Firewalking, the act of walking barefoot across a bed of hot embers, is an ancient practice with deep cultural and spiritual roots. Historians trace its origins back thousands of years, with evidence of firewalking found in various civilizations across Asia, Africa, South America, and Europe. From the shamans of South Africa to the monks of Japan and the tribes of the Pacific Islands, firewalking has been used as a rite of passage, a spiritual cleansing ritual, and a demonstration of faith.