Strange traditions and social customs of the world have the ability to surprise all of us. We all know that India abounds in customs and social practices that evade logic and scientific explanations. Nonetheless, there are a few of them around the world that provides a very interesting insight into human psychology.
Couvade
A ritual where an expectant father adopts specific behaviour, restrictions and physical symptoms associated with pregnancy and childbirth. Historically, it was significant in establishing symbolic and public paternal rights and the paternal bond with the newborn.
Avoidance
This interestingly is a prescribed behavioral pattern where one is prohibited from social and physical contact with certain kin or family members. The younger brother’s wife is forbidden to interact with her husband’s elder brother or even with people like the mother in law’s brother, and her father in law. These practices ensure and maintain social distancing and decorum, incest taboos and boundaries.
Joking
Another in the list of strange traditions and social customs is this social behaviour that allows a relationship where individuals tease, mock, joke, banter with specific relatives. In this neither party takes offence. Thus a convivial atmosphere is created.
These socio-cultural interactions are found around the world, some of the practices are bizarre and illogical.
Finger Cutting
The Dani tribe indigenous to Indonesia and New Guinea have a strange custom. In this a grieving woman amputates a portion of her finger upon the death of a close family member.
Satare-Mawe Initiation
Young men in Satare Mawe tribe undergo an agonizing test to prove their manhood. They put their hands in woven gloves containing bullet ants for twenty minutes, a daring and painful feat.
Famadihana
This is known as the “turning of the bones” in Madagascar. Families periodically exhume their ancestors’ remains every few years, wrap them in fresh silk shrouds, and dance with them, celebrating life and their memory.
Cinnamon and Pepper Shaming
In Denmark when a person reaches 25 years of age and is still single, which is a matter of shame, he is doused in cinnamon and with pepper if he has crossed 30.
This list of strange traditions and social customs is inexhaustible, each carries a distinct flavour of their culture and unique tradition. However generally, the significance is to reinforce group solidarity, pass down ancestral values and connect the individual to their roots.
