Is cannibalism a sociological theme?

Answer 1

It depends on which society you look at.

Catholic Communion is a good look at symbolic cannibalism...body of christ, blood of christ....you get the idea.

Nailbiting, biting dead skin,booger eating(children) and other similar behaviors would be endocannibalism.

Some tribes in Africa practice a ritual cannibalism of sorts though too. When a tribe member is deceased, their body is cremated. The ashes are then made into a soup, which is shared by the tribe, so as to imbue each person with a piece of the deceased's spirit.

So...sociological theme? Sure. Maybe not totally, but at least partially.

Answer 2

I think it usually had more social significance than just a source of food.
In many societies where it was practiced, it was considered a means of "taking" something from the eaten person. For instance, if your enemy showed great courage, you might eat his heart in order to gain that courage for yourself. If he was very smart, then you might eat his brain, - legs, if he were a very fast runner, or upper arm and shoulder muscles if he seemed to have great strength, etc.
I think it was in regards to some pre-Celtic tribes in the British Isles that I originally read this.

Answer 3

Yes because it was practiced by some socities as part pf their culture.