ABSTRACT
Taboo is a term used for something that is forbidden. It can be applied to an action, a place, an object, a food, or a living thing such as a person. Originally, it described the relationship between human beings and the sacred, but this early interpretation has undergone changes; today, taboo refers to social as well as religious customs and practices. For example, in virtually every culture, one of the earliest known taboos is a prohibition against incest— sexual relations between close blood relatives. Taboos often have to do with women, placing boundaries on their behavior and activities.
