Ratu Udre Udre
Ratu Udre Udre | |
---|---|
![]() Udre Udre's burial ground in Rakiraki | |
Born | unknown |
Died | 1840 Northern Fiji |
Cause of death | Gunshot wounds (?) |
Nationality | Fijian |
Occupation | Cannibal, Ratu |
Years active | ?-1840 |
Known for | Being the "most prolific cannibal" during the 19th century |
Ratu Udre Udre (pronounced [uɳɖe 'uɳɖe], /ʊndreɪ ˈʊndreɪ/; died 1840) was a Fijian chief. He is listed by Guinness World Records as "most prolific cannibal" — during the early 19th century, he reportedly ate "between 872 and 999 people",[1] although differing accounts give different totals of how many people he cannibalised (most say his murder count is only around 99).[2] The total of 87 was based on "a row of smallish stones extending about 200 yards" near where Udre Udre lived, with each stone placed by Udre Udre to account for a person he had eaten.[3]
Udre Udre is believed to have been shot and killed by colonial government officials in 1840, however the manner of his death is still undocumented.
His victims were not normal people, but they were "spoils of war." Every person that he killed and ate was in return of a war victory. All of the people that he ate were "spoils of war."
References[]
- ^ "Most prolific cannibal". guinnessworldrecords.com. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
- ^ "99 pleasures of the flesh". Ottawa Journal. Canada. CP. February 23, 1980. p. 2. Retrieved July 18, 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Mystery surrounds Udre Udre's victim count". Fiji Times. January 21, 2014. Retrieved July 18, 2020 – via suncoastfiji.org.
External links[]
- Most Prolific Cannibal (GBWR) at the Wayback Machine (archived September 29, 2004)
- Fijian chiefs
- People from Rakiraki
- Fijian cannibals
- Oceanian rulers
- 1840 deaths
- Fijian people stubs