes to understanding the motivations behind cannibalistic acts, it is important to
consider a range of factors that can potentially contribute to such behaviour. While each
case is unique, there are some common themes that emerge in historical and contemporary
examples.
However some cases of cannibalism have been linked to money making rituals. Those
seeking riches are said to consult the occult world where there are told to kill someone and
use their body parts to enhance their businesses.
Although it has not been proved to work, the fact that some people are doing it with the aid
of corrupt and evil n’angas means some do believe in this practice.
Only this year did the case involving seven-year-old Tapiwa Makore from Murehwa come to
a conclusion. The boy was murdered in cold blood on September 17, 2020 by Tafadzwa

Shamba with the instructions from the boy’s uncle Tapiwa Makore Snr to remove some
body parts. Right up to the end of the trial, the missing body parts had not been found and
are believed to have been used for ritual purposes.
However, the President of the Zimbabwe National Healers Association, (Zinatha) George
Kandiero, begs to differ.
"People rush to think that there are some rituals which will be taking place. On the other hand we
have to look into it that we have people who are insane and mentally unstable who then commit this
crime.
“Ritual practices exist in other cultures, such as eating human flesh to gain power and wealth. Of
course, our culture and Zimbabwe rejects such practices and methods. We have not heard of any of
our traditional practitioners engaging in ritual killings, as these are usually misinterpreted and spread
through social media, gossip in pubs. Such activities, if they do indeed occur, are not traditional and
have nothing to do with our cultural practitioners,” said the Zinatha president.
Buttressing his organisation’s dislike of such practices, he added: "We would like to give a stern
warning that just killing a human being is very sacred and that's why you see most of these people
get caught because a person is not an animal. It is a spiritual being that's why most of these things
come to light because you have harmed another human being.”
A professor of sociology and consultant in gender, occupational sociology and higher
education, Prof Rudo Gaidzanwa, said: “I think those who do that will be looking for money,
they will have been told that if you want money you should do something extra ordinary
(zvinoyera).
“Eating body parts tells us more – there might be someone who told him/her that if you eat
people’s meat you will become rich or you will be paid big money.”
In other cases, cannibalistic behaviour may stem from psychological disorders, such as
sadism or psychosis. These individuals may experience a distorted sense of reality, engaging
in acts of extreme violence and consuming human flesh as a means of exerting power or
control over others.
Forensic studies have explored cases where individuals with sadistic or antisocial tendencies
have engaged in cannibalism, often involving sexual or ritualistic elements.
Cultural and religious beliefs can also play a role in driving individuals to commit
cannibalistic acts. In certain tribes or societies, ritual cannibalism has been practiced as part
of religious ceremonies or as a means of acquiring spiritual power. These practices are often
deeply ingrained in the cultural fabric and are tied to specific beliefs about the transfer of
qualities or energies through consuming human flesh.
It is important to note that cannibalism remains an extreme and rare occurrence in the
modern world. Legal frameworks and social stigmatisation make it clear that the vast
majority of societies view such acts as abhorrent and morally unacceptable.

However, understanding the historical, psychological, and cultural factors that have led to
cannibalism in the past can help shed light on the complex web of human motivations and
the potential dark depths of the human psyche.
Cannibalism, a subject steeped in horror and revulsion, challenges human understanding of
what it means to be human. Examining its historical context, psychological implications, and
contemporary perspectives helps shed light on this taboo practice. Confronting the
unsettling depths of cannibalism serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between
humanity and non-humans.