How to Avoid More Cases of Cannibalism

First, the old punching bags of ‘it’s because of poverty…or corruption’ and that kind of narration has been fundamentally challenged.

Secondly, academic prescriptions count for naught. An expert psychologist who attempted an analysis of the act on Nation Television was, evidently, mumbling. You know, about the ego; the super ego; and the Id.

When a person confesses to slaughtering another person and ingesting the flesh, no psychoanalysis can wholly explain the act. Any attempt would involve an application of so many psychological perspectives that could constitute a faculty at the university.

It is also worth note that, incidences of cannibalism are coming from the west. In Africa, such instances have been associated with guerilla revolutionists, such as the notorious Joseph Kony of the Lords Resistance Movement based in Northern Uganda.

In the two highly published incidences: Alexander Kinyua and Rudy Eugene, (top right and bottom left respectively) there is no evidence of poverty, corruption or HIV/AIDS to blame.

In the both cases the perpetrators were in a superior position to the victim. Kinyua, for instance, feasted on a person whom his family had taken in; Rudy attacked a homeless person.

It is not, therefore, a case of the revolt of the poor. Indeed, it appears, the attacks are spontaneous and without any clear motive.

The gut with which they did it has led to a focus of the role of drugs. In one other case from Canada within the same time frame, the perpetrator, described as a porn star, whatever that means, delivered dismembered body via post office.

This may point to two things, both being the flip of the each other: one is that the amount of stress has gone up disproportionate to the rate of human evolution. Those not capable of coping are snapping - inform of drug abuse and, now, cannibalism.

This can be addressed through targeted programs aimed at helping the weak to cope e.g. social programs for the homeless, the elderly and indeed, the young and, hence, restless.

Secondly, it could be a case of a society that is steadily loosing its moral bearing. This is more of attitude problem. That a person can eat someone else points towards an individualistic and introverted beings where the welfare of the neighbor is not a concern.

The two pence piece of advice is to work from within out. As an individual, perhaps, this is a good reason why you should begin by counting your blessings. One by one. One of them being the fact that you have been able to cope thus far.

On the same breath, it would be better to listen to the neighbor – you kid, parent, friend, enemy and so on. Listening is therapeutic.

Third, seek to talk it out on someone you trust. Or, know what works for you.

Lastly, offer encouragement where needed.

It’s the good old truism: Man is a social animal. Thus, a dysfunctional society is likely to be associated with increased maladjusted beings.