Scatologic Rites Of All Nations

First published in the late 19th century, Scatologic Rites of All Nations by Captain John G. Bourke is one of the most daring and unconventional works of comparative anthropology and ethnology ever written. Drawing from extensive research and firsthand observation, Bourke explores the ritual, symbolic, and religious use of bodily functions across ancient and modern cultures—subjects long shunned by polite society yet central to understanding the sacred and taboo aspects of human behavior.

In this exhaustive study, Bourke documents practices from Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas, revealing how what is considered impure or obscene in one culture may hold ritual or purifying significance in another. His writing combines military discipline with scholarly curiosity, resulting in a unique work that examines the intersection of the physical, the spiritual, and the forbidden.

More than a catalogue of curiosities, Scatologic Rites of All Nations remains a provocative contribution to the study of symbolism, religion, and human psychology, challenging readers to confront the boundaries between the sacred and the profane.

Complete edition of Capt. John G. Bourke’s groundbreaking anthropological study

Explores rituals of purification, taboo, and symbolism across cultures

A seminal work in comparative religion, anthropology, and folklore

Essential for readers of cultural studies, human behavior, and taboo traditions