20 Weird and shocking traditions from around the world

Johannesburg, South Africa – New Year’s Furniture Toss

In certain neighborhoods of Johannesburg, South Africa, it’s traditional to throw old furniture out of windows on New Year’s Day. The act symbolizes getting rid of the old to welcome the new and is seen as a fresh start for the coming year. Although dangerous and now discouraged by authorities, the tradition still persists in some areas.

Sri Lanka – Full Moon Public Holidays

Sri Lanka observes a public holiday known as "Poya Day" on every full moon of the month. Each Poya Day marks an important event in the Buddhist calendar, such as Buddha's birth, enlightenment, or first sermon. On these days, people typically visit temples, fast, and refrain from alcohol and meat consumption.

China – Week-Long Public Holidays

China designates some of its public holidays, like the Spring Festival and National Day, to last an entire week. These extended breaks accommodate the massive travel surge, as hundreds of millions of citizens journey across the country to visit family. The government also staggers workdays before and after the holidays to make the extended break possible.

Turkmenistan – Melon Day

Every second Sunday of August, Turkmenistan celebrates "Melon Day," a national holiday dedicated to the country’s prized fruit. Special attention is given to the local variety called the "Turkmenbashi melon," praised for its unique taste and size. The day features exhibitions, tastings, and cultural performances that highlight national pride.

Madagascar – Famadihana

In Madagascar, the Famadihana ceremony involves exhuming the remains of deceased relatives every seven years to celebrate with the living. Family members wrap the bones in fresh cloth, dance with them, and share stories in a joyful gathering. The tradition reflects the Malagasy people's deep respect for their ancestors and the belief that the dead remain part of the family.

La Tomatina, Spain

La Tomatina is a massive tomato-throwing festival held annually in Buñol, Spain, as part of a week-long celebration. It likely began in 1945 during a parade when a scuffle led to a spontaneous tomato fight. Despite initial police crackdowns, the event grew in popularity and now attracts thousands of participants each year.

Smashing Coconuts on People’s Skulls in India

In Tamil Nadu, India, some Hindus voluntarily have coconuts smashed on their heads during the Aadi Perukku festival to seek blessings for health and success. The ritual may have originated from devotion to Lord Shiva or as a protest against British colonial plans. Though dramatic, participants often appear unharmed and see it as a sacred tradition.

Festival of Scrambled Eggs in Bosnia

Zenica, Bosnia celebrates the arrival of spring with the Čimburijada festival, centered around a mass scrambled egg breakfast. Eggs are cooked in huge pans and shared among attendees near the Bosna River. The day continues with partying, barbecues, and river jumping.

Throwing Cinnamon at Single 25-Year-Olds in Denmark

In Denmark, turning 25 while still single means you’ll be doused in water and cinnamon by friends and family. The quirky tradition is rooted in the history of unmarried spice salesmen. If someone remains single at 30, the prank escalates to include pepper and sometimes eggs.

The Monkey Buffet Festival in Thailand

In Lopburi, Thailand, macaques are honored with a grand feast during the annual Monkey Buffet Festival. Fruits and vegetables are arranged in towers for monkeys to feast on, while people enjoy performances and food stalls. The festival celebrates the belief that these monkeys bring good luck to the region.

Polterabend in Germany

Polterabend is a German pre-wedding tradition where friends and family smash ceramics like plates and tiles outside the bride and groom’s home. The act is believed to bring good luck, though glass and mirrors are avoided due to superstitions. The couple then cleans up the mess together as a symbolic gesture of teamwork in marriage.

Shoving Faces in Cake in Mexico

"La Mordida" is a Mexican birthday tradition where the celebrant’s face is pushed into the cake after being restrained. Guests chant “Mordida!” meaning “take a bite,” while laughter and mess ensue. This playful custom may have roots in Aztec and Mayan celebrations filled with humor and fun.

Battle of the Oranges in Italy

Ivrea, Italy hosts a massive orange-throwing battle in the days before Mardi Gras, with residents forming teams and pelting each other. The origins are believed to trace back to a rebellion against a tyrant in medieval times. Though chaotic, it’s a symbolic reenactment of liberation and resistance.

Baby Tossing in India

In parts of Maharashtra and Karnataka, India, a centuries-old ritual involves dropping babies from temples onto cloth held below. Originally believed to test divine protection due to high infant mortality rates, it’s now practiced more safely. The act is thought to bring blessings, good fortune, and long life to the child.

Baby Jumping – Spain

In the village of Castrillo de Murcia, Spain, a tradition called El Colacho is held each year. Men dressed as devils leap over rows of babies placed on mattresses in a symbolic act of purification. The ritual is believed to cleanse the infants of original sin and shield them from evil.

Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling – England

Each year in Gloucestershire, England, people gather to take part in the wild Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling race. Contestants chase a large wheel of cheese as it barrels down a dangerously steep hill. Though injuries are common, the event draws daring participants from all over the world.

Bullet Ant Initiation – Brazil

Among the Satere-Mawe tribe in Brazil, young boys undergo a painful initiation into manhood. They must wear gloves filled with bullet ants, whose sting is considered one of the most agonizing in the insect world. The ordeal is a test of courage, endurance, and readiness for adult life.

Nagoro Doll Village – Japan

Nagoro, a quiet village in Japan, is known for its lifelike population of handmade dolls. Created by local artist Ayano Tsukimi, the dolls represent former residents who have either passed away or left the village. These eerie figures now outnumber actual people, giving the village a haunting yet fascinating atmosphere.

Blackening the Bride – Scotland

In parts of Scotland, brides-to-be undergo a messy pre-wedding tradition known as “blackening.” Friends and family cover the bride in substances like eggs, flour, and molasses before parading her through town. This noisy and chaotic ritual is meant to prepare her for the unpredictable nature of marriage.

Sky Burials – Tibet

In Tibetan culture, sky burials are a sacred funeral practice performed in high mountain regions. The deceased’s body is placed on a mountaintop to be consumed by vultures, symbolizing the return of the body to nature. It reflects the belief that the soul moves on, while the body serves one final purpose.