From the time of Marco Polo until the 19th century, reports indicated that the Batak were fierce cannibals who ritually ate enemy warriors and criminals.
Marco Polo päevist kuni 19. sajandini oldi üldiselt arvamusel, et batakid on raevukad kannibalid, kes rituaalide ajal söövad vaenlase sõdureid ja kurjategijaid.