Acts of cannibalism in Africa have been reported from various parts of the continent, ranging from prehistoric times until the 21st century. The possibly oldest evidence of human cannibalism has been found in Kenya in eastern Africa. There is little evidence of later cannibalism in East Africa, but the Ugandan dictator Idi Amin was reputed to practise it, and acts of voluntary and forced cannibalism have been reported from the South Sudanese Civil War.
While the oldest known written mention of cannibalism is from the tomb of the Egyptian king Unas, later evidence from Egypt shows it to only re-appear during occasional episodes of severe famine.
Sarcophagus and funerary chamber in the Pyramid of Unas, where the Cannibal Hymn was found
A sculpture by Paul Wissaert depicting a leopard man, 1913
An Igbo market, photographed by George Basden in the early 20th century
Royal canoe of the Kingdom of Bonny, 1890
The Kingdom of Bonny, otherwise known as Grand Bonny, is a traditional state based on the town of Bonny in Rivers State, Nigeria. In the pre-colonial period, it was an important slave trading port, later trading palm oil products.
During the 19th century the British became increasingly involved in the internal affairs of the kingdom, in 1886 assuming control under a protectorate treaty. Today the King of Bonny has a largely ceremonial role.
The Monitor Lizard, totem of the war god Ikuba and heraldic beast of Bonny's classical kings.
The Curlew, totem of the kingdom as a whole and heraldic beast of its modern kings.
Royal Canoe of the Kingdom of Bonny, 1890
Bonny Chiefs with a Naval Commandant in 1896