More than 4 thousand nationalities live on planet Earth, and each has its own national culture, traditions, rituals and holidays. Historical science and archaeological research confirm that the holidays appeared during the emergence of religious beliefs. If the nations can still be somehow calculated, then with the holidays such a procedure is impossible to do. Let's go on a trip around the planet and find out what are the most unusual holidays in the world.
1
Pirate day
A feast in honor of the pirates began a procession around the world in the United States, and is traditionally celebrated in September. Thanks to the media and social networks, it has become quite popular in European and Asian countries. Now it is an official international holiday.
Nowadays, few people are surprised when on September 19 thousands of people take to the streets of cities in pirate robes and with parrots on their shoulders. On the streets of Russia on that day, familiar songs are heard, among which “Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum” is the most popular.
2
Championship of scary and funny faces
The British say that such an unusual championship has its history since 1297. But be that as it may, every year at the crabs fair, a lot of people gather to look at the terrible faces that the contestants make up.
The absolute champion is the legendary Peter Jackson. In order to become a champion, the man pulled out all his teeth, which allowed him to build terrible faces.
3
Banquet of monkeys
Thailand surprises with its original traditions, and in the province of Lopburi, an unusual festival is held with the participation of monkeys. For dinner, more than 500 monkeys are invited, for whom tropical treats are prepared.
The feast is held in honor of the especially revered god Rama in the country. According to one legend, it was the monkeys who helped the deity defeat their enemies, therefore they arrange a magnificent feast for them.
By the way, look at most-beauty.ru an interesting article about the most beautiful places in Thailand.
4
Tomatoino
The battle of tomatoes is held in late August in the Spanish city of Bunyola. The Spaniards are temperamental and cheerful people, so they see off the summer with fireworks, incendiary dances to traditional Spanish music.
The culmination of the festival is the battle of tomatoes in the main city square, onto which trucks transport tons of red vegetables. Participants throw themselves at each other, and city streets are filled with real tomato rivers.
5
Hadak Matsuri Nude Festival
One of the most conservative countries in terms of culture, sometimes relaxes at very original festivals. The holiday has an ancient tradition, because it has been held since 767. Only men gather in the Saidaji temple. Of the clothes on them, only small cuts of matter tied to the hips. The purpose of the ritual is to attract the good fortune and favor of the gods.
After the ceremony in the temple, when the participants are cleansed of filth, men walk along the streets of the city of Nara. Any passerby can touch the participants to get rid of misfortunes. It is necessary to have a certain courage and health in order to become a participant in the ritual, because it takes place in February.
6
Zombie march
The traditions of the New World have long ceased to amaze residents of the good old Europe, but this parade can tickle the nerves of even the most persistent. In many cities in the United States and Canada, a kind of zombie bomb is held when hundreds of “living dead” take to the streets in search of victims.
The masks and costumes of the participants are striking in their diversity. Someone just buys rubber masks in stores, and someone is doused with real blood, scaring passers-by.
7
Aphelio
The Scottish town of Lerwick is famous for hosting the Aphelio festival. The townspeople build a huge Viking boat, dress up in armor, and in this form march around the city.
The Viking torchlight procession gathers thousands of people, and all this is accompanied by a drumming and the sound of copper horns. The model of the ship is carried to the sea, and there, setting fire, they are thrown into the water. Everything goes in accordance with the tradition of the Viking funeral rite, which so buried the soldiers who died in battle.
8
Flower parade
In the homeland of tulips, a colorful flower festival is held annually on the first weekend of autumn. Thousands of participants and tourists gather in the town of Aalsmeer to watch the festive procession.
On mobile platforms along the main street colorful flower beds with flowers move, followed by heroes of fairy tales and myths. The music is loud, and the houses of the townspeople are decorated with thousands of flowers. The procession ends on the main square of the capital of Holland, where a festive concert takes place.
9
Holi
India has always been and remains a country of mysteries and secrets, and therefore it is here that an unusual festival of colors, called Holi, takes place. Thousands of people on the new moon pour themselves with colorful paints, marking the arrival of spring in such an original way.
The holiday has long stepped beyond the borders of India, and has gained tens of thousands of followers around the world. In Russia, even people far from the traditions of Buddhism, sprinkle themselves with paints on this day, and at the same time wish everyone peace and prosperity, prosperity in the house.
10
Tapai
This name is a holiday on Easter Island. On this day, relatives conduct rituals in honor of deceased ancestors. Ritual dances are held on the temple, and participants dress in special ritual clothes.
In addition to dancing, at the Tapai festival, unusual competitions are held in which men and women run with large bundles of bananas. In conclusion, a strict jury consisting of elders selects the queen of triumph.
Summary
To summarize, we note that some holidays are so unusual that it is difficult for representatives of other cultures to understand their essence and purpose. But the world is expanding its borders, and during the period of globalization, many unusual holidays become international.
Article author: Valery Skiba