Cannibalism In Africa, President Idd Amin Was Also Rumored To Practice The Vice

The Dani (also spelled Ndani) are an ethnic group from the Central Highlands of Western New Guinea in Baliem Valley, Highland Papua, Indonesia. Around 100,000 people live in the Baliem Valley, consisting of representatives of the Dani tribes in the lower and upper parts of the valley each 20,000 and 50,000 in the middle part (with a total of 90,000 people). The areas west of the Baliem Valley are inhabited by approx 180,000, representatives of the Lani people, incorrectly called “Western Dani”.[1] All inhabitants of Baliem Valley and the surrounding areas are often called Dani hence they are also sometimes conflated with other highland tribes such as Lani in the west; Walak in the north; Nduga, Mek, and Yali in the south and east.

They are one of the most populous tribes in the highlands and are found spread out through the highlands. The Dani are one of the best-known ethnic groups in Papua, due to the relatively numerous tourists who visit the Baliem Valley area where they predominate. Ndani meaning ‘people of the east’ is the name given to the Lani living east of the Moni, at the time misunderstood to refer to all inhabitants of the Baliem Valley, and while they call themselves Hubula (or Huwulra, Hugula, Hubla), they have been known as Dani since the 1926 Smithsonian Institution-Dutch Colonial Government expedition to New Guinea under Matthew Stirling who visited the Moni.

Cannibalism has been reported in various parts of Africa throughout history, with evidence dating back to prehistoric times. Here are some key points about cannibalism in Africa:

Prehistoric Evidence

1. Oldest evidence: 1.45 million years ago in Kenya, showing archaic humans consumed each other.
2. Archaeological evidence: Found among anatomically modern humans, but frequency unknown.

Historical Reports

1. East Africa: Ugandan dictator Idi Amin was rumored to practice cannibalism.
2. South Sudanese Civil War: Reports of voluntary and forced cannibalism.
3. Egypt: Written records of cannibalism date back to the tomb of King Unas; later evidence shows it occurred during severe famines.
4. West Africa: Muslim authors reported cannibalism in the 14th century; later accounts linked it to secret societies like the Leopard Society.
5. Nigeria: Various ethnic groups practiced cannibalism, often to express hatred, humiliate enemies, or due to meat scarcity.

Colonial Era and Beyond

1. Congo Basin: Cannibalism was prevalent in the late 19th century, with killed or captured enemies, enslaved people, and young children being consumed.
2. Colonial authorities: Did little to suppress cannibalism, which continued into the 1950s and 1960s.
3. Modern conflicts: Reports of cannibalism have surfaced during violent conflicts, including the Central African Republic Civil War.

Notable Cases

1. Jean-Bédel Bokassa: Dictator of the Central African Republic, rumored to have eaten opponents and prisoners in the 1970s.
2. Idi Amin: Ugandan dictator linked to cannibalism.