Montaigne in `Of Cannibals' disputes the conventional and the stereotypical notions that European adventurers had made of the cannibal society and he would as a matter of fact go a long way to give a different and logical meaning the story of the Mayan ballgame where the loser was sacrificed. In the novel, ‘Of Cannibals”, Montaigne not only seek to convince his readers that cannibal society were not as bad as the Europeans depicted them, but that they were self-sufficient societies who were at peace with one another, knew no inequality and they respected nature. Unlike the Europeans who believed that their culture was superior, cannibal societies were indeed in peace and harmony. In relation to the Mayan ball game in which the loser would be …show more content…
Their basic religious beliefs maintain that ‘soul is immortal.’ Thus, believing that those who have lived a fulfilling life are considered “lodged” where the sun rises, ‘and those who are damned in the west.’ They have a priest who acts as a prophet whom they hardly see because he resides in the mountains. When priest does come into town, Cannibals have a great celebration with feasts and dancing. The priest lectures them on morals which only details ‘unfaltering courage in war’ and “affection to their women”. He also tells them what is to come and gives advice on prophets of war. False prophets are ‘cut into a thousand pieces’. They found it one of the most terrible things to fake a gift from God and believed it a fitting punishment. In warfare, the Cannibals are considered barbaric. They go to war naked with bows or wooden swords. Following battles, a Cannibal brings home the “head of the enemy he has slain.” If a man has taken a prisoner he keeps him and treats him well until it is decided that he will eat the prisoner, “not, as one might suppose, for nourishment but to signify an extreme revenge.” In general, the nature of their warfare is noble: “their only motive being a zeal for valor.” It is unnecessary to the Cannibals to “conquer new territory.” Interestingly enough, “they are still in that happy state of not desiring more than their natural needs