National GeographicNat Geo Wild
https://assets-natgeotv.fnghub.com/Shows/12946.jpg

  • TABOO

DESCRIPTION

Every culture has its rituals and codes of living. We delve into the bizarre or confronting practices of cultures around the world.

What drives someone to insert stainless steel fishing hooks into another person’s back so they can hang from the ceiling by their flesh? How is the practice of thrusting hands into gloves filled with stinging giant bullet ants — and enduring the pain over and over — acceptable within a culture? In some societies around the world, practices like these reflect deeply held traditional beliefs or deliberate lifestyle choices. But to others outside the culture, they may seem grotesque, dangerous or.. <strong>Taboo</strong>.

We take you beyond your comfort zone and across cultural borders to explore rituals and customs that are acceptable in some cultures but forbidden, illegal or reviled in others. Crossing the boundary between modern practices and ancient beliefs, this series showcases a mosaic of human lifestyles and values.

Each episode will examine one issue from a variety of perspectives, often venturing into rarely seen societies. We journey to six continents and 19 countries, featuring 25 indigenous cultures. Hear from some of the world’s most renowned and respected anthropologists and sociologists, who examine a diverse range of cultures. Explore rites of passage, unique lifestyle choices, body modification, gender decisions, nudity and spiritual quests that test the limits of the human body.

EPISODE GUIDE

  • Taboo: Forbidden Love
    Every culture has its rituals and codes of living. We delve into the bizarre or confronting practices of cultures around the world.
  • Taboo: Hoarders
    Every culture has its rituals and codes of living. We delve into the bizarre or confronting practices of cultures around the world.
  • Taboo: Fantasy Lives
    Every culture has its rituals and codes of living. We delve into the bizarre or confronting practices of cultures around the world.
  • Taboo: Prison Love
    Every culture has its rituals and codes of living. We delve into the bizarre or confronting practices of cultures around the world.
  • Taboo: Addiction
    From sex to adrenaline, gaming to shopping, any behaviour can become addictive. Follow four people through their destructive practices and see what it will take for them to overcome their dependency.
  • Taboo: Strange Love
    Discover the darker side of human relationships, from a man in the USA who is in love with a sex doll to a British man with seven wives.
  • Taboo: Prostitution
    A look at modern-day prostitution in the developing world, where many young girls are sold into slavery and forced to work in awful conditions.
  • Taboo: Beauty
    Taboo takes viewers on a journey beyond their comfort zones and across cultural borders to explore addictions and lifestyles that are acceptable in some cultures but forbidden, illegal, or even reviled in others.
  • Taboo: Misfits
    Delve into bizarre & confronting practices of subcultures from around the world.
  • Taboo: Narcotics
    Taboo takes viewers on a journey beyond their comfort zones and across cultural borders to explore addictions and lifestyles that are acceptable in some cultures but forbidden, illegal, or even reviled in others.
  • Taboo: Fat
    With the planet facing an obesity epidemic, discover how traditional ideals of beauty are being altered by pageants such as 'Miss Plus America'.
  • Taboo: Taboo VI - 606
    Delve into bizarre & confronting practices of subcultures from around the world.
  • Taboo: TABOO - 001
    It is a truism in most modern societies: Drugs that treat the body are good; drugs that transport the mind are taboo.
  • Taboo: TABOO - 002
    The ability to heal others is highly prized in all cultures. We esteem the healers and put our faith in them. But the sources of their power can be mysterious, and often the treatment requires a leap of faith.
  • Taboo: TABOO - 003
    What makes a food taboo? Every culture has its own tastes and traditions, often developed from what's available. However, to others, certain food choices can seem downright horrifying.
  • Taboo: TABOO - 004
    Bloodsports - Throughout their history, humans have retained a fascination with violence. In times of peace, we satiate that craving through our sports.
  • Taboo: TABOO - 005
    Evil Spirits - The presence of evil is felt in every human society. When bad things happen to good people, some cultures blame the devil and throw up their hands in surrender. But others have developed ways to take on evil directly.
  • Taboo: TABOO - 007
    In most parts of the world, the idea of marriage is confined strictly to one man and one woman - the basic formula for propagating the species.
  • Taboo: TABOO - 008
    In the modern world we tend to dismiss witchcraft and witches as fantasies, but in many cultures magic is alive, and its practitioners are admired and feared.
  • Taboo: TABOO - 009
    Taboo addresses the subject of sexuality in various cultures including that of American transexuals, Albanian sworn virgins and India's eunuchs.
  • Taboo: TABOO - 010
    The different rituals performed by various cultures around the world is explored.
  • Taboo: TABOO - 011
    Taboo observes the various painful or horrific tests that are conducted to tests a person's religious faith.
  • Taboo: TABOO - 012
    "Bloodsports" explores the various violent forms of sport including cockfighting, bullfighting and fistfighting.
  • Taboo: TABOO - 013
    "Rites of Passage" explores the types of initiation processes in different cultures, that a child must undertake to mark their transition to adulthood.
  • Taboo: Newbies
  • Taboo: Croc Escape
  • Taboo: Break-In Bear
  • Taboo: Panther Down
  • Taboo: Bee Bomb
  • Taboo: Croc Swamp
  • Taboo: Fire Hazard
  • Taboo: Gator Breakout
  • Taboo: Predators on the Prowl
  • Taboo: The Coming Storm
  • Taboo: Swamp Shootout
  • Taboo: One Bad Gator
  • Taboo: Most Wanted
  • Taboo: Gator Beatdown
  • Taboo: Restroom Rattler
  • Taboo: Deadly Blow
  • Taboo: Predator Patrol
  • Taboo: Beyond the Grave
    Delve into bizarre & confronting practices of subcultures from around the world.
  • Taboo: Odd Couples
    For most the ideal spouse tends to be similar in age, social status, and physical appearance. But some marriages stray so far from this ideal, they might be considered "odd."
  • Taboo: Secret Lives
    Do we really know who our co-workers, loved ones, and friends are? Maybe not as well as we think. Taboo opens a window into the lives of individuals leading a double life with surprising secrets.
  • Taboo: Freaky Remedies
    Conventional western medicine is based on science, research, and technology. But in cultures around the world, many still look to monks, mystics, and magic potions, putting their faith in extreme cures.
  • Taboo: Extreme Fighting
    In many cultures, what is considered acceptable violence pushes the boundaries.
  • Taboo: Strange Behavior
    Enter the lives of those whose extreme medical conditions cause them to be unfairly labeled as taboo by society: a father whose Tourette's syndrome makes him an outcast, a young woman stigmatized by self-harm, and a man judged lazy because he's always asleep.
  • Taboo: Teen Sex
    Meet the Sydney parents facing the consequences of their children's foray into teen sex.
  • Taboo: Booze
    Journey beyond your comfort zone to explore behaviors and lifestyles that are acceptable in some cultures but forbidden, illegal or reviled in others.
  • Taboo: Living with the Dead
    In order to earn two dollars a day, people will exhume rotting corpses from graves.
  • Taboo: Loving with the Dead
    In order to earn two dollars a day, people will exhume rotting corpses from graves.
  • Taboo: Extreme Collectors
  • Taboo: Taboo - 902
  • Taboo: Ugly
  • Taboo: Nasty Jobs
  • Taboo: Strange Passions
  • Taboo: Weird Weddings
  • Taboo: Extreme Bodies
  • Taboo: Taboo - 909
  • Taboo: Devils and Demons
  • Taboo: Taboo - 910
  • Taboo: Taboo - 911
  • Taboo: Taboo - 912
  • Taboo: Taboo - 913
ADVERTISEMENT

PHOTOS

VIDEOS

  • Being Superman photo

    Being Superman

    This collector has surgically transformed his own body in order to be a part of his own superman...

    (02:37)
  • All Videos