Around the world, cultures boast an array of traditions that can be mind-boggling and alarming to the unacquainted. From rites of passage to marriage customs, here are 21 traditions from various cultures that may shock and horrify those in the modern world.
Tooth Filing (Indonesia)
Among the Bali Aga people, this custom involves the filing down of upper canine teeth. It’s a spiritual practice believed to ward off evil spirits and maintain spiritual harmony.
Bride Kidnapping (Kyrgyzstan)
In a disturbing practice, men sometimes kidnap the woman they want to marry, forcing her into the union with familial pressure.
Female Genital Mutilation (Various Regions)
FGM involves the non-medical, partial or total removal of the external female genitalia. Despite global campaigns against it, the practice persists in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
Bullet Ant Gloves (Brazil)
For the Satere-Mawe tribe, young men wear gloves filled with bullet ants as part of their coming-of-age ritual, enduring the excruciating pain of the insect’s sting.
Sky Burials (Tibet)
In Tibetan Buddhism, bodies of the deceased are placed on mountaintops, allowing vultures to consume the remains – a practice rooted in the belief in life’s impermanence and the desire for a final act of generosity.
Foot Binding (China)
Historically in China, young girls’ feet were tightly wrapped to alter their shape and size, a practice seen as a status symbol and a mark of beauty. The damaging process has thankfully been abandoned for over a century.
Widow Burning (India)
Historically known as Sati, this horrific practice involved a widow self-immolating or being forced onto her husband’s funeral pyre. Although outlawed and rare today, sporadic incidents have been reported.
Self-Mummification (Japan)
In a shocking Buddhist practice largely abandoned in the 19th century, monks would follow a strict diet and rigorous regimen, ultimately leading to their own mummification while still alive.
Endocannibalism (Various Regions)
In some cultures, consumption of the deceased’s remains is a form of expressing grief or reverence. While largely abandoned, the practice has been documented among various tribes in the past.
Thaipusam Piercings (Malaysia)
During the Thaipusam festival, devotees of the Tamil community undergo body piercing with skewers and hooks as a form of penance, showing their devotion to the deity Murugan.
Neck Elongation (Various Regions)
In certain cultures, particularly the Kayan tribe in Myanmar, girls start wearing brass rings around their necks from a young age to elongate them over time. This body modification practice is seen as a sign of beauty and elegance.
Ashura Self-Flagellation (Shi’a Islam)
During the commemoration of Ashura, some Shi’a Muslims practice self-flagellation to mourn the martyrdom of Hussein ibn Ali, a key figure in their faith.
Animal Sacrifice (Various Regions)
In numerous cultures, animal sacrifice is practiced as a religious ritual. The animals are often offered to deities or ancestral spirits.
Infanticide (Various Regions)
Disturbingly, in certain societies, female or physically-disabled infants were historically killed due to cultural biases or resource scarcity. The practice is universally condemned and illegal today.
Ghost Marriage (Sudan)
In some Sudanese cultures, if a man dies unmarried, his family may arrange a “ghost marriage” by selecting a bride to marry his spirit, ensuring continuation of his lineage.
Scarification (Various Regions)
In some African and Indigenous Australian cultures, scarification – the practice of intentionally creating scars on the skin – is a form of initiation, beauty, or social status.
Tongue Splitting (Various Regions)
In certain subcultures, people split their tongues for aesthetic reasons or to identify with a group. This body modification is often viewed as extreme and risky.
Cannibalistic Healing (16th-17th Century Europe)
Historically, some Europeans believed that consuming human remains could cure ailments. While this macabre medical practice has long been abandoned, it serves as a chilling reminder of past medicinal theories.
Hanging Coffins (China, Philippines)
In parts of China and the Philippines, coffins are often hung on cliffs, believed to prevent bodies from being taken by beasts and to bless the soul with eternal life.
Crying Marriages (China)
In the Tujia ethnic group in China, brides start crying a month before their wedding, as part of a tradition believed to express joy through tears.
Finger Amputation (Indonesia)
Among the Dani tribe in Papua, Indonesia, close female relatives amputate part of a finger upon the death of a family member, symbolizing their sorrow and suffering.
These bone-chilling traditions provide a stark reminder of humanity’s diverse and sometimes disturbing cultural practices. Although many of these customs are no longer active or are seen as human rights violations, understanding them offers insight into various societal values and beliefs around the globe.
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