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Resumo

This article explores the symbolic and material connections between cannibalism and animal predation in Amazonia. By examining ethnographic accounts of cannibalistic practices among various indigenous groups, the author argues that the consumption of both humans and animals is often embedded within a broader cosmological framework that blurs the boundaries between different species. The article challenges the traditional anthropological dichotomy between cannibalism as a social phenomenon and predation as a biological one, suggesting that both practices are intertwined and reflect a complex understanding of the relationship between humans and the natural world. Fausto analyzes how indigenous peoples classify and categorize different beings, including humans, animals, and spirits, and how these classifications inform their dietary practices. He also discusses the ritual significance of cannibalism, highlighting its role in maintaining social order, incorporating the power of enemies, and mediating relationships with the spiritual realm. The article concludes that cannibalism in Amazonia cannot be understood solely as an act of violence or savagery, but rather as a complex cultural practice with deep symbolic and ecological meanings.

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