Unusual Customs and Rituals Around the Globe
Humans are known to be creatures of habit, and some of those habits are unique to certain cultures around the world. From celebrating the dead to throwing babies off a tower, here are some unusual customs and rituals around the globe.
1. Day of the Dead, Mexico
The Day of the Dead is a Mexican celebration honoring those who have passed away. Celebrated from October 31st to November 2nd, people build altars in their homes with photos, food, and drinks that the deceased enjoyed. Families visit the graves of their loved ones, adorn them with flowers, and have picnics near them.
2. Baby Throwing, India
Held annually in southern India, the ritual of baby throwing is known as the annual Bani Festival. Parents throw their babies off a 30-foot tower, and, to ensure the baby’s safety, it is caught by a group of men with a sheet.
3. The Burial Ritual, Tibet
Those who practice Tibetan Buddhism have a unique burial ritual known as sky burial. The deceased person’s body is cut into small pieces by the rogyapas, or body breakers, and left on a mountaintop to return to nature.
4. Clapping Music, Ghana
Ghanaians have a unique way of communicating, clapping music. Used in traditional dances and other festivities, it involves clapping hands and slapping various parts of the body to create a rhythm.
5. Marriage Proposal, Fiji
In Fiji, men show their love and commitment to their significant other by bringing the kava root to the woman’s elders as a gesture of respect. The root is then pounded into a drink and shared among the group.
6. Bun Festival, Hong Kong
The Bun Festival takes place annually in Hong Kong and is known for the bun tower, where participants stand atop a tower made up of buns. It is believed that the higher one reaches, the closer they are to the gods.
In conclusion, customs and rituals may seem strange and unusual to outsiders, but they hold significant meaning and are an essential part of various cultures worldwide. These practices allow us to connect with our past, honor our dead, and bring communities together.
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