They say that it’s a small world, but is it really? How much do we really know about the different cultures with all their strange traditions?
People are so different in their way of life that what feels like a customary tradition to some seems like a bizarre notion to others.
And remember that if you look for the deep meaning behind these strange traditions, you will probably find that they make weird sense, regardless of their eccentricity.
So let’s take a look at some of the strange traditions around the world, and keep in mind that what may seem so weird to you feels totally normal to other cultures. And vice versa!
Carrying the wife over burning coals, China
Some tribes in China follow a strange tradition where the husband carries his wife and walks over burning coals.
These tribes believe that this practice would help the wife have painless labor. And some believe that walking over burning coals prevents natural disasters.
Some choose to do this as the husband and wife take their first step into their new home and some choose to do it when they know that the wife is pregnant.
The husband usually does this barefoot with his wife on his back. Ouch, this tradition seems pretty painful!
The baby jumping festival, Spain
In a yearly festival locally called El Colacho in the Spanish village of Castrillo de Murcia, men dressed as yellow devils run and jump over babies.
During this festival babies born in the previous year are placed in arranged rows of pillows spaced out down a public street. Then men dressed in bright yellow costumes, and weird masks begin to run down the street jumping over the rows of children like Olympic hurdlers.
This tradition started in the early 1600s; the villagers believe that it keeps the devil away from these children. The babies are sprinkled with rose petals after the run.
Breaking porcelain for good luck, Germany
The German custom is called Polterabend. It is an informal party where the family and friends of soon to be wed couples gather to break porcelain items such as dinner wares and flower vases.
The couples should then clear up the broken things. This tradition is believed to bring good luck to the new marriage. Or at least to show the couple the significance of hard work and unity, which are an integral part of any marriage.
Cinnamon birthday party, Denmark
If you are single in Denmark, it is customary for your friends and family to throw you a birthday celebration by covering you in cinnamon when you reach 25.
Many believe that the tradition dates back to when spice salesmen would travel around and remain bachelors. These salesmen never settled in one place long enough to meet a suitable spouse.
However, the Danish people probably kept the tradition because it provides them with a fun way to celebrate a significant birthday.
Well, it’s all fun and games until you reach 30, then they exchange cinnamon with peppers. That doesn’t sound like fun!
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