"Not like everyone else": unusual traditions in the world

A variety of peoples live on our planet. People with white, red, black skin, with almond-shaped and slanted eyes. A great many peoples live on earth and each has its own traditions. People speak different languages, eat different foods, play different games. But each of them loves holidays.

The most unusual traditions

There are holidays and traditions that almost everyone loves. So, almost all over the world Christmas, New Year and Easter are celebrated. But there are also special traditions such as Hanukkah, the Day of the Three Kings associated with ancient customs.

If we talk about the most unusual traditions, then it is worth starting from the distant past, when morals were more cruel, and life was the most difficult.

In Greek Sparta in the fourth century BC, boys from the age of seven were sent into the army, to study military affairs. And they could return back only after fifty-five years. However, few people lived up to such "advanced" years at that time.

And girls from prosperous families were sent to Ginkei (something like a girls' boarding house). Where they locked themselves up and did not have access to society outside. All their time they learned to cook, spin, play musical instruments, sing, and do housework. And they could get out of there only upon reaching sixteen years, only in order to go to their husband, who was chosen by her father. But before that, she needs to take a course of physical training (running, jumping, wrestling). All this was done so that the girl could produce healthy offspring and become a worthy mother.

In the modern world, everything is more simple. There are many laws, conventions, principles. However, there are customs that have not been lost, but after passing through the centuries have undergone changes, adjusting to the time, but not losing their meaning.

It was customary for the Aztec warriors of ancient Mexico to fly on a religious holiday. The warriors dressed up in bright outfits depicting silhouettes of birds. They climbed a high post, tied themselves by the legs and jumped down from the top. The ropes were fixed on the pole in a special way. Before the warrior landed on the ground, he made many revolutions around the post. This flight depicted the movement of the sun across the sky. This ritual has come down to our times, but has the character of a colorful performance.

Unusual traditions of peoples

Opening of the fish season

Every year in February in Argungu (Nigeria), the opening of the fish season is celebrated. Once upon a time it was a means of obtaining food, centuries later, everything grew into a two-day performance. Thousands of men and youths move with nets and vessels made of pumpkins along the bottom of the Sokoto River. Thus, they frighten large fish (its weight can reach seventy kilograms) and drive it into shallow water. There is already fish and is caught. Bare-handed fishing competitions are also held. To watch this spectacle, crowds of people come to the banks of the river.

City of cats

In Belgium, in the city of Ypres, cats are worshiped. On May 8, a real cat festival is held there, followed by a carnival procession. Tradition requires throwing a toy cat from a tower in the market square, and then taking part in the procession, following a motorcade of cat sleds. The costume must of course be a feline one.

Where did this custom come from and why did the residents turn it into a holiday? In fact, everything is simple. Once upon a time, Ypres was an industrial city for the production of yarn and thread. Naturally, after some time, the city was flooded with hordes of mice. People have not thought of anything better than getting cats. When the question with mice disappeared, a new one appeared. What to do with so many cats that bred and flooded the whole city. It is not known who invented it and why this particular method, but people did not find a better solution than throwing the poor animals from the city tower. Naturally, flying to the ground, the animal broke to death. Moreover, it was believed that the more cats will be thrown off, the better the year will be.

This brutal tradition continued until 1817. When, according to the description of the chronicler, the last thrown cat did not crash, but landed on its paws and threw itself on the ditch as fast as it could. After that, the inhabitants of Ypres stopped celebrating this holiday by throwing live cats from the bell tower.

Unusual traditions of different countries

Ravana

On the last day of the festival of Dussehra, a huge figure of the demonic king Ravanna is burned. Ancient legends tell that Ravanna was killed by Rama, the greatest God Vishnu, who was born in the form of a man. Prior to this, Rowana angered him by kidnapping Rama's faithful wife.

Devil's Mask

Buddhist tradition for the New Year. The monk wears a mask that depicts the face of the devil, adorned with skulls. And in it he performs the dance with which he meets the Tibetan New Year. With this ritual, the monks try to drive out evil spirits.

Strange traditions in the world

Malmedy

This is a very unusual carnival. On it, people put huge top hats on their heads. It takes four days in duration and is held before the onset of Lent. On the first day, close people meet in a cafe, from Friday to Saturday, to meet the morning together. Then everyone gathers in the square and watches as the Mer passes the keys to the city of Trouvle (fictional character). This is the beginning of the holiday. Trouvle is the embodiment of the carnival itself.

On this day, the Carnival procession begins, where Trouvle, along with his retinue, parades through the streets of the city.

On Sunday, all the townspeople join the carnival. They put on folk costumes and dance together with Trouvle.

On Monday, various theaters show small performances right on the streets and squares of the city.

And the final stage is Tuesday evening, when all residents gather in the main square to burn a large scarecrow "Aglet".