Taboo
Taboo is a documentary television series that premiered in 2002 on the National Geographic Channel. The program is an educational look into "taboo" rituals and traditions practiced in some societies, yet forbidden and illegal in others. Each hour long episode details a specific topic, such as marriage or initiation rituals, and explores how such topics are viewed throughout the world. Taboo generally focuses on the most misunderstood, despised, or disagreed-upon activities, jobs, and roles.
Where to Watch Taboo
Every episode of Taboo you can watch online for free. Heads up, there will probably be a few ads.
Season 4
Tubi TV
S04 E01
Aug 5, 2007
Initiation Rituals Aug 5, 2007 Different cultures' initiation rituals. Included: a Brazilian tribe's bullet-ant glove; an urban Australian subculture's practice of suspension from fishhooks.
S04 E03
Aug 8, 2007Sexual Identity Aug 8, 2007 Profiling people who push gender boundaries. Included: transsexuals in San Francisco; Thai katoey or “ladyboys”; Samoan fa'afafine.
S04 E04
Aug 15, 2007Signs of Identity Aug 15, 2007 Profiling young women of Ethiopia's Hamar tribe who voluntarily submit to brutal beatings to show loyalty to male relatives as they participate in a coming-of-age ceremony. Also: the Japanese horimono; branding.
S04 E10
Oct 31, 2007Gross Food Oct 31, 2007 A look at food customs that are practiced in some cultures but rejected in others. Included: the lethal fugu in Japan; a six-course insect meal in rural Vietnam; tarantulas and bear claws at a dining club in Manhattan; deadly serpents in Hanoi.
S04 E12
Nov 14, 2007Jobs Nov 14, 2007 Spotlighting less-than-desirable professions. Included: a man cleans up violent death scenes; a forensic anthropologist works with rotting corpses; an Indonesian miner extracts sulfur from an active volcano.
S04 E13
Nov 21, 2007Mating Nov 21, 2007 A look at ancient and modern rituals humans use to demonstrate love and devotion.
Season 5
Tubi TV
S05 E01
Aug 6, 2008Touching Death Aug 6, 2008 Profiling individuals whose jobs entail handling human remains in Manila; Los Angeles; and Bangkok.
S05 E02
Aug 6, 2008Extreme Kids Aug 6, 2008 "Extreme Kids" explores child kickboxing matches in Thailand and a self-mutilation ritual for Shi'a Muslims in India.
S05 E03
Aug 13, 2008Supreme Devotion Aug 13, 2008 A look at religions that measure devotion by physical suffering.
S05 E04
Aug 20, 2008Body Extremes Aug 20, 2008 A thriving black market for human organs is examined in the Philippines. Also: a look at an intimate bond between humans and pigs in Papua New Guinea; an Australian health therapist who uses urine as a topical medicine is profiled.
S05 E05
Aug 27, 2008Extreme Healing Aug 27, 2008 Exploring cultures where people entrust their health to faith rather than modern medicine in Venezuela, Arizona and the Philippines.
S05 E06
Sep 3, 2008Trial by Fire Sep 3, 2008 Dangerous initiation rituals are spotlighted. Included: a fire dance in Papua New Guinea; riding untamed bulls in India.
S05 E10
Oct 22, 2008The Third Sex Oct 22, 2008 Exploring societies that recognize more than two genders in India, Indonesia and Albania.