This article highlights 10 bizarre traditions from around the world that may leave readers scratching their heads. From baby-dangling in India to cheese-rolling in England, the article explores unusual customs that vary from tribe initiation rites to annual festivals. Despite being sometimes bewildering, these traditions hold great significance to those who practice them, providing a sense of identity and cultural belonging. Examples include the La Tomatina festival where participants throw tomatoes at each other in Spain, night of the radishes where people carve intricate designs out of radishes in Mexico, and the Haka, a Maori dance performed at significant events in New Zealand.
10 Bizarre Traditions That Will Make You Scratch Your Head
From drinking snake blood in Southeast Asia to sleeping with dead relatives in Madagascar, traditions around the world can be fascinating, but sometimes they can also be bizarre. Here are 10 strange rituals and customs that will leave you scratching your head.
1. Baby Dangling (India)
In the Indian state of Karnataka, in the town of Bagalkot, a bizarre ritual is performed where babies are dropped from a height of 30 feet. No, it’s not barbaric nor an act of violence. The ceremony is called ‘Baby Dangling’ and is believed to bring good health and prosperity to the infants. The babies are then caught in a bedsheet by men holding the ends of the cloth.
2. Cheese-Rolling (England)
Every year in the town of Brockworth, England, locals hold the Cheese-Rolling Festival. Participants race after a wheel of cheese that is rolled down a steep hill. The first person to catch the cheese wins, but often ends up tumbling down the hill as well. The origin of this tradition is not known, but it’s believed to date back to the 1800s.
3. Finger Cutting (Papua New Guinea)
Among the tribes in Papua New Guinea, a ceremony called ‘Huli Wigmen Initiation’ takes place where boys become men by cutting off one of their fingers. The fingers are then ground down and added to a soup that is fed to the rest of the tribe. Losing a finger is not considered a punishment, instead it is seen as a rite of passage, symbolizing strength and manhood.
4. Wife-Carrying (Finland)
Another strange tradition that originated in Finland, wife-carrying is a real event that involves men carrying their wives on their backs and competing against each other in races. The race course in Sonkajärvi, Finland is 253.5 meters long and contains obstacles such as water pools and sand traps. The winner receives their wife’s weight in beer.
5. Firewalking (Fiji)
Firewalking is a traditional practice in many cultures, but in Fiji, it is considered a sacred ritual where participants walk barefoot over hot stones. The practice is said to show devotion to the gods and trust in their own spiritual abilities. The ceremony is usually held at night, accompanied by traditional music, dance and chanting.
6. Thaipusam (Malaysia)
Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated in Malaysia, where devotees carry offerings and make pilgrimages to temples. It’s a colorful and vibrant celebration, however, some participants practice self-mortification by piercing their bodies with hooks, skewers, and spears, as a sign of devotion and sacrifice.
7. La Tomatina (Spain)
The La Tomatina festival, held in the town of Buñol, Spain each year, involves individual participants throwing tomatoes at each other. The tradition started in 1945 and has been a popular event ever since. The festival is held on the last Wednesday of August every year and is attended by thousands of people from all over the world.
8. Night of the Radishes (Mexico)
In the city of Oaxaca, Mexico, a unique night of carving radishes takes place each year on December 23. Participants carve and sculpt the radishes into intricate designs ranging from religious scenes to animal figures. The event has grown in popularity over the years and now attracts thousands of visitors.
9. Haka (New Zealand)
Haka is a Maori tradition that involves a dance performance by a group of men. It is often performed during weddings, funerals, and other important events. The dance involves chanting, stomping, and body slapping, and is performed with a lot of energy and passion.
10. Baby Jumping (Spain)
Each year in the Spanish province of Burgos, a strange ritual occurs where grown men dressed as the devil jump over babies. The ceremony, called El Colacho, dates back to the 17th century and is believed to cleanse the babies of evil spirits. As ridiculous as it may sound, the ceremony has never had a bad result, as the babies are unharmed and actually seem to enjoy it.
These traditions remind us that there is a lot of diversity and uniqueness in the way different cultures view and celebrate important occasions. Whether it is bizarre, intriguing or frightening, these customs create a sense of identity and belonging for those who practice them.