Unique Customs and Culture around the world

1. Teeth tossing in Greece: Some cultures pop children’s teeth under their pillows and wait for a swap with cold hard cash by a fairy. Others throw a baby’s recently liberated tooth on their roofs.

2. Baby Jumping in Spain: Residents in a small Northern Community take part in baby jumping, called El Colacho, to keep the devil at bay. Men dressed as the devil run between and jump over infants, who are laid on mattresses along the streets.

3. Avoiding using red ink in South Korea: Based on their history and customs, red ink was used to write down names of dead people. It is therefore considered a taboo to write someone’s name in red.

4. Initiation custom in Brazil: It is strange how young boys prove their bravery and strength. In the Satare Mawe tribe they showcase the courage by placing hands in a basket filled with angry bullet ants. The bites are real pain.
5. The Monkey Buffet Festival in Thailand: Some people might be surprised to be looking at some monkeys atop a buffet table, feasting on sumptuous dishes.  In this annual festivity, over 3000 kgs of fruits and vegetables are fed to several monkeys that dwell in Lopburi, Bangkok.

I am in ketchup heaven!

6. Tomato craze in Spain: La Tomatina is the biggest tomato fight that exists. It is a strange culture among the Valencians in Bunol where tomatoes are used as weapons. Snowball fights are so last year.

7. The Polterabend custom in Germany: Just before couples are wed, their families and close friends meet for an informal affair. Then, all guests are requested to break things such as dinner wares and flower vases, anything except glasses. As soon as the entire place is in disarray, the couples should clear up the broken things. This tradition shows the couple the significance of being united and of hard work, which is necessary to make their marriage work. At least they are in for a hell of a start. Things can only improve from here.

 

8. Witches’ Night in the Czech Republic: Prague has more than its fair share of rituals and traditions, one of which sees young lovers jump over the dying embers of bonfires. Single men are also encouraged, on this day, to leave tokens of freshly cut branches on the doorstep of the women of the affections. It was once believed that the evil powers on this evening, which falls in between the ancient feast days of St. Jacob and St. Phillip, were far stronger than normal and that for this evening only they ruled over the good. Flocks of witches riding broomsticks were said to soar the skies, and the Czechs believed that the bonfires would bring them down in flames. Nowadays the celebration is far more light-hearted, and the biggest bonfire in the country takes place in the center of the Czech capital. 

Let’s hope they didn’t use tattoo ink.

9. The Blackening and Henna weddings in muslim countries: A strange culture in Islam where women from the bride’s family surround her and paint designs on her feet, arms and hands to symbolize womanhood, provide fertility and luck to the woman. This happens two days before the wedding. Like tattooes, just not permanent.

10. Bushido and Seppuku of Japan: Bushido has remained the warrior code that emphasizes loyalty, strength, and integrity. Seppuku is the ritual suicide, which is an alternative to defeat. This strange custom continues up to today where it is considered better to commit it rather than surrender.