{"id":91618,"date":"2025-11-21T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-21T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/?p=91618"},"modified":"2025-11-21T11:19:40","modified_gmt":"2025-11-21T09:19:40","slug":"heartbreaking-tactic-ancestors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/it\/heartbreaking-tactic-ancestors\/","title":{"rendered":"The Heartbreaking Tactic Our Ancestors Used to Keep Their Communities Alive"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:66.666666666667%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-2::before{padding-top:56.333333333333%; }img#mv-trellis-img-2{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-3::before{padding-top:66.75%; }img#mv-trellis-img-3{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-4::before{padding-top:77.315914489311%; }img#mv-trellis-img-4{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-5::before{padding-top:66.666666666667%; }img#mv-trellis-img-5{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-6::before{padding-top:66.666666666667%; }img#mv-trellis-img-6{display:block;}<\/style>\n<p>Throughout history, desperate times have pushed our ancestors to make unimaginable choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Among these, one of the most haunting is <strong>sacrificing elders<\/strong> to ensure the survival of the young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a practice known by different names: &ldquo;ubasute&rdquo; in Japan and &ldquo;lapot&rdquo; in the Balkans. It reveals just how severe survival struggles once were.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When resources were scarce, entire communities faced impossible decisions that tore at their core values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Origins of the Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-91650\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-6.jpg\" alt=\"antenati\" class=\"wp-image-91650\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-6.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-6-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-6-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-6-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-6-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-6-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-6-1080x720.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-6-170x113.jpg 170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201200%20800'%3E%3Crect%20width='1200'%20height='800'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"antenati\" class=\"wp-image-91650 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-6.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-1\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-6.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-6.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-6-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-6-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-6-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-6-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-6-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-6-1080x720.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-6-170x113.jpg 170w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&copy; Pexels<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Most historians agree that these practices date back to <strong>prehistoric times<\/strong>, and that they&rsquo;re rooted in extreme scarcity and survival instinct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When food and other resources ran out, at times, our ancestors had no choice but to prioritize the future of their children and the survival of the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Elders, who could <strong>no longer contribute<\/strong>, became the sacrificial figures, seen as a burden that threatened everyone else&rsquo;s survival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The act was ritualistic, carried out with a sense of duty, rather than cruelty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, it was rooted in a grim necessity, due to starvation or famine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It exposes a brutal reality of survival where <strong>morality becomes secondary<\/strong> under pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Cultural Perspective<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-91651\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"676\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-91651\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-1-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-1-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-1-728x410.jpg 728w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-1-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-1-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-1-960x541.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-1-1080x608.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-1-170x96.jpg 170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"676\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201200%20676'%3E%3Crect%20width='1200'%20height='676'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-91651 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-1.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-2\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-1.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-1-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-1-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-1-728x410.jpg 728w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-1-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-1-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-1-960x541.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-1-1080x608.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-1-170x96.jpg 170w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&copy; Pexels<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>In Japan, the practice was called &ldquo;ubasute.&rdquo;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The story goes that during times of famine, families would carry their elders to remote forests to leave them there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes, they would provide provisions if they had any to spare, and other times, the elders were simply left to perish.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The practice was part of the belief that elders had <strong>fulfilled their purpose<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the Balkans, the same practice was known as &ldquo;lapot,&rdquo; and it went on pretty much the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The stories say that the oldest person in a family or community would <strong>voluntarily or involuntarily<\/strong> be left in the wilderness during times of extreme hardship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Similar traditions existed in most of <strong>Europe, Greece, <\/strong>and across<strong> Asia<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was a devastating choice for our ancestors to make, especially because elders were traditionally revered and cherished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Emotional Toll on the Community<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-91647\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"801\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-91647\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-4.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-4-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-4-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-4-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-4-960x641.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-4-1080x721.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-4-170x113.jpg 170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"801\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201200%20801'%3E%3Crect%20width='1200'%20height='801'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-91647 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-4.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-3\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-4.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-4.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-4-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-4-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-4-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-4-960x641.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-4-1080x721.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-4-170x113.jpg 170w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&copy; Pexels<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The sacrifice of elders was emotionally devastating for everyone involved.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Elders were the keepers of tradition and wisdom; they were much more revered in the time of our ancestors, and were considered to be the pillars of their communities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Having to abandon them was a <strong>profound loss<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This agonizing decision also speaks of the <strong>courage and responsibility<\/strong> of the elders who accepted this cruel fate in order to help their community survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Undoubtedly, this practice left scars that could last for generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Modern Interpretations<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-91648\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"842\" height=\"651\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-5.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-91648\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-5.jpg 842w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-5-300x232.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-5-768x594.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-5-16x12.jpg 16w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-5-170x131.jpg 170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"842\" height=\"651\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20842%20651'%3E%3Crect%20width='842'%20height='651'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-91648 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-5.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-4\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-5.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-5.jpg 842w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-5-300x232.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-5-768x594.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-5-16x12.jpg 16w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-5-170x131.jpg 170w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&copy; Pexels<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>To this day, scholars are divided over whether these customs were real or symbolic rituals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some believed they were <strong>exaggerated or mythologized<\/strong> over time, used to explain cultural values or fears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Others argue they were historically practiced during desperate times when famine or war ravaged communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Archeological evidence<\/strong> is scarce, making concrete conclusions difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some researchers see these stories as metaphorical, representing societal fears about aging and burden, rather than literal acts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Either way, they serve as powerful reminders of the desperation and moral dilemmas our ancestors faced in times of crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Chance for Reflection<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-91646\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-91646\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-3.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-3-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-3-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-3-1080x720.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-3-170x113.jpg 170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201200%20800'%3E%3Crect%20width='1200'%20height='800'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-91646 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-3.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-5\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-3.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-3.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-3-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-3-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-3-1080x720.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-3-170x113.jpg 170w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&copy; Pexels<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Looking at these traditions, it&rsquo;s impossible not to feel a mix of horror and empathy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They reveal how, under extreme conditions, moral boundaries can become blurred.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While today&rsquo;s world is far removed from such desperation, these stories serve as a stark reminder of our ancestors&rsquo; resilience and the importance of compassion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They also force us to keep in mind how fragile <strong>civilization&rsquo;s moral fabric<\/strong> can be when pushed to its limits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What to Take From This<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-91645\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-91645\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-2.jpg 576w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-2-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-2-170x113.jpg 170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"384\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20576%20384'%3E%3Crect%20width='576'%20height='384'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-91645 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-2.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-6\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-2.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-2.jpg 576w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-2-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ancestors-elders-2-170x113.jpg 170w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&copy; Pexels<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Although these practices are painful to even contemplate, they challenge us to consider how we respond to crises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No one person should be left to bear that burden alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By understanding these dark practices of the past, I think we can better appreciate the <strong>abundance we enjoy<\/strong> today and take for granted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our ancestors not only didn&rsquo;t have access to basic necessities at times, but they had to make these incredibly traumatic choices when there was no other option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These stories should also urge us to cherish and protect our <strong>elders<\/strong>, respecting their <strong>invaluable contributions<\/strong>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Throughout history, desperate times have pushed our ancestors to make unimaginable choices. Among these, one of the most haunting is sacrificing elders to ensure the &hellip;<\/p>","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":91651,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"syndication_tool_enabled":true,"syndication_tool_title":"","syndication_tool_excerpt":"","syndication_tool_featured_image":0,"syndication_tool_publish_date":"","syndication_tool_schema_types":["article"],"syndication_tool_backlink_enable":false,"syndication_tool_ai_disclosure_enable":false,"disable-in-feed":false,"article-schema-type":"Article","disable-critical-css":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[208],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-91618","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-history"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91618","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=91618"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91618\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":92922,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91618\/revisions\/92922"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/91651"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=91618"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=91618"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=91618"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}