Cannibalism (lexicon)
In the times before the Underworld, attitudes towards death were very different than today. This is important to keep in mind when adressing such contemporaneously sensitive topics as cannibalism. Lazy scholars use them to condemn, good scholars to understand.
Among the various "Inmills" races (as prejudiced later generations have dubbed a very diverse group, psychologically as well as physiologically) cannibalism was common, though only in very specific and ritualized contexts. Chemical analysis of coprolites has shed light on a fascinating variety of practices.
The Bragjtri, for instance, kept very detailed records of reincarnation and also had very specific mummification practices. Upon reaching adulthood, a Bragjtrios would consume the body of her previous incarnation at a special feast. Bragjtri populations that gave up this practice seem to have declined rapidly, mentally as well as spiritually.
The Gigaton, by contrast, initiated reincarnation through the practice of autocannibalism: a Gigato would eat herself, and from the same body and same soul would there be a new Gigato. They viewed this as a form of freedom, being able to re-constitute themselves whenever they liked.
Bands of the warrior Nekos regenerated by eating the bodies of their fallen comrades; one who had lost an arm could eat an arm, and grow it back, and so on.
And just as the Amerpsands policed other sea races by eating them, they naturally policed themselves by eating each other.
- Falling Leaves Professor, University of the Shogun
