“…cannibals…We had enlisted some of these chaps on the way for a crew.” (pg. 42)
Cannibalism is the act or practice of eating human flesh. Along the Congo River there are multiple tribes that are believed to be of cannibalistic nature. The Engombe tribe, for instance, lives along a portion of the river which has been named the abattoir, or slaughterhouse. Cannibalism, among other acts of violence, is one of the reasons why the Congo River has gained a reputation for being so mysterious and hazardous. Conrad included these carnivorous people not only to illustrate how dangerous the territory was, but also to show how some people would go to desperate measures to get what they wanted.
"Howstuffworks "How the Congo River Works"" Howstuffworks "History" Web. 12 Aug. 2009. http://history.howstuffworks.com/african-history/congo-river.htm/printable
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