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Did You Know? 12 Strange Traditions Around the World
Human cultures across the globe have developed fascinating traditions over centuries, some of which may seem peculiar or surprising to outsiders. These customs, deeply rooted in history, religion, or folklore, offer a window into the diverse ways societies celebrate, mourn, and mark important life events. From unusual wedding ceremonies to bizarre coming-of-age rituals, the world is full of practices that challenge our understanding of what is “normal.” Here are twelve remarkable traditions from around the world that might surprise you.
1. Baby Jumping Festival – Spain
In the village of Castrillo de Murcia, Spain, an extraordinary tradition known as El Colacho takes place during the Corpus Christi festival. Men dressed as devils leap over babies who were born during the previous year and are laid on mattresses in the street. This ritual, dating back to 1620, is believed to cleanse the infants of original sin and protect them from evil spirits throughout their lives. Despite its seemingly dangerous nature, no injuries have been reported, and families eagerly participate in this unique blessing ceremony.
2. Famadihana – Madagascar
The Malagasy people of Madagascar practice Famadihana, also known as “the turning of the bones.” Every five to seven years, families exhume the remains of their deceased relatives, rewrap them in fresh silk shrouds, and dance with the corpses to live music. This tradition stems from the belief that the dead cannot enter the afterlife until their bodies have completely decomposed. The celebration is festive rather than somber, with families sharing stories about the deceased and strengthening bonds between the living and the dead.
3. Blackening of the Bride – Scotland
In parts of Scotland, brides-to-be endure a pre-wedding ritual called “blackening.” Friends and family members cover the bride in various substances including molasses, feathers, flour, soot, and sometimes even spoiled food. The messy bride is then paraded through the streets. This tradition is believed to prepare the bride for the challenges of married life – if she can handle this humiliation, she can handle anything marriage throws at her way.
4. Monkey Buffet Festival – Thailand
Every November in Lopburi, Thailand, the local monkey population is treated to an elaborate feast as thanks for bringing good fortune and tourism to the province. The Monkey Buffet Festival features over 4,000 kilograms of fruits, vegetables, and other treats arranged in elaborate displays. Hundreds of macaques descend upon the banquet while spectators watch and photograph the spectacle. This unusual tradition reflects the Thai belief in showing gratitude to all creatures.
5. La Tomatina – Spain
The town of Buñol in Spain hosts the world’s largest food fight every August. During La Tomatina, approximately 20,000 participants hurl over 100 metric tons of overripe tomatoes at each other for one hour. What began as a spontaneous food fight among friends in 1945 has become an internationally famous festival. The streets run red with tomato juice, and participants emerge completely covered in pulp, celebrating this messy tradition that has no religious or political significance.
6. Crying Brides – China
Among the Tujia people in China’s Sichuan Province, brides must cry for one hour each day for an entire month before their wedding. Ten days into the crying period, the bride’s mother joins her, and ten days after that, her grandmother participates. This tradition, known as “crying marriage,” is believed to express joy and demonstrate the bride’s virtue and readiness to leave her family home.
7. Finger Cutting – Indonesia
The Dani tribe of Indonesia practices Ikipalin, a mourning ritual where female family members have the upper joint of one of their fingers cut off when a close relative dies. This physical pain is meant to represent the emotional anguish of losing a loved one. While this tradition has been discouraged by Indonesian authorities and is becoming less common, it demonstrates the extreme lengths some cultures go to express grief.
8. Living with the Dead – Philippines
In some regions of the Philippines, particularly among the Tinguian people, deceased family members are dressed in their best clothes and placed in a chair near the front door of their home. The body remains there for up to eight days while family members keep it company, sometimes offering cigarettes to the corpse. This practice allows for an extended farewell and reflects the culture’s comfortable relationship with death.
9. Cheese Rolling – England
Every May, brave participants gather at Cooper’s Hill in Gloucestershire, England, to chase a round of Double Gloucester cheese down a steep, uneven hill. The cheese can reach speeds of up to 70 miles per hour, and competitors tumble, roll, and sprint after it, risking injury for the glory of catching the cheese. The tradition, which may date back centuries, continues despite numerous injuries, drawing international participants who value tradition over safety.
10. Polterabend – Germany
German couples participate in Polterabend, typically the night before their wedding, where friends and family gather to smash porcelain dishes, flower pots, and tiles outside the couple’s home. The noise is believed to ward off evil spirits, while the act of the couple cleaning up the mess together symbolizes their ability to work as a team through difficulties. Notably, glass is never broken, as it is considered bad luck.
11. Bullet Ant Gloves – Brazil
The Sateré-Mawé tribe in the Brazilian Amazon has one of the world’s most painful coming-of-age rituals. Boys as young as twelve must wear gloves filled with bullet ants – insects whose sting is said to be thirty times more painful than a bee sting – for ten minutes while performing a dance. The ritual must be completed twenty times over several months to prove the boy’s readiness for manhood and his ability to endure pain without showing weakness.
12. Night of the Radishes – Mexico
In Oaxaca, Mexico, December 23rd is dedicated to La Noche de los Rábanos (Night of the Radishes), where artists carve elaborate scenes from oversized radishes. The tradition began in the colonial period when Spanish merchants encouraged indigenous vendors to make their produce displays more attractive. Today, intricate nativity scenes, historical events, and fantastical figures are carved from radishes and displayed in the town square, with prizes awarded for the best creations.
Conclusion
These twelve traditions demonstrate the remarkable diversity of human culture and the varied ways societies mark important occasions, honor the deceased, and pass down customs through generations. While some practices may seem shocking or incomprehensible to outsiders, they hold deep meaning and significance within their respective communities. From Spain’s baby-jumping festivals to Brazil’s painful coming-of-age rituals, these customs remind us that there is no single “correct” way to celebrate life’s milestones. Understanding and appreciating these differences enriches our global perspective and highlights the fascinating tapestry of human civilization. These strange traditions, whether practiced for religious reasons, historical significance, or simple fun, continue to thrive because they connect people to their heritage and to each other in meaningful ways.
