{"product_id":"useless-knowledge-about-ancient-festivals-talon-redford-9798312829372","title":"Useless Knowledge About Ancient Festivals: Fascinating Facts, Strange Traditions, and Forgotten Celebrations from the Past","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFascinating Facts, Strange Traditions, and Forgotten Celebrations from the Past\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHistory is full of strange, forgotten, and downright bizarre celebrations festivals that once shaped civilizations but have now faded into obscurity. From fire-walking rituals in Fiji to monks piercing their bodies in India, from wild Roman feasts where slaves became kings to medieval ghost-banishing bean-throwing ceremonies, this book uncovers the most unusual, outrageous, and downright fascinating festivals that history forgot.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn this fact-packed journey through time, you'll discover: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe blood-soaked origins of Lupercalia, the pagan festival that may have inspired Valentine's Day.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHow Vikings honored their dead with fiery ship burials and human sacrifices.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Feast of Fools, where priests dressed as jesters and chaos ruled medieval churches.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe shocking Goat-Throwing Festival of Spain (yes, they really threw a goat).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhy Romans feared the wrath of unburied ghosts and threw beans to drive them away.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHow China's Hungry Ghost Festival still influences modern superstitions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe madness of England's Cheese-Rolling Festival, where competitors risk life and limb for dairy glory.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe porridge-based contests of Scotland, proving breakfast can be competitive.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAnd yes why a preserved human toe is dropped into drinks in Canada.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis book will leave you amazed at what people once celebrated and might still celebrate today.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePerfect for history buffs, trivia lovers, and anyone who enjoys the weird side of human culture.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eRemember, history isn't just written in battles and empires it's also found in the festivals that brought people together, made them laugh, and sometimes, made them scream.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Talon Redford\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798312829372\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Independently Published\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 03\/03\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 158\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.48lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.34d","brand":"Talon Redford","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":47419683799295,"sku":"9798312829372","price":12.18,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_2a3c2cd4-24aa-4e51-a9d1-edb69e8a205f.jpg?v=1761513176","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/useless-knowledge-about-ancient-festivals-talon-redford-9798312829372","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}