One of the best things about travel is experiencing sights, sounds and situations you would never have come across otherwise. Often, these cultural differences are enough to make us stop and think — and then there are those that are so odd you can’t quite believe they happen. Here are seven of the strangest cultural traditions in the world today.
Because we live in a world where money is needed to survive, Latte Lindsay runs a number of affiliate programmes and offers contributed or partnered content. If you choose to click the links and read the posts, the site may earn a commission or receive a payment. All of the opinions are my own. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any partner brands/company(s), beauty & lifestyle brands, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities unless specified.
Throwing tomatoes in Spain
Ever wondered what it would be like to join in with a giant food fight? In the Spanish town of Buñol, you don’t have to, because every August they host La Tomatina, a festival where participants throw squashed tomatoes at each other.
No one seems to know for sure how the festival started, but rumour has it La Tomatina originated in 1945 after some children disrupted a parade by throwing tomatoes and returned in subsequent years to mark the occasion. Despite attempts to shut it down, the festival continues to grow in popularity and gets bigger and bigger every year.
(Photo by Lars Blankers on Unsplash)
Fermenting horse milk in Mongolia
Mongol nomads milk horses to get their milk. So far, so normal, but what happens next? Not so much. Once they have the milk, the nomads put it in a leather bag and leave it out in the sun, where it ferments until it’s ready.
For more weird food concoctions, head to 1Cover’s Secret Traveller blog (if you can stomach it).
Groundhog Day in the US
Groundhog Day takes place on 2nd February every year. Everyone waits to see whether the groundhog will emerge from his burrow, and whether or not it will see its shadow. Legend has it that if the groundhog sees the shadow and retreats, winter will continue for six more weeks. If the groundhog doesn’t see its shadow, spring will arrive soon.
Despite there being no correlation between the shadows and the seasons, Groundhog Day remains popular, with tens of thousands of people heading to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where the largest celebration is held. You can read more about the history of Groundhog Day here.
Walking over hot coals in China
Plenty of people take up the challenge to walk over hot coals and prove their bravery, but in China it holds special significance. When a man and a woman are married, the man must walk over hot coals as he carries his wife over the threshold for the first time. This is supposed to symbolise the pain of labour and giving birth to children and is a show of solidarity and support for the wife.
(Photo by Armando Ascorve Morales on Unsplash)
The Monkey Buffet Festival in Thailand
Strange though it may be, this is exactly what it sounds like — chefs prepare an elaborate spread for the monkeys in Thailand and set it out on long tables. Even the locals get involved, offering fruit, sweets, and drinks. Woe betide you if you get in between a monkey and its snacks.
Cinnamon showers in Denmark
Those who are unmarried and turning 25 should avoid Denmark if they can — it’s tradition for your friends to surprise you by showering you with ground cinnamon. If you reach 30 and remain unmarried then you are showered with pepper instead. Get a first-hand account of this unusual tradition here.
Spitting on the bride in Greece
In Greek culture, spitting is not a sign of disgust, but one of good luck. These days, Greeks are more likely to make a spitting sound instead *ftou*, often three times in a row to represent the Holy Trinity. The spitting sound is most commonly heard at christenings, weddings, and anytime someone wants to protect themselves and their loved ones from evil and misfortune.
This is a sponsored article
Text is written in cooperation with TravelersBuddy www.thetravelersbuddy.com