They Do What?: A Cultural Encyclopedia of Extraordinary and Exotic Customs from Around the World

What a delight this title is and how fun to browse through it. Who knew the Burning of Witches sprang from the pagan tradition of weaving Grain Mothers out of straw to house the spirit of the grain after the harvest, which would be ploughed under or burned in mid-to-late April, April 30 being Walpurgis Night? Or that Gurning is a rural British version of deliberately making ugly faces? This entry is complete with photographs, including one of Her Majesty, as a spectator, of course, not a participant. Finger Amputation at Funerals – how can you not look at this...