In this episode of The Strange South, hosts Marleah, Patrice, and Courtney dive into the peculiar world of geophagy—the practice of eating earth and clay. The episode begins with some light banter and technical difficulties, before transitioning into a story about a house in Starkville, Mississippi, where people repeatedly dug up the homeowner's garden to eat the soil. This leads to an exploration of various cultural traditions that involve eating clay, including those from West Africa, indigenous tribes, and European settlers. The discussion covers the health implications, historical context, and the modern-day persistence of these practices. The hosts also touch on related folklore and rituals involving soil, making for an intriguing and educational listen.

00:00 Introduction to The Strange South

00:58 Technical Difficulties and Greetings

01:09 Episode Number Confusion

02:04 Eating Dirt: A Southern Folklore

07:57 Historical and Cultural Context of Geophagy

11:51 Modern Implications and Practices

17:16 Graveyard and Crossroads Dirt

21:30 Health Implications of Eating Dirt

27:31 Conclusion and Teasers for Next Episode