Synopsis

Each society functions according to its own customs and traditions. What's normal to some may well be totally unthinkable to others. It's hard to conceive that traditional beliefs and rites of passage could still push people in our modern world to attempt dangerous life-threatening feats. And yet, such traditions remain alive and kicking. Enduring the pain of a hook piercing the skin and donning a glove filled with red ants may seem like grotesque or even illicit practices, but they carry much deeper meaning for certain peoples in our world. Tapping the frontiers between modern practices and ancient belief systems, this series presents a comprehensive mosaic of humanity's lifestyles and values. You'll meet unique peoples too often forgotten in our modern era and, thanks to in-depth analysis from renowned anthropologists and sociologists, you'll also gain insight into spiritual quests that sometimes test the limits of the human body.