Sometimes the traditions of a foreign country are not only surprising, but also shocking! Scroll to the end, we have strong evidence!

1. Man must become a woman for a month after marriage, Kenya

© KENYAN MEN DRESS IN FEMALE CLOTHES/Pulse Kenya/facebook.com

In Kenya, a young man must wear women's clothes and perform women's duties for one month after the wedding. Then he will remember for the rest of his life that being a woman is not so easy! 
Meanwhile, a red and black ornament is applied to the wife's hands, symbolizing the change in her family status.

2. People in India marry trees to be happy

© Arranged: Maneka Married a Banana Tree to End Her "Curse" (S2, E11) | FYI/Home.Made.Nation/Youtube.com

If you shot the person you fell in love with in India, you should be sure that the planet Mars will not be against your love. Astrology is taken very seriously in this country. And if you or your partner happened to be born under the influence of Mars, then there is a high probability that your marriage will end in discord, poverty and death. For those born "under Mars" and wishing to marry people in India, there is only one way out: before tying the knot with another person, you must marry a tree.

According to tradition, it must be a banana tree. Otherwise, you can marry a gold or silver statue of Lord Vishnu, but a banana tree will be better.

3. The Chinese buy money for netherworld to redeem themselves with

© Banknote World's TOP 5 Most Interesting Banknotes!/Banknote World/Youtube.com

Everyone knows that the Chinese value money very much. But not only during life, but also after death. As proof of this, they even built a special bank that is engaged in the issue of afterlife money. You ask why? The Chinese believe that with such money you can even bribe the Lord of Netherworld. Also, in the Chinese world, this money exists for burning. In this way, they are passed on to the ancestors in the other world for use there.

4. Dance at funerals, Taiwan

©Pole dancers jam traffic at Taiwan politician's funeral/AFP News Agency/Youtube.com

This wild tradition became known to the world after the release of the film about dancing for the dead in Taiwan.

Until the mid-80s, dance at funerals took place all over the island, but after the adoption of the law, this tradition was preserved only in rural areas. The girls arrive at the funeral in "Flower Cars" diesel trucks. In addition to tradition, girls can even sit on men's laps and dance an erotic dance. This tradition was born in the last century, when the country was ruled by mobsters who did not spare each other, so funerals were frequent then.

5. A 30-year-old German bachelor cleans the streets

On the day when a German bachelor turns 30, he must clean the streets according to this tradition. The man should pick up a broom and clean the steps of the city council, the square, etc. Meanwhile, his friends should throw him work in the form of small pebbles. The test will continue until one of the unmarried women gives the birthday boy a tender kiss. After that, the whole company goes to celebrate.

6. Parents in Cambodia build their daughters huts for making love

©Dad builds hut to their daughters to have sex with Multiple boys(Marriage Rituals)- Cambodia/Hems Insider/Youtube.com

When a girl from the Kung tribe reaches adulthood, her parents will have a separate house nearby for her, where men can come to her for intimacy. According to tradition, a girl can make love with a very large number of men until she chooses a husband among them.

It is also interesting that after a night of love, the unsuitable partner has to disappear from her house, so that outsiders do not see them together.

 7. Tomato fight, Spain

In the last week of August, the Spaniards arrange their old tradition - farewell to summer. During it, they arrange real battles, the weapons of which are ripe tomatoes. After the explosion of firecrackers, trucks with tomatoes leave on the streets of the city. And the tomato fight begins.

The population of Buñol (38 kilometers from Valencia) is 9,000 people, but up to 40,000 people come here during the festival. tourists In preparation for the festival, shop owners cover the windows of their establishments with large plastic shields. On the day of the holiday, about 146 tons of tomatoes are used.

8. You can't salt food in Egypt

If you went to hot Egypt to relax, and you were invited as a guest, remember a very important thing. When you sit at the table in this country, do not under any circumstances touch the salt shaker. The owner of the house can be mortally offended if you start salting your food. For local residents, this means that you do not like the treat and its taste is repulsive. Because supposedly you need to fix it immediately by adding seasoning.

9. Hadaka Miyazaki, Japan

The festival called "Hadaka Miyazaki" takes place every year on the third Saturday of February and gathers up to 10,000 men dressed only in "fundosi" headbands and white "tabi" socks. The event takes place at the Saidaiji Kannonin temple, where in the evening men run for two hours around the temple territory and pour cold water over themselves. Then they run into the premises of the main temple, where priests throw 100 twigs and two lucky 20-centimeter sticks of "shinga" into the crowd. Whoever manages to catch them - they are guaranteed a successful year. This holiday has been going on in Japan for over 500 years.

10. Contest of big-eyed grooms, Nigeria

The Wodaabe tribe in the Republic of Nigeria can boast of its own national "beauty pageant". Every year during the rainy season, the unmarried boys of the tribe can become lucky and receive a bride as the main prize. The judges of the contest are several respected women of the tribe, who choose the man with the biggest eyes, the tallest, and the one with the whitest teeth.

11. "Swimming polar bears", Canada

Canada celebrates New Year's Eve with polar bear swims: people dress up in special swimming suits and then dive into icy water for a competition. In Vancouver, British Columbia, the annual Polar Bear Swim Club has been running since 1920 and typically has 1,000 to 2,000 registered participants, with a record 2,128 dives in English Bay in 2000.

12. Women are forcibly fattened in Mauritania

@Young girls force-fed for marriage in Mauritania | Unreported World/ Unreported World/Youtube.com

In the rural areas of Mauritania (West Africa), its residents believe that a fat woman makes the best wife. Fullness is considered wealth and a status symbol, and if a man has a full wife, he is considered to take very good care of her. And in some areas there are special "farms" where older women of the community assign young girls. There, the girls are force-fed huge amounts of couscous and liters of milk until the girls become attractive enough. In some cases, when a girl cannot withstand such a "regime", she can be beaten as a punishment.

13. Adults do not celebrate their birthdays, Turkey

In Turkey, only children's birthdays are celebrated on a grand scale. But when they become adults, people stop celebrating this holiday, gathering together, giving and receiving gifts. At best, Turks celebrate with only a pencil, wife and children. And only with tea and cake. It is not accepted in Tureechyna to greet friends and acquaintances loudly. They are simply texted on their birthday.

14. 8 types of marriage in India

In one version, Brahmi, the father of the bride gives his daughter as a gift to the groom of the same financial status as himself. In Daiva, the father gives his daughter to the bridegroom for the sacrifice he has made. In Arsha, the bride is sold for a bull or a cow. Gandharva is the only type of marriage where young people can marry for mutual love. In Rakshasa, the bride can simply be stolen and married. The marriage of a paishach is the most indecent union of all, when the unfortunate girl is forcibly seduced in a sleepy or drunken state. And the union is still because she will no longer be able to return home after the desecration.

15. Strangers are plastered with fish, France

@What is April Fish (Poisson d'Avril) - Fools' Day Tradition in France/Travel tips and country facts by Datacube/Youtube.com

On April 1, on Fish Day in France, it is customary to try to inconspicuously stick different paper fish on the backs of strangers. According to tradition, the one who did not see how the fish was stuck to him is called "April fish". There are many different versions of the origin of this tradition. But there is one rather interesting one among them. The Patriarch of Aquileia, Saint Bertrand of Geniez, saved the Pope when the latter choked on a bone from a fish, after which it was allegedly forbidden to eat fish dishes on April 1.

16. Jumping over babies, Spain

@Baby-jumping festival in Spain - Lonely Planet travel video/Lonely Planet/Youtube.com

Yes, there are a lot of strange traditions in Spain. One of these is jumping over babies. Men dress up as devils and jump over babies lying on mattresses. Why do they do this, you might ask? The Spanish believe that in this way the devil will be frightened and will not come close to the children. This tradition of El Colacho (El Colacho) has been taking place during the May and June holidays since 1620 in the small town of Castillo de Murcia.

17. Mexican ritual of cleaning the bones of the dead

@Meet The Man Keeping A Rare Day Of The Dead Bone Cleaning Tradition Alive | Still Standing/Insider Business/Youtube.com

The Day of the Dead is celebrated in Mexico on November 1 and 2. Residents take zombie and demon costumes out of their closets and take them out onto the high street. On this day, they also visit cemeteries to communicate with the souls of the dead, make scenes with photographs and bones on graves, and bring the deceased's favorite drinks and food. 

The residents of the city of Pouch, the descendants of the Mayan Indians, take out the bones of their departed relatives before the holiday and wash them. This ritual is performed on remains that are at least three times old. 

18. Be late in Venezuela

Yes, you are not mistaken after reading this advice of ours. We are all used to the fact that after being invited to a dinner or a business meeting, a sign of a good tone will be to arrive on time. But not in Venezuela. If you are invited to someone for dinner in this country, it is recommended to be a little late. Fifteen minutes is the minimum you can afford. Guests who arrive on time or earlier are considered impatient and greedy.

19. People risk their lives for hallucinogenic honey, Nepal

© Honey Hunting in Nepal | Hallucinogen Honey Hunters | Documentary / Limelight Nepal / YouTube.com

In eastern Nepal, they weave bamboo rope ladders and climb rocks to collect honey. Which is produced by the most honey-bearing bee, the nectar of which has hallucinogenic properties. Collecting honey from Himalayan bees is quite dangerous also because they are very poisonous. Before leaving the village, a religious ceremony is held, a sheep, fruits, and cereals are sacrificed to the gods. This is the only way for local residents to earn money.

20. Dance of money and children in the marriage bed, Greece

@The Money Dance At a traditional Greek wedding, it is common for guests to shower the couple with money in a wish for.../Blessed Celebration/Facebook.com

As you know, in Greece they love to dance. Therefore, no wedding is complete without them. During the ceremony, a money dance is performed, during which the guests attach bills to the newlyweds' outfits. In addition, in order to determine who will be the head of the family, on the wedding day, the bride tries to step on the groom's foot. He needs to be extremely clever in order not to become a "hooker". Another interesting Greek tradition: before the first wedding night, small childr en jump on the newlyweds' bed. It is believed that this will provide the family with prosperity.

21.  Monkey banquet, Thailand

Every year on the last Sunday of November in the town of Lopburi they set up a table with treats for the primates. The holiday is designed for 600 people, although in reality, "guests" come much more. On this holiday, residents honor monkeys, which they believe bring them good luck.

22. In China, you have to dirty the hostess's tablecloth in a guest house

In China, it is customary to chow down on guests, otherwise the hosts may consider their cooking tasteless. To eat quietly in China is to offend the hosts and cooks. And a tablecloth smeared with sauces after a meal is a confirmation that you ate with appetite and it was delicious.

23.  Night Of The Radishes, Mexico

@NIGHT OF THE RADISHES | STRANGE FESTIVAL OAXACA CITY MEXICO/Fearless & Far/Youtube.com

Every year on December 23, residents of the Mexican city of Oaxaca celebrate the amazing holiday "Radish Night". It takes place in the central square of the city - the Zocalo, the celebration lasts for several hours, during which the participants are invited to display figurines and sculptures carved from radishes for public viewing. Whoever does it best can win a prize of $650. 

24. Rat Throwing Festival, Spain

@Batallas de ratas en El Puig (2016)/PACMA TV/Vimeo.com

Every year, on the last Sunday of January, the town of El-Puch hosts a crazy, in our opinion, holiday called "Battle of the Rats". People rejoice, throwing frozen corpses of rats at each other. If the rat fell to the ground, it is immediately picked up and thrown again. This strange holiday originated in Spain many centuries ago, when they gathered in the square, hung fruits and other delicacies and rats flocked to it. Disgruntled people beat them with sticks and cheerfully tossed the corpses up.

25. On Easter in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, men are allowed to beat women

@Slovak Easter EXPLAINED/uEnvision Studio/Youtube.com

In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, men are allowed to beat women on Easter Monday. This is a wild, very ancient tradition where men beat women with hand-made and decorated whips. However, it should not be painful. It is believed that it makes women healthier and more beautiful.

26. Men in Bhutan enter the homes of single women

All of these may seem like activities that in other cultures would easily lead to either prison or a bullet to the forehead. This ancient tradition of eastern Bhutan is called "night hunting". A man chooses a house, then breaks a window and quietly enters the house of a lonely woman. Then he must convince her to make love to him. And now the most interesting thing - after that he will be forced to marry her. Interestingly, this is often done by a joint effort: groups of young people gather late at night and roam the streets until they find a suitable house.

27. In South Korea, it is customary to thank for hospitality with tears

@?Soy Sauce Marinated Crab & Marinated Shrimp - Mukbang eating show/흥삼이네 Heungsam's Family/Youtube.com 

To be polite and to thank for hospitality in South Korea, guests cry and blow snot. This is considered the highest compliment to the hosts and cooks, because the food in this country is very spicy and it is not accepted to hold back one's emotions, so as not to have a reputation as an impolite and ungrateful guest.

28. "Funeral of Sardines", Spain

@Nerja Festival & Sardine Funeral/Chris Connell/Youtube.com

Despite its gloomy name, this centuries-old tradition impresses with fun and dancing. Several men in carnival costumes carry a giant cardboard sardine in their outstretched arms to the sound of mournful music. They are accompanied by a mourning procession in masks. Among them stand out "widows" who cry inconsolably (men often play their role). There is also "moaning" and "crying" on the streets. In the end, the sardine is burned, and its ashes are buried in the ground. And the all-Spanish carnival completes such a strange tradition.

29. Children are thrown from a 15-meter tower for luck, India

@Baby throwing in India - No comment/ No Comment TV/Youtube.com

In western India, there is a tradition in which children are thrown from a fifteen-meter tower for good luck. It all happens like this: first the children are lifted to the top of the tower, and then they are dropped onto a stretched sheet held by the men below. Already after that, the child is given to its mother. Parents are happy to participate in this custom, because they believe that this ritual will bring luck, health and longevity to their offspring.

30. Wedding night with strange men, Polynesia

On the islands of Polynesia there is a very strange tradition, according to which the newlyweds invite their friends to the wedding night. Polynesians believe that during sexual relations with other men, a virgin young wife gets rid of the demons in her blood. The oldest men present are the first to go to bed with a woman, but a legitimate man can make love with his wife last. Women at this time dance and sing around the bride.

31. Ivan Kupala, Ukraine

Every year this holiday, called Ivan Kupala, is celebrated in the middle of summer. According to beliefs, on this night all "evil spirits" come out of their nether world into the world of the living and wander among people. On this night, Ukrainians light a bonfire, so the cleansing fire can scare away evil spirits. 

Fire is also considered healing - that's why people light a fire and then jump over it, getting rid of the disease. Lovers jump over the flame, holding hands, so that their union is long, happy and strong.

32. Gold is given to the second wife, Turkey

Monogamy has been legally established in Turkey since 1924, but about 200,000 Turkish men believe that one wife is too little. 

In Turkey, a man cannot have a second wife until he presents his chosen one with gold jewelry worth at least 10,000 dollars. Thus, he confirms his financial capacity and ability to feed two wives. 

33. Dead people are given to animals and birds to eat, Tibet

@Tibetan Sky Burial: How does it Work? A Window to the Tibetan Culture/Tibet Travel ( Tibet Vista )/Youtube.com

There is a very creepy funeral practice in Tibet. The dead person is cut in some places and left on top of the mountain to be torn apart by wild animals, especially birds of prey. Only criminals and other guilty people can bury them in the ground there. Most Tibetans adhere to the Buddhist tradition that the human body is just a vessel that can be destroyed. At the moment, this practice is prohibited, but with the consent of the family, such funerals can be organized.

34. Chess game by people, Italy

Since the 15th century, a "human" chess game has been held in the Italian town of Marostika in September. According to legend, the two gentlemen challenged each other to a duel over a woman named Leonora whom they both loved. But in order to decide whom to give her in marriage, Leonora's father suggested the candidate grooms to play chess. Leonora was to marry the winner, and her younger sister was to stay with the loser.

35. According to the wedding tradition, in Indonesia you cannot go to the toilet for three days

@Indonesian Couples Not Allowed to Use the Toilet After Marriage? | ISH News/ISH News/Youtube.com

There is an ancient wedding tradition in the Indonesian community of Tidong. Before the wedding, the groom is carried on a stretcher to the bride's house, and the wedding ring is put on her finger not by her lover, but by her mother. But these are not all wild traditions. For three days, the newlyweds are closely watched: they consume a minimum of food and water, do not go to the toilet, and only have to bathe in three days.

36. Rolling food with the body, India

In one of the states of India, when you enter a temple, you are immediately ordered to lie on the floor and roll on it. In this way, believers shake off the leftovers from the table of Brahmins - the highest, Indian caste of priests - with their bodies. But only all the lower castes can lie down. According to Indian beliefs, such rolling on the floor can cure skin diseases.

This ritual is already 500 years old, but now they want to ban it due to protests.

37. In Maasai, women choose a groom who can jump the highest, Africa

One of the African tribes, the Masai, impresses with its strange traditions. They live in groups of 100-150 people, wear distinctive clothing, have sticks as weapons and live among the wild animals of the savannah. Masai men can have several wives at the same time, but it is the women who choose their husbands. For this, there is a special ritual in which the whole tribe sings, and the men start jumping high. The most desirable husband is the one who will jump above everyone else.

38. Fertility Festival, Japan

@James May Takes Part in a Fertility Festival | James May: Our Man in Japan/The Grand Tour/Youtube.com

For many centuries, there has been a tradition in Japan that amazes and amazes the whole world. A special ritual is held here, the main task of which is to increase the fertility of the land, as well as the birth rate in the region. And the Japanese spend it in a rather original way - for this, people carry a male organ from a tree all over the city. Its size reaches 2.5 meters, and its weight exceeds 20 kg.

39. A widow burns herself in India

@The Horrible Plight of India's Widows/Journeyman Pictures/Youtube.com

The idea can be safely called the record holder of strange traditions and customs. So according to one of them, a widowed woman can perform a ritual of self-immolation. Within four months after the death of her husband, the widow puts on her best clothes and jewelry, lets her hair down, goes to a river or other body of water and performs this ritual there. This ritual is considered a real feat for Hindus, although it is not officially allowed in the country.

40. Festival with a fight, Bolivia

@Takanakuy: Fistfighting in the Andes/VICE/Youtube.com

One of the most exotic traditions is widespread in Bolivia. there is a battle festival. Before the main event begins, the priest reads a long mass. Only after the padre says "amen" does the battle begin, in which men and women of all ages participate. It is believed that such a festival will increase labor productivity. This tradition comes from ancient times, and there are no rules in combat

41. Hanging graves in the Philippines

@The Hanging Coffins of Sagada: Hanging With The Dead | Travel The Philippines/Alexander Travelbum/Youtube.com

For almost 2 thousand years, there has been a truly unique and very strange tradition of burying people on the Philippine island of Luzon. The deceased are buried in logs hollowed out by themselves, and then taken to caves high in the mountains and hanged. In some caves, there are up to several hundred peculiar coffins. Some believe that this tradition is related to the desire to raise dead bodies above the ground, where they are threatened by animals. Some argue that this saved valuable agricultural land in areas where it was scarce.

42. "Bone House", Austria

@THE Story of PAINTED SKULLS in HALLSTATT - AUSTRIA/
Mintje BE/Youtube.com

More than 600 painted human skulls are stored in a small Gothic church in an Alpine village. But not simple, each of these skulls has a plate with information about the "owner". Residents came up with this original way of burial, because the local church cemetery is very small, and the law provides for the sale of the plot if the relatives of the deceased did not renew the lease after 25 years.

43. Sprinkled with cinnamon in Denmark

@Being single in Denmark! | Tradition/Mara Relunia/Youtube.com

In Denmark, it is believed that a person who has reached the age of 25 and has not yet found a partner deserves a "cinnamon shower". And before the procedure, the "victim" must be bound. Therefore, if you see someone sprinkled with cinnamon in Denmark, do not hesitate to approach and get to know them. And suddenly this is your future wife or husband? Those who were not helped by the "cinnamon shower" will face a new test in five years - being sprinkled with hot pepper.

44. Greetings in Tibet

@sticking out your tongue in tibet/Global Context/Youtube.com

If someone advises you to stick out your tongue at passers-by in Tibet, don't be surprised. This is how the locals greet you here.

This tradition appeared in the Middle Ages, when the merciless king Landarma ruled in Tibet, who behaved very cruelly and had a black tongue. The Tibetans really disliked this king and were afraid that after his death his soul would move to another body. That is why they invented such a simple way to say hello and at the same time make sure of safety.

45. Unusual smiles with dusted teeth, Indonesia

In this country, there is a centuries-old tradition - filing teeth, which is done when you reach your 18th birthday. The inhabitants of the country believe that inside each person there is a struggle between good and evil, and in this way the inner demon can be tamed.
Sharp teeth, in particular fangs, are considered symbols of evil, so by cutting them, an Indonesian acquires the ability to control evil thoughts.

46. Groom jumping off a cliff, Andalucia, Spain

This country has many interesting, strange and even quite dangerous customs and traditions. Thus, before his wedding, an Andalusian must jump off a cliff with his head down. According to the ancient customs of Andalusia, it is believed that only a man with a strong skull can marry. The paradox itself is that the more relatives the wife has, the higher the rock should be.

47. Picnic on the grave, Ukraine

Until recently, there was a very widespread tradition in Ukraine, which is still preserved in some rural areas. This tradition is called "Remembrance Sunday", which takes place after Easter, but depending on the area, it is held even later. In Orthodoxy, it is believed that after the Resurrection of Christ, the souls of deceased friends and relatives descend to earth. Therefore, it is customary to meet them in a special way. Memorial services are held in Orthodox churches, where people can take food with them, and then go to the cemetery, where they can have picnics near the graves. After they have eaten and drunk, they may also leave food on the graves so that the dead may also eat, according to belief.

48. Running of the bulls, Spain

Every year, the Spanish city of Pamplona is in the center of attention of the whole world for one week in July. The San Fermín festival is held here. On this day, people dress in black and white clothes, tie scarves. Meanwhile, a herd of fighting bulls is released into the street after a crowd of young people. The goal of the runners is to feel the breath of the bull on their back. Unfortunately, not one of the festivals is without injuries, however, deaths are quite rare. By the way, Spain is the only country that considers bullfighting as a sport.

49. Kissing noses as a greeting, Greenland and New Zealand

@Inuit Kiss/Explore Documentary Films/Youtube.com

This interesting tradition is common on two islands. According to their tradition, it is customary to "kiss" with noses, pressing the upper lip and nose to the face (nose, cheek or forehead) of another person. However, such a greeting is acceptable only between relatives, and by no means between strangers. Upon meeting, the Greenlanders say: "Beautiful weather!" — even if it is -40 °C outside.

50. People in pajamas on the street and in restaurants, China

When we talk about China and its traditions, we immediately imagine another world with wild customs. How is it that in this country the locals can wake up in the morning, go to work, and then come back and change back into their pajamas and spend the whole day in them. But not at home. They walk in it on the street, to the store, go to a restaurant in the evening. No one is surprised here by local residents who dress in pajamas after work and go, for example, to a restaurant or for a walk. This is called the "day off" tradition.