Cannibalism was once widespread and possibly still exists today on which island?

This massive island north of Australia has a long and well-documented history of ritual cannibalism among many of its diverse tribal groups. Far from being a simple act of hunger, the practice was deeply embedded in cultural and spiritual beliefs. For some groups, consuming the flesh of a rival warrior was a way to absorb his strength and humiliate his clan. For others, it was an act of reverence; funerary cannibalism involved consuming parts of deceased relatives to preserve their spirit within the community.

Perhaps the most famous example comes from the Fore people of the eastern highlands. Their practice of consuming the brains of the dead led to the spread of a fatal prion disease called Kuru, or "the laughing sickness," which caused victims to lose control of their limbs and emotions. After Australian authorities and missionaries helped end the practice in the mid-20th century, the disease virtually disappeared, providing a clear link between the ritual and the illness.

While widespread cannibalism has ceased, the island's extreme remoteness means some practices may have lingered. The Korowai people of the Indonesian side of the island are among the last groups in the world believed to have practiced cannibalism into the 21st century. Anthropologists report it was not a dietary staple but a form of ritual justice, reserved for individuals believed to be "khakhua," or male witches, who were blamed for mysterious deaths in the tribe. While confirmed modern instances are exceedingly rare, the island's rugged terrain and isolated cultures continue to fuel speculation.