5 Hilariously Funny Cultural Traditions You Haven’t Heard Of Yet
Culture is fascinating, as it tells us a lot about the societies we live in. Every society has its own cultural traditions, some of which are serious and others that are downright ridiculous. In this article, we will explore five hilarious cultural traditions that you probably have not heard of yet.
1. Baby-jumping in Spain
In Spain’s Northeastern region of Catalonia, locals celebrate the annual festival of Corpus Christi in a rather unique way. Men dressed as the devil literally jump over babies who are lying on a mattress in the middle of the street. This tradition, dating back to the 1600s, is believed to cleanse babies of original sin and ward off evil spirits. Although it may seem bizarre, it is a well-cherished tradition and is a huge draw for tourists.
2. Wife-carrying in Finland
If you thought carrying your spouse in an arm cradle on your wedding night was romantic, Finnish men have taken this idea to a whole new level. In the annual Wife Carrying World Championships in Sonkajarvi, Finland, men compete in a 253.5 meter obstacle course while carrying their wives on their backs. The couple that finishes first wins the woman’s weight in beer. This tradition started in the 19th century where men used to kidnap neighbouring women, but today it’s just a fun, albeit challenging, race.
3. La Tomatina in Spain
Another tradition from Spain, La Tomatina is an annual festival that takes place in Bunol, Valencia. This festival, which began in 1945, involves the participants throwing tomatoes at each other for an hour. More than 100 metric tons of tomatoes are consumed each year, with people travelling from all over the world to join in the mess. While the origin of the festival is not clear, it is said to have started as a protest against the government, with people throwing rotten tomatoes at politicians and officials!
4. Kanamara Matsuri in Japan
In Kawasaki, Japan, every spring, a festival called Kanamara Matsuri is held. The festival is celebrated in honor of a steel phallus that is worshipped as a symbol of fertility, and, perhaps out of some sense of irony, for protection against sexually transmitted diseases. Visitors can buy phallic-shaped sweets and souvenirs, and watch a large, pink steel phallus being paraded through the streets.
5. Bog snorkelling in Wales
Bog snorkelling is a tradition that originated in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales. Every year, participants from all over the world gather to swim through a bog filled with water and mud while wearing snorkelling gear. The challenge is to navigate through the muddy water without using traditional swimming strokes. The event began as a bet between two pub-goers in 1976, and has since become a popular sport.
Conclusion:
Cultural traditions are what make our societies unique and fascinating. While many traditions make sense, some of them are just downright hilarious. From tomato throwing in Bunol to baby jumping in Catalonia, these cultural traditions show us how diverse the world is. Whether it’s for religious, cultural, or recreational purposes, it’s incredible to see how people from all around the world celebrate their heritage in such a colourful and amusing way.
