Have you ever heard of unusual cultural traditions from different parts of the world that may seem bizarre or even shocking? While customs such as weddings or funerals may be familiar to us, there are various other practices that may come as a surprise. From honoring the dead to celebrating a new harvest, let’s take a closer look at five strange cultural customs that you’ve probably never heard of.
1. Sky Burials in Tibet
If you happen to visit Tibet, you may come across a distinctive burial ceremony. Known as sky burials, this practice involves carving up the deceased person’s body into small pieces and leaving them out in the open for scavenger birds to feed on. Tibetans believe that the human body is just a vessel to carry a person’s soul and that death is a natural process. Therefore, it is not uncommon to see families performing sky burials as a way to release the soul and provide nourishment to the birds.
2. Baby Tossing in India
In the southern part of India, the locals celebrate the Mayana Kollai festival during which time a strange ritual takes place. Babies between the ages of one and two are tossed from the rooftop of a temple, and a group of men waits below to catch them in a cloth. While this may sound dangerous, locals believe that the practice will bring the children good luck, long life, and prosperity.
3. La Tomatina Festival in Spain
Every year in the town of Buñol, Spain, a tomato fight takes place during the last Wednesday of August. The La Tomatina festival involves tons of ripe tomatoes that are flung at each other in a wild food fight. While this tradition may have started out as a way to let off some steam for the town’s young people, it is now a popular event that attracts visitors from all over the world.
4. Okinawan Dance of the Dead
On the Japanese island of Okinawa, a unique tradition takes place on the last weekend of August. Known as the Bon Odori, the dance of the dead involves villagers dressing up as their deceased relatives and performing a dance. The locals believe that this is a way to honor their ancestors and to invite their spirits back into this world briefly.
5. Thaipusam Festival in Malaysia
The Thaipusam festival is a Hindu festival that takes place in Malaysia every year. The most surprising aspect of this event is the elaborate piercings that participants undergo as a display of their faith. Devotees are usually pierced with hooks and skewers along their body, and some even carry heavy objects such as pots and spears affixed to the hooks. It is believed that the pain and blood loss from the piercings will bring good luck, health, and prosperity.
In conclusion, while these traditions may seem strange to outsiders, they are often deeply rooted in the culture and history of the region. These customs serve as a reminder of the diversity and richness of human civilization. Whether it’s a celebration of life or death, a way to gain good luck, or a demonstration of religious devotion, these cultural traditions provide a fascinating glimpse into the beliefs and practices of different communities around the world.
