As is frequently the case in comparing popular history to actual accounts, I'm finding that the history of the first circumnavigation of the world is much different than what the popular memory would have us believe. First and foremost, Ferdinand Magellan was NOT the first person to circumnavigate the globe. (Although he was the original commander of the fleet that did achieve this - though it was not their intended goal. Magellan was killed in the Philippines). I feel like this may have been taught in school, but I wonder why almost no one remembers that it was [Juan Sebastián Elcano] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Sebasti%C3%A1n_Elcano) who Captained the return voyage to Spain, and is thus credited as the first person to circumnavigate the world.

After reading up some more on Magellan's voyage, I found that a primary account was written by Antonio Pigafetta, one of the 18 men (of an initial ~240) who completed the entire expedition. I found his history here Relazione del primo viaggio intorno al mondo

I don't really speak Italian and I could not find a proper English translation (though I'm sure one must exist). So I plugged it into Google translate. There appear to be several descriptions of Cannibalism by the native populations, but also some indication that members of the crew may have engaged in cannibalism as well while in the company (or captivity?) of natives.

In finding the primary source, I was very interested to hear the account of the extremely long journey from the Philippines to south Africa which took over 3 months and how they would have survived during that time. I did not find much on this topic but there does appear to be one paragraph which I think refers to this period. And it seems to mention that he may have "bit into" 21 men.

Finalmente, con lo aiuto de Dio, a sei di maggio passassemo questo capo, appresso lui cinque leghe. Se non l'approssimavamo tanto, mai lo potevamo passare. Poi navigassemo al maestrale due mesi continui senza pigliare refrigerio alcuno. In questo poco tempo ne morsero venti uno uomo. Quando li buttavamo in mare, li Cristiani andavano nel fondo con lo volto in suso e li Indii sempre con lo volto in giù. E se Dio non ne concedeva buon tempo, tutti morivamo de fame. Al fine, costretti dalla grande necessità, andassemo a le isole de Capo Verde.

So, I know Google translate is not reliable but does someone with a better knowledge Italian or some familiarity with this history know how extensive cannibalism may have been among the members of Magellan's expedition? And specifically, did it occur on the ship during the return voyage?