In a remote corner of the Amazon rainforest, among the indigenous tribes of the Yanomami people, a cultural norm exists that would indeed be shocking and deviant to many Americans. It’s a practice known as “endocannibalism.”

Among the Yanomami, endocannibalism is a ceremonial act in which deceased relatives’ bodies are cremated, and their ashes are mixed with a fermented plantain soup, which the community members then consume. This practice is rooted in the belief that by consuming the ashes of their loved ones, they can incorporate their spirits into themselves, ensuring the continuity of their presence within the tribe.

While this practice may seem highly unusual and taboo to Western cultures, it serves as a profound expression of grief and a way for the Yanomami people to honor and remember their deceased family members. It’s essential to recognize that cultural norms and practices can vary significantly worldwide, and what may be shocking in one culture can be deeply meaningful in another.