5 Weird And Unique Traditions Around The World That People Actually Celebrate
How uniquely Singaporean do you think are the many traditions that we still hold dear in this day and age without questioning why certain things are the way they are? There are plenty of strange and unique traditions around the world that people happily embrace and honour, too. Some are horrifying and cringeworthy while others are simply charming. Here, we at GET.com share with you 5 unique traditions around the globe that people actually celebrate.
5 Unique Traditions Around The World That People Actually Celebrate
1. Night Of The Radishes
Most Singaporeans are no stranger to carved vegetables that always seem to find a place in our dishes as garnish but things get a little more bizarre in the Mexican state of Oaxaca every 23rd of December. Radishes that have been meticulously carved and put on display.
2. Hangul Day
Just in case you are not a K-Pop or K-Drama fan yet and you have no idea what on earth Hangul is, Hangul is the Korean alphabet. Right then, Hangul Day is the special day where citizens of both South Korea and North Korea celebrate the proclamation and creation of the Korean alphabet.
Like the 38th Parallel that still divides the two Korean nations till this day, people on both sides dedicate different days to commemorate Hangul Day.
3. Hadaka Matsuri
Also known as the Naked Man Festival in Japan, Hadaka Matsuri is commemorated on one of the most frigid nights of the year to assess guys' bravery and manhood. I'm not sure how stripping almost bare (or bare) when it is freezing cold helps one secure good luck for the rest of the year, but hey, take that from these things called tradition and beliefs. The annual Hadaka Matsuri rituals vary across Japan, though.
4. Nenana Ice Classic
Oh boy, this Alaskan tradition is such a fun one that I'd be more than happy to join. Basically, the Nenana Ice Classic is a spring ice-melting lottery where participants have to guess the exact day and time in which the winter ice will first crack on the Tanana River.
The winner(s) will win prize money, of course! Word has it that since the inception of this classic Alaskan tradition back in 1917, more than 10 million dollars have been given away as prizes. This is more fun than betting on toto or 4D, don't you think?
5. The Tinku Punch Your Neighbour Festival
If you are travelling to Bolivia, maybe you'd want to avoid going there in early May. Like its name suggests, this Tinku tradition revolves around literally punching one's neighbours in a bid to ensure a good harvest. Sometimes, things get so brutal that people actually die during the street battle festival.
Article Source: https://sg.get.com/sg/blog/5-weird-and-unique-traditions-around-world-people-actually-celebrate/
Image Source: https://derekversuslonelyplanet.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_0882.jpg?w=650
VOCABULARY WORDS:
1. Cringeworthy (adj./informal) ~ causing feelings of embarrassment or awkwardness
2. Meticulously (adv.) ~ in a way that shows great attention to detail very thoroughly
3. Commemorate (v.) ~ recall and show respect for (someone or something)
4. Frigid (adj.) ~ very cold in temperature
5. Inception (n.) ~ the establishment or starting point of an institution or activity
6. Brutal (adj.) ~ savagely violent
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
1. How is Hangul Day commemorated in South Korea? What is the importance of this day to Koreans?
2. What is the importance of keeping customs that are unique to your ｃountry?
3. Do you think that certain traditions which could put participants in danger should be stopped? Discuss your opinion.
