In a world with diverse cultures, religions, tribes and customs, it is impossible for someone to like everything. Despite the age of civilisation and technology, some communities are stucked with age long traditions.
Here are 7 uncommon traditions around the world.
Walking dead, Indonesia
The Toraja people of Indonesia practice this absurd culture of putting a body in a temporary coffin before resurrecting ‘it’.
According to the religious beliefs of the Toraja people, in order for a deceased person to reach the afterlife known as “Puya” or “The Land of Souls”, their corpse must be returned to the place of their birth for burial.
Throwing babies
In India, people in Solapur village, Maharashtra toss new born babies off from the terrace of 50ft tower which they believe gives their children good luck, long and healthy life.
However, there are people at the foot of the tower holding sheets to catch the baby safely.
Wearing neck rings to have giraffe’s neck, Thailand
Thailand’s Karen tribe is fascinated with long necks and looks like they can go a long way to achieve them. They consider the long necks as an impression of beauty among them.
Girls start wearing rings around their necks when they are all of 5 and more rings are added as they grow up. The South Ndebele peoples of Africa also wear neck rings.
Carrying pregnant wife over burning coal, China
In China, once a woman conceives, the father-to-be carries his pregnant wife over amber coloured, burning coal. It is said that if the father successfully does this, the mother is believed to have a smooth and less painful labour.
Monkey Buffet Festival, Thailand
As the name suggests, this is a buffet for monkeys celebrated by the Lopburi people. Here over 200 monkeys are fed with over 3,000 kgs of fruits and vegetables, on display for the monkeys to gorge on.
Mourning of Muharram
Muharram is the annual celebration which commemorates the death of Muhammad’s grandson Hussain who was killed along with 72 warriors at the Battle of Karbala.
On this day, a number of groups consisting of Shia Muslims go out with whips attached with knives and blades and start beating them up unstoppably. This tradition has been passed over to their descendants from generations.
El Colacho baby jumping
The residents of Spain have been taking part in this dangerous and weird culture called El Colacho since 1620. El Colacho means baby jumping and is organized to keep the Devils away. In this festival, infants are laid on the mattresses in the street and the jumpers wear the traditional costumes to look like the Devils.
