Unbelievable Cultural Traditions from Around the World You Probably Haven’t Heard Of
When we think of cultural traditions, we often default to familiar practices, such as Thanksgiving in the United States or Christmas in Europe. However, around the world, there are numerous unique and mesmerizing traditions that can leave a lasting impression on us. Here are some of the lesser-known cultural traditions that you probably haven’t heard of.
The Wodaabe Gerewol Festival in Niger
The Wodaabe people, a subgroup of the Fulani tribe in Niger, have a distinctive tourist attraction that takes place yearly, known as the Gerewol Festival. During the festival, young Wodaabe boys will dress up in magnificent costumes and makeup, present themselves to the girls, and dance in hopes of attracting a partner. Although it is mostly done for entertainment, it is also a mating ritual that is taken seriously in their culture.
The Star Festival in Japan
Japan’s Tanabata, or Star Festival, is based on the ancient Chinese legend that two lovers, Orihime and Hikoboshi, are separated by the Milky Way and only permitted to meet once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. People flock to celebrations, which are held throughout the country, to write their wishes on colorful strips of paper and hang them from bamboo branches.
El Colacho, The Baby Jumping Festival in Spain
In Castrillo de Murcia, Spain, parents lay down their babies as part of the El Colacho Festival, where men dressed in devilish costumes jump over them, supposedly to cleanse the babies of evil spirits and bless them. It is not a practice that you would expect to see in the 21st century, and some say it has a dark history. But El Colacho, which takes place yearly and is considered a cultural event, continues to be celebrated in parts of Spain.
The Crop Over Festival in Barbados
Barbados’ Crop Over Festival has a long history dating back to the eighteenth century, where slaves would mark the end of the sugarcane harvest with a festive parade. Today it’s a month-long event featuring Costumed street parades, calypso and steel drum music, the crowning of the King and Queen of the Crop, and the Kadooment Day parade, where participants wearing glitter-covered costumes dance to live music in the streets.
The Maasai Olympics in Kenya and Tanzania
The Maasai tribes of Kenya and Tanzania conduct their Olympic Games every two years, featuring traditional events such as running, high jumping, and spear throwing. The idea behind holding the games is to encourage the Maasai youths to preserve their culture and wildlife instead of being involved in sports hunting.
Conclusion
Cultural traditions are an essential part of our shared humanity, and discovering new ones is always exciting. Although the traditions mentioned above represent only a small fraction of the activities celebrated around the world, they show that there are innumerable ways in which people express their values and beliefs. So, the next time you’re attending a cultural event, take note of its unique aspects and appreciate it for the rich tradition it represents.
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