What term describes the Yanomami belief that one must consume the remains of deceased loved ones to reunite with them in the afterlife?

The term that describes the Yanomami belief in consuming the remains of deceased loved ones to reunite with them in the afterlife is endo-cannibalism. This practice involves the consumption of individuals from within one's own social group or community, especially in the context of honoring and mourning the dead. For the Yanomami, consuming the remains of deceased family members is seen as a way to maintain a connection with them, facilitating their passage into the afterlife and integrating their spirit within the living community.

Endo-cannibalism contrasts with exo-cannibalism, which refers to the consumption of individuals from outside one's own social group, typically enemies or outsiders. Mortuary cannibalism is a broader term that can encompass various practices surrounding the treatment of the dead, but in the specific context of the Yanomami's beliefs about afterlife reunion, endo-cannibalism is the most precise term. Ritual sacrifice typically refers to the act of offering an individual to deities or spirits, which does not align with the Yanomami's practice of honoring their deceased through consumption.