Magic to Heal the ‘Wandering Womb’ in Antiquity
The idea that the womb wandered about the female body was prevalent in antiquity, even after it was disproven by some ancient physicians.
Madagascar Superstitions & Taboos: Fighting the Aye-Aye Fady
In some regions of Madagascar, it is considered fady to eat certain lemurs, meaning local taboos can actually act as a shield to protect specific species. However, aye-ayes appear to be the only lemur associated with fady leading to their persecution. How did the aye-aye end up drawing the short straw when it comes to local folklore?
Purgatory in Spanish Folklore: The Night of the Ánimas
In rural Spain, the night still belongs to the ánimas, the spirits of the dead who didn’t go straight to Heaven or Hell.
Morris Folk: Making History
The Morris Folk project arose from a desire to document something as ephemeral as dance in new and innovative ways.
Cross Your Fingers – Luck, Lies, & Ladders
The final article in the series exploring common superstitions is ‘fingers crossed.’ Crossing your fingers is a common gesture in English speaking countries for luck or to cover up little white lies, but where does it originate from?