18 Unusual Customs Around the World That Will Surprise You
1. La Tomatina, Spain
Every year, the small town of Buñol, located 40km west of Valencia, transforms into a battleground of juicy tomatoes with an event known as La Tomatina. This festival, held on the last Wednesday in August, attracts over 20,000 participants eager to toss over-ripe tomatoes at each other in a fun-filled, messy chaos.
It all started in the 1940s as a playful food fight between friends and has grown into a highly anticipated event. What makes La Tomatina special is not just the enormous amounts of tomatoes thrown but the shared experience of joy and laughter among friends and strangers alike.
2. Baby Jumping Festival, Spain
Known as El Colacho, this tradition dates back to 1620. Every year in Castrillo de Murcia, Spain, men dressed as devils leap over rows of babies lying on mattresses on the streets.
It’s believed that jumping over the babies cleanses them of evil spirits and brings them good luck. The event attracts participants and onlookers from all over the world. To learn more about this intriguing festival, check out National Geographic’s article on the El Colacho Baby Jumping Festival.
3. Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling, England
Every year in Gloucestershire, England, you can witness the thrilling Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling event. Competitors chase an eight-pound wheel of Double Gloucester cheese down a steep 200-yard hill. The first person to the bottom wins the cheese.
Participants come from all around the world, making it a unique and exciting global event. Watching or joining this wild race is an experience you won’t forget. More details can be found here.
4. Finger Cutting, Indonesia
The Dani tribe in Papua, Indonesia, practices a remarkable and intense custom called “Iki Palek.” When a loved one dies, Dani tribe women cut off a part of their finger to mourn.
This tradition is both fascinating and profound. Methods vary from using sharp tools like traditional knives to tying a rope tightly around a finger until it breaks. This ritual symbolizes the deep pain of loss and the strong connection to their loved ones. You can read more about it here.
5. Wife Carrying World Championships, Finland
The Wife Carrying World Championships in Finland is a fun and unique event where male competitors race while carrying a female partner. The goal is to complete the obstacle course in the fastest time.
The competition started in 1992 in Sonkajärvi, Finland. It’s inspired by a story of a bandit chief, Herkko “Robber” Ronkainen, and his wife during the Finnish famine years. This quirky event has since become an annual tradition.
For a closer look at this fascinating event, check out the Wife-Carrying World Championship and learn more about its history and rules.
6. La Mordida, Mexico
Have you ever heard of the fun and messy birthday tradition called “La Mordida” in Mexico? It’s a unique way to celebrate birthdays and involves shoving the birthday person’s face into their cake after everyone chants “Mordida! Mordida! Mordida!”
Mexican birthday cakes, often tres leches, are creamy and delicious. This tradition adds an unexpected and exciting twist to birthday celebrations. Learn more about this quirky tradition here.
7. Bullet Ant Initiation, Brazil
In the heart of the Amazon, the Sateré-Mawé tribe has a coming-of-age ritual that’s both fascinating and intense. Boys who are 12 years old and up must face the wrath of bullet ants, known for having the most painful sting of any insect.
The ants are first paralyzed, then woven into gloves made of leaves. These gloves, filled with the aggressive ants, are worn by the boys. For about ten minutes, they have to endure the stings. This test of bravery and endurance is critical for their transition into manhood. If you’re intrigued by this practice, you can learn more about it here.
8. International Hair Freezing Contest, Canada
Every winter when temperatures drop to -20 degrees Celsius, participants dip into the steaming hot springs at Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs. Your hair will freeze into wild and wonderful shapes as soon as it hits the frigid air.
This event started in 2011 and has quickly become a viral sensation. Winners are awarded cash prizes, with each taking home $2,000. If you’re looking for a bit of excitement in the cold, add the Hair Freezing Contest to your bucket list.
9. Polterabend, Germany
The Polterabend is a unique German wedding tradition that takes place the night before the wedding. Guests gather to break porcelain, believing broken shards bring good luck. This event is lively, filled with laughter and excitement, as everyone participates in smashing plates and other ceramic items.
Dating back centuries, this custom is still widely practiced today. It’s not just limited to Germany; you’ll also find it in parts of Poland, Austria, and Switzerland. For more about Polterabend, check out the detailed explanation.
10. Day of the Dead, Mexico
The Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, honors deceased loved ones with vibrant customs. This Mexican holiday is celebrated from October 31 to November 2. It’s a celebration rooted in ancient Mesoamerican traditions and has evolved over time.
The influence of the Day of the Dead extends beyond Mexico. For example, in the United States, communities with Mexican heritage partake in this heartwarming tradition. Walt Disney Studios’ animated film “Coco” highlighted these customs beautifully.
11. Cinnamon Birthday, Denmark
Have you heard of the Cinnamon Birthday tradition in Denmark? It’s an enchanting celebration for Danes turning 25! When someone reaches this milestone and is unmarried, friends shower them with cinnamon.
12. Spitting on the Bride, Greece
Greek weddings have a unique and fascinating custom where guests pretend to spit on the bride and groom. This might sound surprising, but it’s all about protecting the couple from evil spirits. According to Greek tradition, spitting symbolizes driving away bad luck and bringing good fortune.
13. Carrying the Wife Over Burning Coals, China
In some parts of China, there’s a unique and fascinating custom where a husband carries his pregnant wife over hot coals. This practice is believed to ensure an easy and successful labor. You might be surprised to learn that this ritual is quite ancient and deeply rooted in local traditions.
One reason behind this custom is to bring good luck and health to the mother and baby. This act is seen as a test of devotion and strength from the husband. It’s also thought to ward off natural disasters and bring harmony to the family.
14. Christmas with Krampus, Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic, Christmas celebrations can get a bit eerie with the arrival of Krampus. This character is a devil-like creature who accompanies St. Nicholas and an angel on December 5th. Parents confirm if their children have behaved well throughout the year.
Krampus represents the darker side of Christmas. Dressing up as Krampus involves intricate masks and costumes designed to scare misbehaving children. This tradition adds a thrilling twist to the festive season.
15. Throwing Furniture Out the Window, Italy
In Italy, welcoming the New Year is more than just fireworks and feasts. One unique tradition involves throwing old furniture out the window. This quirky practice symbolizes a fresh start by getting rid of items that no longer bring joy.
16. Monkey Buffet Festival, Thailand
Every year, Lopburi, Thailand, transforms into a unique celebration for the Monkey Buffet Festival. Thousands of monkeys are treated to a banquet where they can enjoy an array of fruits and vegetables.
The festival begins with performances by dancers dressed in monkey costumes to grab the attention of the macaques. This colorful display is both entertaining and endearing.
The Monkey Buffet Festival isn’t just about feeding monkeys. It also emphasizes primate conservation, raising awareness about the importance of protecting these fascinating creatures.
17. Red Ink for Bad News, South Korea
In South Korea, writing a person’s name in red ink is a big no-no. Red ink is traditionally used to write the names of the deceased, and doing so with a living person’s name is considered extremely bad luck.
18. Blackening the Bride, Scotland
Blackening is an age-old pre-wedding custom you’ll find in rural parts of Scotland. This unique tradition involves friends and family capturing the bride and groom. They cover them in all sorts of sticky, messy substances like treacle, eggs, flour, and feathers, making quite the spectacle.
Expect a loud parade through town, where the soon-to-be-weds are displayed for everyone to see. This boisterous event often sparks a mix of laughter and disbelief from onlookers. This ritual is steeped in history, with origins that remain a bit of a mystery.
