Indian Vlogger Visits Cannibal Tribe, Video Goes Viral
Overview
An Indian travel vlogger, Dheeraj Meena, recently embarked on a journey to meet the Korowai tribe in the remote jungles of Indonesia. The Korowai are historically known for their association with cannibalism—eating human flesh. Meena documented his visit and shared it on social media, sparking widespread attention. His videos, particularly one about the tribe’s past practices, have gone viral, with one clip gathering over 35 million views on Instagram
The Korowai Tribe: A History of Isolation
The Korowai people, native to the Papua province of Indonesia, have lived in isolation for centuries. They traditionally survived through hunting, fishing, and gathering. While they’ve been depicted in modern media for their historical cannibalistic practices, it is believed that this has largely faded with time.
Meena shared that reaching the tribe involved a flight, followed by a 10-hour boat ride and a 4-hour trek through dense forests. He noted that, in line with their customs, the Korowai do not wear clothes, and men and women live in separate houses. The tribe resides in treehouses built high above the ground for protection.
Cannibalism in Korowai Culture
In one of his videos, Meena directly asked a Korowai man about their cannibalistic history. The tribe member explained that his father’s generation practiced cannibalism as recently as 16 years ago, especially during tribal conflicts. He clarified, however, that this tradition is no longer followed.
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The Korowai’s cannibalistic practices were typically linked to conflicts between different groups within the tribe, often resulting in the capture and killing of rivals.
What Does Human Flesh Taste Like?
Meena also inquired about the taste of human flesh, a question that has sparked significant curiosity but is rarely documented due to ethical concerns. The Korowai man responded that, while his father consumed human flesh, the practice had ended in the tribe.
According to historical sources and accounts from anthropologists, human meat has been described as tasting somewhat like pork or veal, with a texture similar to beef.
The Decline of Cannibalism and Its Myth
While the Korowai were known for ritual cannibalism in the past, contemporary research suggests that the practice largely disappeared by the 21st century as the tribe made more contact with the outside world. Some believe that the tribe continues to talk about cannibalism to attract tourists, as the myth of their cannibalistic practices has become a major draw for visitors.
Anthropologist Chris Ballard once noted that many of these groups play up the cannibalism myth to cater to tourists interested in this aspect of their history.
Source: Inputs from various media SourcesÂ
Priya Bairagi
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
