Strange Religious Practices Around The World

Religious practices all around the world bind people with similar interests together. However, there are some odd rituals that still exist in the 21^st century that might shock you to the core.

·       Bringing good luck for the baby:

In some parts of western India, there is a ritual of throwing a newborn from a rooftop, commonly known as Baby Tossing. The baby is first shaken by a priest and then dropped from a height of nearly 50 feet. Baby Tossing, practiced in the first week of December, is supposed to bring good luck to the baby and ensures that it brings no harm to anyone.

·       Indonesian no toilet ritual:

In the Tidong community of Indonesia, a newly married couple is restricted from using toilet for three days after they are married. People from this community believe that if a newly married couple does not follow this tradition, it will bring them terrible luck. This terrible luck might include a divorce, infidelity, or death of their children.

·       Eat the dead! :

Yanomami tribe of Amazon follows a tradition of eating the ashes of a dead person with bananas. According to the people of this tribe, this ritual brings peace to the soul of the dead. If a person does not die of a natural cause (killed by an enemy), the ashes of the burnt body are only eaten by the women of the village.

·       Eat the dead! (Vulture edition):

Sky burial is a tradition followed in Tibetan Buddhism. When a person dies, his/her body is chopped into pieces and placed on a special sky burial place. The chopped pieces are then expected to attract vultures. This practice is the most common way to deal with the dead in Tibet as vultures are considered sacred and are supposed to grant the wishes of the dead.

·       Dance with the dead:

In Madagascar, dead bodies are taken out of their graves, rewrapped in fresh cloth, followed by a dancing festival with the dead. The dead bodies are then returned to their respective graves. Fortunately, this practice has its own name – Famadihana. Another belief in Madagascar is that the dead become Gods.

·       Teeth Chiseling:

A tribe in Indonesia believes that women with pointy teeth are beautiful. This tradition is practiced with sharp tools without the help of anesthesia. Later, in order to lessen the pain, the women are given bananas. This ritual is also believed to bring peace and harmony in a person.

·       Land Diving:

The modern bungee jumping is inspired from a practice in Bunlap. Gol, or land diving, is a tradition where men tie their ankles and jump from a tower. This tradition proves manhood and brings a good harvest for the people of Bunlap.

·       Kaparot:

In a Jewish tradition, a chicken is grasped and moved around one’s head three times. This ritual transfers a person’s sins to the chicken. The chicken is later slaughtered and distributed among the poor.

·       Chasing a naked man:

Every year in Japan, over 10,000 men participate in the Shinto Naked Festival. A person is chosen as a naked man. He is supposed to run across the streets naked. He is then chased by several men trying to touch him. The touch brings them good luck and prosperity. The festival might sound fun but it can sometimes get dangerous due to over-excitement of the chasers. This leads to injuries and kicks to the naked man.