Amazing traditions of different nations. The strangest and most terrible sexual traditions of the peoples of the world

Every nation in our world has its own traditions, customs and rituals. And how many of these peoples, so many traditions - the most different, unusual, funny, shocking, romantic. But whatever they are, they are honored and passed down from generation to generation.

As our reader could have already guessed, today we will acquaint with the most unusual greetings of the peoples of the world, as well as their traditions and customs.

Samoa

Samoans sniff each other when they meet. For them, this is more a tribute to their ancestors than a serious ritual. Once upon a time in this way the Samoans tried to find out where the person with whom they greet came from. The smell could tell how many people walked through the jungle or when last time ate. But most often a stranger was identified by smell.

New Zealand

In New Zealand, representatives of the indigenous population, the Maori, touch each other with their noses when they meet. This tradition goes back centuries. It is called "hongi" and symbolizes the breath of life - "ha", which goes back to the gods themselves. After that, the Maori perceive the person as their friend, and not just as a visitor. This tradition is observed even when meeting at " the highest level”, So do not be surprised if you see on TV how the president of a country rubs his nose against a representative of New Zealand. This is etiquette and must not be violated.

Andaman islands

An indigenous resident of the Andaman Islands sits down on the knees of another, hugs the neck and cries. And do not think that he is complaining about his fate or wants to tell some tragic episode from his life. Thus, he enjoys meeting his friend, and tears are the sincerity with which he meets his fellow tribesman.

Kenya

The Maasai tribe is the oldest in Kenya, famous for its ancient and unusual rituals. One of these rituals is the greeting dance to Adam. It is performed only by the men of the tribe, as a rule, these are wars. The dancers stand in a circle and start jumping high. The higher he jumps, the brighter he will show his courage and courage. Since the Maasai are subsistence farmers, they often have to jump like this when hunting lions and other animals.

Tibet

In Tibet, when they meet, they show each other their tongues. This custom dates back to IX, when the tyrant king Landarma ruled Tibet. He had a black tongue. So the Tibetans were afraid that the king after his death might settle in someone else and therefore decided to show their tongue in order to protect themselves from evil. If you want to follow this custom as well, make sure not to eat anything that stains your tongue a dark color, otherwise a misunderstanding may result. At the same time, the arms are usually kept crossed over the chest.

Japan

And not only in Japan, but everywhere in the East, you should be ready for one of the main traditions of the peoples of the East - to immediately take off your shoes. In Japan, you will be offered slippers to cover the distance between the front door and the living room, where you will have to take off your slippers again before stepping on the tatami (reed mat). Of course, you need to make sure your socks are spotlessly clean. And when leaving the living room, be careful not to put on other people's slippers.

* When presenting a gift, it is good to be humble again by saying something like, "Sorry this is such a trifle" or, "You might not like the gift."

* When guests come, they are sure to be offered some kind of treat. Even if a person appears unexpectedly, he will usually be offered a snack, even if it will be just a bowl of rice with pickled vegetables and tea. If you are invited to a Japanese-style restaurant, unforeseen situations may arise, from which the invitee will be happy to help you find a decent way out. For example, it will tell you when and where to take off your shoes.

It is not at all necessary to sit in the Japanese manner with your legs tucked under you. Most Japanese people, like Europeans, quickly get tired of it. Men are allowed to cross their legs, while women are shown more stringent requirements: they must sit with their legs tucked under them, or, for convenience, sliding them to one side. Sometimes the guest may be offered a low chair with a back. It is not customary to stretch your legs forward.

* When you are offered a drink, you need to raise the glass and wait until it is full. It is recommended to provide a reciprocal service to your neighbors.

* In both a Japanese home and a conference room, the seat of honor is usually farther from the door, next to the tokonoma (wall niche with a scroll and other decorations). The guest may, out of modesty, refuse to sit in the place of honor. Even if there is a slight hitch because of this, it is better to do so so that later on you are not spoken of as an immodest person. Before you sit down, you have to wait until the guest of honor sits down. If he is late, then everyone gets up on his arrival.

* Before starting a meal, they serve oshibori - a hot, damp towel, which is used to wipe the face and hands. The food begins with the word "Itadakimas!" and bow slightly, say everyone who sits at the table and takes part in the meal. This word has many meanings, in this case it means: "I start eating with your permission!" The first to start the meal is the owner or the one who, say, invites you to the restaurant. Soup and rice are usually served first. Rice is generally served with all dishes. If you need to rearrange the cups or plates yourself, use both hands to rearrange them.

China or Japan

The sticks should be leaning against the dish and raised up two thirds. You should never put food on sticks like a spear, criss-cross them on a plate, fold food on opposite sides of food, point with sticks at people, use sticks to pull food closer to yourself, or worst of all, stick them into rice. This is exactly what the Japanese do at funerals, leaving rice with sticks stuck vertically into it near the deceased. The traditions of the people of Japan do not allow for a frivolous attitude towards death.

Thailand

The head of any person in Thailand, regardless of age, gender and social status considered sacred. According to the centuries-old Thai belief, the spirit of a person who guards his life is in the head. Therefore, stroking the head, ruffling the hair, or simply touching the head of a person is perceived as a real insult.

Thai women, in principle, should not be touched without their consent, as most of them hold conservative views, and may also take this gesture as an insult.

You should not point at anything, and even more so at someone with your foot, bottom the body, which is considered "despicable" here.

For the same reason, in no case should you sit "cross-legged" with your feet pointing towards the statue of Buddha. Thais honor every image of it, so beware of climbing or leaning on statues to take pictures.

According to traditions in Thailand, before entering a temple or a Thai dwelling, you should take off your shoes, even if the owners hospitably assure you that you do not need to take off your shoes.

In communication, a restrained, calm, benevolent tone and a constant smile are welcome. Avoid familiarity and voice raising.

India

Let's start with a greeting. You can say hello just by shaking hands, as we are used to. But there are some subtleties. It is considered bad form to shake hands with someone you didn’t know before. In addition, women should not shake hands with Hindus, as this may be considered an insult. The most respectful Indian greeting - namaste - is the joined palms at chest level.

When meeting a Hindu, one must remember that their names consist of several parts. In the beginning it is worth it given name, then the name of his father, then the name of the caste in which he belongs and the name of the settlement of his residence. For women, the name contains her own name and the name of her spouse.

At parting, the Indians raise their palm and wave only their fingers. We also sometimes use a similar gesture, only in India they say goodbye to a girl like that. If you say goodbye to a man, just raise your palm.

The following gestures should not be used:

* just like ours, it is considered impolite to point somewhere forefinger;

* don't wink pretty girl... This gesture is indecent and speaks of a specific proposal. If a man needs a representative of the most ancient profession, it is necessary to point with the index finger to the nostril;

* no need to snap your fingers to get someone's attention. This is perceived as a challenge;

* vibrating with fingers clenched into a bundle - a sign to the interlocutor that he is afraid;

* double clap of the palms is a hint of a different orientation.

V India exists animal cult... Some representatives of the animal world are elevated to the rank of sacred. Temples are erected especially for monkeys. For example, the famous Palace of the Winds, where monkeys live in such numbers and are so aggressive that tourists are not recommended to even go there! Other sacred animals - cows - are walking along the streets of settlements. They live their own lives and die a natural death, since they are forbidden to be eaten.

Another animal is the peacock. They literally live happily ever after - they sing their loud songs everywhere: in churches, on the streets and in the courtyards of private houses.

When visiting the temple, you must take off your shoes at the entrance and go barefoot. It is better to exclude products from genuine leather from your wardrobe altogether. This is considered sacrilege.

Vietnam

Vietnamese people never make eye contact when speaking. Perhaps because of their inherent inner shyness. But main reason in that, following tradition, they do not look into the eyes of those they respect or have a higher rank.

The smiles of Vietnamese people can often cause confusion among foreigners and even lead to embarrassing situations. The fact is that in many eastern countries, a smile is also a sign of grief, anxiety or awkwardness. Smiling in Vietnam is often an expression of politeness, but it can also be a sign of skepticism, misunderstanding or rejection of a wrong judgment.

Loud controversy and heated debate is frowned upon, and rarely occurs among Vietnamese. Well-educated Vietnamese are also well trained in self-discipline. Therefore, the loud voices of Europeans are often perceived with disapproval.

In conversation, Vietnamese very rarely go straight to the goal. To do so is to show a lack of tact and delicacy. Directness is highly regarded in the Western world, but not in Vietnam. Vietnamese do not like to say no and often answer yes when the answer should be negative.

There are many different taboos in the daily life of Vietnamese. For example, the following:

* Do not praise a newborn baby as evil spirits nearby and can steal a child because of its value.

* When going to work or on business, avoid seeing the first woman. If walking out the door the first thing you see is a woman, go back and postpone the event.

* On entrance doors mirrors are often hung outside. If the dragon wants to get into the house, he will see his reflection and think that there is already another dragon there.

* You cannot put one bowl of rice and one pair of chopsticks on the table. Be sure to bet for at least two. One bowl is for the dead.

* Don't let your chopsticks touch or make noise unnecessarily with other chopsticks. Do not leave chopsticks in food.

* Do not give a toothpick to anyone.

* Never buy one pillow and one mattress, always buy two. * Do not use your relatives' towels.

* Do not overturn musical instruments and do not hit both sides of the drum at the same time.

* Do not cut your nails at night.

* In a restaurant with a Vietnamese, it is not customary to pay "in half". Let him pay, or pay the bill yourself. A person of a higher rank always pays.

Gifts to the bride and groom are always given by a couple. One gift symbolizes the imminent end of the marriage. Two cheap gifts are always preferable to one expensive one.

* Educated people and everyone who does not belong to the peasants does not engage in manual labor. To do so is to take the work of the poor peasant and is considered unworthy.

Tanzania

One of essential rules behavior for visitors - a ban on smoking in in public places... Smoking is allowed only in hotel rooms and in a number of restaurants in the special zone. On the street, in clubs, cinemas, beaches, smoking is strictly prohibited, up to several hours of arrest.

The island of Zanzibar is known for its strictest nature conservation law, one of the points of this law is the ban on the use of plastic bags. All goods here are issued in paper form.

Most hotels, even the most expensive, will have kerosene lamps in their rooms - power outages are the main nuisance of modern Tanzania.

Despite the sometimes even too courteous treatment of foreigners, the local population has an unspoken tradition of making fun of them. Do not ask for directions from the first person you meet, smiling sweetly, he will show you a completely wrong path. Experienced tourists recommend in such situations to introduce yourself as a journalist, English here it is well understood, then the chance of deception decreases.

Highly essential has etiquette of greetings. The type of greeting depends on the person's status and age. A common greeting among Swahili tribes in a circle of well-known people is “Khujambo, habari gani” (“How are you?”, “What news?”) Or simply “Jumbo!”. A group of people are greeted with the word "khatujambo". The word shikamu is used to greet respectable people. Young children are taught to greet their elders by kissing their hands or kneeling in front of them. Friends who meet after a long separation usually shake hands and kiss each other on both cheeks. When communicating with foreigners, they often use a handshake and the traditional English "hello".

In Tanzania, as in many other regions of Africa, the right hand is considered "clean" and the left hand is considered "dirty". Therefore, the right hand is used to eat or exchange gifts. The polite way of accepting a gift is to first touch the gift with your right hand and then right hand giver.

Table behavior is also subject to many norms. Typically, traditional meals are served on mats on the floor, with food placed on low tables. But in many continental families, meals are served in a European way - at the table. You can take food from a common plate with your hands and put it on your plate, or you can eat from a common dish. The main thing is to make sure that food crumbs do not fall into the common dish and onto other people's plates. In Zanzibar, it is customary to give guests fresh clove shoots to flavor the mouth before eating. The sequence of dishes is traditional for East African countries - soup is served first, and then snacks and hot meals. Lunch ends with coffee and sweets. Snacks and greens are usually on the table throughout the meal.

You can not bypass the front of the worshipers. When entering mosques and at home, you should take off your shoes.

The general lifestyle of Tanzanians can be characterized by two phrases - "akuna matata" ("no problem") and "field-field" ("calmly", "take your time"). These phrases can describe the attitude of Tanzanians to everything around them. Service in a restaurant or travel agency is extremely unhurried. If a Tanzanian said "one second", then it could mean 15 minutes or half an hour. At the same time, for all attempts to rush them, the locals smile radiantly and continue to act in a leisurely rhythm. It is useless to somehow influence it, you just need to reconcile and try to live in this rhythm yourself.

Superstition

Lunar eclipses - special days when the evil spirit Rakhukin-chan ("Rahu - devouring the Moon") eats the moon. Sleeping on such a night is not recommended, but you need to go outside and make a lot of noise to drive the bastard away from your home. At the same time, they call for the help of good spirits, who must fight with Rakhukin-chan. Pregnant women should be sure to stick a needle into their shirt to protect the unborn child from harm.

Fear of shooting stars due to the legend of the phiphungtai spirit, who thus tries to return to our world. This spirit collective image all the dead who are trying to return through unborn children. Pregnant women should not look at shooting stars or even talk about it.

Wednesday is the most dangerous day when evil spirits come out into our world. You cannot start business, you cannot travel or even go to the hairdresser. Away from large cities on Wednesday, many do not work, so as not to bring trouble.

You can't drive nails into your home floor, the stomach will hurt.

Thais don't like owls, considering them harbingers of misfortune. Well, if the owl somehow already flew past the dwelling, then only monks can ward off trouble, who should be invited into the house and treated well.

Sand accidentally discovered in the house brings good luck.

You can't play the pipe in the house, it annoys evil spirits.

You should cross the threshold of the house so as not to offend good spirits.

Spanish customs

To express their admiration, the people of Spain fold three fingers, press them to their lips and reproduce the sound of a kiss.

The Spaniards express a sign of disdain with a hand, which they wave away from themselves at chest level.

The Spaniard regards touching the earlobe as an insult.

To point someone at the door, the Spaniards use a gesture quite similar to our finger snap.

The appeal to "you" is used by them in most situations, even students in schools often refer to their teachers in this way. This is an ordinary story. But turning to "you" can even offend a person from time to time.

When they meet, they greet each other noisily and cheerfully. The most common greeting is "Hola" - "Hello". When meeting and parting, they press their cheeks to cheeks, imitating a kiss and hug. For Spaniards, a short communication distance means that you are a pleasant conversationalist for them. But if you, for example, in Germany, will keep your distance when talking arm outstretched then the Spaniard will take this as a sign of disdain.

Everything constantly happens after the planned date. There is no fixed time for breakfast, it all depends on when the Spaniard arrives at work. They do not have the habit of having breakfast at home, except perhaps to drink a cup of coffee, because the second cup, together with a sandwich, will be drunk at the beginning of the working day. Dinner time will be up soon.

Here it is necessary to emphasize such a paradox as the Spanish siesta. It starts at 1 pm and lasts until 5 pm. At this time, all shops are closed, office staff crawl home for lunch and an afternoon nap. Not every tourist is able to understand this, standing in front of the closed doors of a gift shop. He is surprised, upset and even angry, but ... Siesta!

For the Spaniards, there are certain topics - taboo. They prefer not to talk about death, not to ask people their age. It is also not customary to talk about money, especially when there is one. Nobody says, "I make a lot" or "I get enough." Instead, you will hear: "Can't complain" or "I am living a little." On other topics, the Spaniards say a lot and, as foreigners say, too loudly.

For them, it is not at all necessary to know a person perfectly in order to chat with him for hours. And from time to time it happens that a long conversation is over, and the name of the interlocutor remains unknown ... These are the Spaniards.

Funny wedding traditions of the peoples of the world

The wedding tradition of some areas may also seem unusual and even funny to us. India... The fact is that there are places in India (for example, the state of Punjab) where there is a ban on third marriage. You can choose your wife twice, four times is also not forbidden, but three times you can’t. However, the prohibition applies only to marriage with a living person, and therefore those men who did not limit themselves to a second marriage marry ... a tree. Yes, on an ordinary tree, but with all the necessary ceremonies and honors (maybe, perhaps, a little more modest). After the wedding ceremony is over, the guests help the happy groom to be “widowed” by simply cutting down this very tree. And now there are no obstacles to the third marriage!

A similar custom is used when younger brother decides to marry before the elder does. In this situation, the elder brother chooses a tree for his wife, and after that he just as easily frees himself from the bonds of marriage.

V Greece the young wife is not at all afraid to seem clumsy by stepping on her husband's foot during the dance. On the contrary, this is what she tries to do throughout the holiday. If the newlywed succeeds in this maneuver, it is believed that she has every chance of becoming the head of the family.

And in Greece, children appear on their wedding night. No kidding! There is a custom - in order for the family to be happy, it is imperative to put children in their bed before the newlyweds. Let them run, jump on the bed - and then the young people will definitely have everything as it should.

V Kenya it is customary to dress up an accomplished husband in women's clothing, in which a man must walk for at least a month. It is believed that in this way the husband will be able to fully experience the difficult and difficult female share and with more love treat your young wife in the future. By the way, this wedding custom is observed in Kenya quite strictly and no one objects. Especially the wife, who takes a photo of her husband with pleasure and saves the received photos in the family album.

V Norway Since ancient times, the bride's porridge has been an obligatory treat for a wedding celebration - it was made from wheat with cream. Porridge was served after the bride took off her wedding outfit and changed into a suit married woman... There have always been many jokes and amusements associated with porridge in Norway, the cauldron with it could even be stolen and demanded for ransom.

On Nicobar Islands, for example, if a guy expressed a desire to marry a girl, he must become a "slave" in the girl's house, and this can last from 6 months to a year. During this time, the chosen one is determined whether she wants such a husband or not. If the girl agrees, the village council declares them husband and wife. Well, if not, the guy returns home.

V Central Nigeria maturing girls are placed in separate fattening huts. Only their mothers are allowed to them, who for many months, or even whole year(depending on success) bring to daughters great amount flour food, so that they get fat. Plumpness is highly valued in their tribe and is a guarantee of a successful marriage.

And one more article:

If you are heading abroad on vacation or decide to start new life in a foreign land, then, most likely, you will encounter customs and superstitions that may seem very strange to you. Many foreign cultures include not only traditions, but also superstitions, as well as certain rules of etiquette. Often, to compliance certain rules locals take it very seriously, so those who want to successfully integrate in their new environment should be well aware of all cultural differences.

The consequences of ignoring foreign customs can be different: you may be perceived for a very long time not as your own, but as a tourist, ignoring the fact that you already live next to them. But there may be more serious problems, up to the possibility of being on the other side of the law. Anyway, upset local residents- this is the right way to start your journey on the wrong foot in a new country!

Here's a look at other people's customs collected around the world. It is always best to know in advance about the experiences of your predecessors.

Strange customs of the peoples of the world

Thailand- a favorite mountain climbing destination for young travelers.

This country is known by many strange customs, which must be observed by the guests, so as not to quarrel with the local population. One such custom that travelers often neglect is to always have a Thai king with you, for example, on a banknote. Likewise, in movies, the tribute to the king is played before each movie in the form of the Thai royal anthem, while you must stand in reverence to the royal person. It should be borne in mind that insulting the king is considered illegal in Thailand, so the best way to avoid problems on this topic and not risk facing a Thai court is to show respect to the crowned person along with the locals.

The strange method of attracting money is practiced in Appalachian... It is believed here that the skins of onions do not need to be thrown away. It must also be put in broth, and this will contribute to making a profit.

V China believe that if a man put on a green headdress, then his wife is cheating on him.

The origin of this custom is often hotly debated. Some believe that in ancient times, if a courtesan (geisha) had a spouse, he was forced to wear a green hat. Others, on the other hand, believe that men who employ women of the oldest profession used to wear green hats during the Yuan Dynasty. However, the version that sounds the most plausible is that when the phrase "green hat" is spoken in Chinese, it sounds remarkably similar to the Chinese word for cuckold.

Another one of interesting superstitions China is that you should never give a friend a watch as a gift. This, again, is due to the similarity in pronunciation. Apparently “send the watch” sounds remarkably similar to “SONG Zhong,” which is the name of a Chinese funeral ceremony. Indeed, avoiding all conventions must be quite tedious!

Most of us know and accept that black cats are widely and universally viewed as a sign of impending bad luck. This attitude towards black purrs is found in cultures and communities throughout the globe but what about an owl? So, if a black cat crosses your road, and an owl hoots outside your window at night, then you better take a day off from work the next day, since it is believed that this is a sign of imminent injury, a catastrophic disagreement or a terrible failure.

Another animal is disliked in Egypt, as well as in the whole world, these are rats. Many superstitions surround rats, linking these creatures to illness and death. However, there is one positive sign, suggesting that if a group of rats suddenly appears in the house, then the owners should be in a big fortune in the coming weeks. Sounds promising, doesn't it?

Many superstitions Spanish etiquette revolves around sex and love. The Spaniards believe that if you sweep at the feet of a person passing by, then he is doomed to never find true love... An incredibly murderous sentence for such a minor act! Another popular Spanish belief is that people who raise a bowl of water to toast are doomed to seven years of bad sex. This superstition is found in many other places around the world in one form or another. This is believed to stem from the Greek custom of toasting and water at funerals. Because of this, toast with water is considered a wish for bad luck, or even death.

V Of Japan sipping noodles is considered not only acceptable but also actively encouraged.

Another part of Japanese etiquette concerns the appreciation of a gift. If a person receives a gift in Japan and tries to open it right away, it is considered very rude, as it shows a lack of appreciation for the donor's time and effort in finding and packing the present.

Regarding the Japanese gift, there is another sign: it is customary to give and receive a gift with both hands, as a sign of respect for this object.

With the customs mentioned above, keep in mind that it is very important to research the customs and traditions of the country you are planning to visit before setting off. This will allow you to avoid such a tragic social blunder!

If today most marriages are made for love, then in ancient states in starring advocated the calculation and pursuit of financial or social goals.

Today we decided to remember and tell you about the various wedding traditions in different countries ah world.

Ancient Rome

Weddings in Ancient rome celebrated noisily and cheerfully.Girls were married from the age of 14, but there were cases of earlier marriages from the age of 12-13. DIt was not easy for the ancient Romans to choose a wedding day, since many days were considered unfavorable. Weddings were usually celebrated in mid or late June, promising new family happy life.

Ancient Roman wedding ceremonies were given great importance the bride

After the betrothal, the bride put the ring on the finger of her left hand. On the same day, a marriage contract was drawn up. After that, the celebration of the wedding itself began. On the night before the wedding, the bride brought all her children's toys to the home altar and said goodbye to them, this ceremony symbolized the entry into adult marriage. When the day of the wedding itself came, the bride dressed in white and red clothes and waited for the arrival of the groom.

Every American eats at least a piece of turkey that day.

After the priest clarified whether the wedding day was successful, the drawn up marriage contract was signed and the newlyweds took each other's hands to pray to the gods together. After the ceremony, the guests and the newlyweds celebrated the wedding at the bride's house. And only then the newly made husband and wife went to the house of the head of the family. The groom carried the bride across the threshold of his house in his arms. On this, the wedding celebration ended and family life began.

Ancient Russia

After in Kievan Rus Christianity was called the official religion, the formation of the traditional wedding ceremony began.

Since it was not possible to completely eradicate paganism, a symbiosis of Christianity and pagan rituals turned out. After the 16th century, there was a clear ritual, wedding dresses, attributes and folklore that have survived to this day. And the main innovation was the obligatory church coverage of marriage.

After the 16th century, clear wedding rituals developed in Russia.

The ceremony took place in the evening, the best dress and all the decorations that were available were put on for him. In the front door, a table was being prepared, at which they waited for the arrival of the groom. Then there was a ceremony of combing the hair of the mother-in-law and braiding two braids, which symbolized a woman in marriage. After the blessings, the young people went to the wedding; according to the rules, the groom had to arrive first. Only after the wedding could the couple kiss. At the exit, the young were showered with hops and flax seeds, with wishes of happiness. After that, everyone went to the husband's house, where the celebration itself took place.

The ceremony itself was divided into several stages: pre-wedding customs (dating, bridesmaids, girl's fortune-telling ); pre-wedding customs (matchmaking, bride, collusion, bachelorette party, groom's gatherings ), wedding ceremonies (bride ransom, wedding train, wedding, wedding feast ) and post-wedding ceremonies (second day, visits ).

Ancient Greece

Wedding ceremonies of Ancient Greece differed from ancient Roman ones, first of all, in that the word of the bride had practically no meaning in the choice of the groom chosen by the bride's father. The girl was married at the age of 15 to a groom who is about 30 years old or a little older, since it was this age in men that was considered the best and most mature.

As in ancient Rome, in Greece the bride said goodbye to her toys, after which she took a bath. On the wedding day, the bride was dressed in white robes. Then the bride was waiting for the groom, who was to come for her in a chariot and take her home. All the way to the house of the groom, the newlyweds were accompanied by a wedding procession. The groom introduced the bride to his mother and carried the girl across the threshold, after which the young ate a specially prepared wedding dish.

According to the wedding ceremonies of Ancient Greece, the young were showered with fruits

Wedding ceremonies of that time demanded that the young were showered with fruit for a well-fed and prosperous family life. The bride and groom went to the bedroom. The next morning, the bride's family came to the groom's house, and a family wedding party was organized, at which the young received gifts from relatives and friends.

Ancient China

In those days, a Chinese man could have as many women as he wanted and could afford. Situations when a young concubine is a teenager, while the husband is an ancient old man, were in the order of things.

In Ancient China, poor families often sold young daughters to the rich.

Poor families often sold their young daughters to wealthy families in order to get some money and also to get rid of useless women in the family.

Parent-organized marriages were also common. The young people got married because their parents decided so. Sometimes young people saw each other for the first time on own wedding... Arranged marriages were also common: weddings were organized even before the birth of children with the consent of the parents on both sides.

Modern China

Today, Chinese young people choose and marry those they love. However, in order to show your respect for the parents of the other party, official permission from the parents for the wedding must be obtained in advance.

One of wedding customs- This is the preparation of the dowry. The bride's family buys various items that will be useful to the new family.The wedding should take place on a day that symbolizes goodness and good energy.

- The groom comes to the house of the bride's parents and greets his future relatives. The couple then head to the groom's parents' house, where the couple greet his parents together.

- At the banquet, the newlyweds should drink half a glass of wine from a glass tied with a ribbon. The newlyweds then change hands and drink the other half of the wine.

According to modern Chinese traditions, young people choose each other for love.

- In some provinces of China, fish is served on the banquet table, which should not be eaten completely - this symbolizes a good start and the end of the marriage.

- After the banquet, the friends of the young people continue the night with games and dances.

England

In England, many rituals associated with the entrance to the church have survived to this day. The bride and groom, for example, had to jump over a bench placed across the entrance to the church, which meant overcoming obstacles in family life.

Many wedding ceremonies have survived to this day in England.

There is a legend that in the middle of the 19th century, at one of the weddings in Leicestershire, the bride's brother, when he was returning home from the church, threw a huge old shoe from the wedding carriage onto the road. Bridesmaids, in elegant dresses, rushed onto the dusty road and it was the one who first grabbed the shoe that soon got married.

Japan

Formerly in Japanese family relationships love played the last role. Marriage, depending on the era and the head of the board, was a way to preserve social status and to extend the lineage, and in the days of the samurai, a means for creating military and clan alliances.

The Japanese organize weddings at special centers that combine Buddhist, Shinto, or Christian customs. The wedding itself is an expensive pleasure. For example, the bride's outfit is a real work of art, since a gimp made of gold and silver is used in sewing, and when dyeing fabrics, they use a powder of gold and silver powders.

In Japan, it is customary to play a wedding in the summer - this is an ancient tradition.

It is customary to play a wedding in the summer; this is an ancient tradition that has survived to this day. Therefore, all modern calendars are full of happy dates for the wedding.

In the United States, wedding is a business. Future newlyweds practically do not prepare for the wedding on their own, and all pre-wedding matters are taken over by the employees of wedding agencies.

After a young man proposes to his beloved girlfriend, an engagement is held, at which it is customary to give a diamond ring. Only then does the couple in love officially become the bride and groom. Between the engagement and the wedding usually lasts from six months to 2 years. During this time, preparations for the wedding are taking place.

American weddings are characterized by a rehearsal of the celebration.

Six months before the wedding, the bride and groom begin to send out invitations to the celebration. The invitations to the USA are very different from the Russians. Firstly, usually the young people themselves come up with their design - this is not just a postcard with the date and place, but a whole package of messages. Here you can specify the time and place of the celebration, the possibility of renting a hotel, as well as a list of desired gifts. In addition, an additional envelope and a card are included in the envelope, which must be returned by the specified time, indicating whether the invited guest will be at the wedding or not.

A month before the celebration, the bride and groom arrange a bachelor party and a bachelorette party, respectively. The bridesmaids come to the bachelorette party with gifts. This is a long tradition dating back to the earliest settlers.

As you know, each country has its own traditions and customs. The whole world knows about some of them, some are carefully hidden from strangers. There are also shocking ones. So what are they, interesting customs different countries?

Southern states

1. In Australia, you need to be prepared for the fact that instead of the traditional handshake in many countries as a greeting, there will be a touch on the head of the penis.

2. In one of the states of Central Africa, during the wedding night, a wife performs a ritual beating of her husband, and this happens every night for seven whole days! According to representatives of the Bahutu tribe, this is the only way the spouses can get used to each other.

3. In modern Greece do not praise the decor items of the guests' apartment, otherwise the owners will be forced to give them to you.

4. A shocking ritual is performed by the inhabitants of the state of India called Maharashtra. Newborn babies are thrown down from the 15-meter-high temple wall. No, babies do not crash to death - below they are met by people with a stretched canvas. It is believed that only after this, children will grow up smart, strong, healthy and happy.

5. Phuket annually hosts an extremely unusual festival... In autumn, for 9 days, none of the inhabitants of the island eats meat. In addition, crowds of people pass through the streets, whose cheeks are pierced through with spears, knives, metal rods, etc.

6. Maasai warriors living in Kenya cut the veins of cows and drink hot blood mixed with milk. It is believed that in this way they can multiply their vitality.

7. There is an unusual tradition in Taiwan - striptease at funerals. Especially for the deceased and those who came to say goodbye to him, they order a truck, in the back of which to the rhythms dance music strippers wriggle. There is nothing shameful for the Taiwanese in this.

Nordic countries

1. Eskimos living in North Kamchatka line up to greet the guest. No, no one will hold out a hand. If you are a stranger, you will be hit hard on the top of your head, expecting the same from you. Everyone else does the same. The strange ceremony lasts until someone falls to the ground.

2. There are several unusual traditions in Norway. Firstly, it is not customary there to praise students and announce their grades - otherwise the teacher, from whom the praise comes, even the most sincere, will be caught in gross flattery. Secondly, do not try to give way to an elderly person in transport in this country - this way you will show your physical superiority over him. Thirdly, it is not customary to ask about the state of health after an illness - the Norwegians consider it too intimate a thing.

3. In Sweden they like to eat fish with a smell. There is even a fermented herring festival. It is prepared in a special way: a little salt and seasonings are mixed, the fish is rubbed with the resulting mixture and left in the sun for two to three days. The main thing is that the fish should ferment, and not rot. The disgusting smell of the dish is compensated by its magical, according to the Swedes, taste.

Shocking Asia

1. Chinese people chomp as loudly as possible at a party - there is no other way to show how tasty everything is, it will not work, words of gratitude for an excellent dinner will not be heard.

2. During meals, guests are not particularly careful. The dirtier the tablecloth, the more the hostess will be pleased - after all, everything was eaten with gusto.

3. If the Chinese go to visit, they in no way give flowers to the hostess of the house, because it is considered: if you are given flowers, then your home is not beautiful. Another custom: fresh flowers are a symbol of death, therefore, artificial bouquets are in common use.

4. In Mongolia and its neighbor Buryatia (the Russian region) no one restrains belching after eating. If the guest burps loudly, it means that he is full and satisfied.

5. While eating in South Korea (and there it is very spicy), do not hold back the current tears and snot. The more, the better - by restraining yourself, you offend the one who offered you a treat or prepared it.

Of course, these are far from all the interesting customs of different countries, but only a small fraction of them. As you can see, our world is full of eccentricities that have been passed down from generation to generation for many hundreds, or even thousands of years.

In cultures different nations there are traditions and customs that have been practiced by these peoples for thousands of years, but at the same time seem completely wild for representatives of other peoples and religions. And what is most interesting, these customs, which, it would seem, have no place in the 21st century, are still alive today.

1. The Taipusam Piercing Celebration


An odd tradition: the Taipusam piercing holiday.

India, Malaysia, Singapore
During the Taipusam religious festival, Hindus demonstrate their devotion to the god Murugan by piercing various parts of their bodies. This is mainly seen in countries where there is a significant Tamil diaspora, such as India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Mauritius, Singapore, Thailand and Myanmar.


Participant of the Taipusam holiday.

In Tamil Nadu, Tamil believers celebrate the birth of the god Murugan and his killing of the demon Surapadman. They do this through a painful piercing. different parts body, including tongue. Over time, these rituals became more dramatic, colorful and bloody.

2. La Tomatina


An odd tradition: La Tomatina.

Spain
La Tomatina, annual festival throwing tomatoes, takes place in the Spanish city of Buñol. It is held on the last Wednesday of August, and during this festival, participants throw tomatoes at each other for pure pleasure. There are many theories regarding the origin of the Tomatina.


This funny La Tomatina.

In 1945, during the parade of giants and cabesudos, young people who wanted to participate in this event organized a fight on main square city ​​- Plaza del Pueblo. There was a vegetable table nearby, so they grabbed tomatoes from it and started throwing them at the police. This is the most popular of many theories about how the Tomatina Festival came about.

3. Stinging gloves


Strange tradition: stinging gloves.

Brazil
The most painful initiation ritual exists in the Satere-Mave tribe, who live in the Amazon jungle. It is impossible to become a man here without taking part in this ritual. When a young boy becomes sexually mature, he, along with the shaman and other boys of his own age, collect bullet ants in the jungle. The bite of this insect is considered the most painful in the world and is often compared to the sensation of being hit by a bullet in the body.

The collected ants are fumigated with the smoke of special herbs, from which they fall asleep, and placed in a woven mesh glove. When ants wake up, they become very aggressive. Boys should wear gloves and keep them on for about ten minutes while dancing to distract themselves from the pain. In the Satere-Mave tribe, a boy needs to endure this 20 times to prove that he is already a man.

4. Yanomami funeral ritual


Strange tradition: the Yanomami funeral ritual.

Venezuela, Brazil
Funeral rituals performed with dead relatives are very important in the Yanomami tribe (Venezuela and Brazil), as the people of this tribe want to provide eternal peace and rest for souls of the dead person.


For the past 11 thousand years, the Yanomami have had little contact with the outside world.

When a member of the Yanomami tribe dies, his body is burned. Ashes and bones are added to the plantain soup, and then the relatives of the deceased drink this soup. They believe that if you swallow the remains of a loved one, then his spirit will always live inside them.

5. Filing teeth


Strange tradition: teeth filing.

India / Bali
One of the largest Hindu religious ceremonies is significant in Balinese culture and symbolizes the transition from adolescence to adulthood... This ritual is intended for both men and women and must be completed before marriage (and is sometimes included in the marriage ceremony).

This ceremony is performed by filing the teeth so that they go straight line... In the Balinese Hindu belief system, this holiday helps people to free themselves from all invisible evil forces. They believe that teeth are a symbol of lust, greed, anger and jealousy, and the custom of cutting teeth strengthens a person physically and spiritually.

6. Ban on bathroom in Chidun


An odd tradition: the ban on the bathroom in Chidun.

Indonesia
Weddings in the Indonesian Tidun community boast truly unique traditions. According to one local custom, the groom is not allowed to see the bride's face until he sings a few love songs for her. The curtain separating the couple rises only after the songs have been sung to the end.

But the strangest of the customs implies that the bride and groom are not allowed to use the bathroom for three days and nights after the wedding. The Tidun people believe that if this custom is not followed, then it is fraught with dire consequences for marriage: divorce, infidelity or death of children in early age.

7. Famadikhana


A strange tradition: famadihana - dancing with the dead.

Madagascar
Famadihana is a traditional festival celebrated in both urban and rural areas of Madagascar, but it is most popular among tribal communities. This is a funerary tradition known as the turning of the bones. People carry the bodies of their ancestors out of the family crypts, wrap them in new robes, and then dance with the corpses around the tomb.

In Madagascar, this has become a common ritual, usually performed every seven years. The main motive of the festival arose from the belief of local residents that the dead return to God and are reborn.

8. Cutting off fingers in the Dani tribe


Strange tradition: cutting off fingers in the Dani tribe.

New Guinea
The Dani (or Ndani) tribe are indigenous peoples who inhabit the fertile lands of the Baliem Valley in West Papua New Guinea. Members of this tribe cut off their fingers to show their grief at funeral ceremonies. Along with amputation, they also smear their faces with ash and clay as a sign of sadness.

Dani cut off their fingers to express feelings for someone they love very much. When a person from a tribe dies, his relative (most often a wife or husband) cuts off his finger and buries it along with the dead body of his husband or wife, as a symbol of love for him.

9. Throwing babies


Strange tradition: tossing babies.

India
A bizarre ritual of throwing newborn babies from a 15-meter-high temple and catching them in cloth has been practiced in India for the past 500 years. This is done by couples who received the blessing of a child after taking a vow at the Sri Santsvara Temple in the vicinity of Indy (Karnataka State).

The ritual is observed by both Muslims and Hindus every year and takes place under tight security. The ritual is performed in the first week of December and is believed to bring health, prosperity and good fortune to the newborn. Every year, about 200 children are "dropped" from the temple to the songs and dances of the crowd. Most children are under two years old.

10. Mourning Muharram


A strange tradition: Muharram's mourning.

Iran, India, Iraq
Mourning Muharram is an important period of mourning in Shiite Islam, which is held in Muharram (the first month of the Islamic calendar). It is also called the Memory of Muharram. This event is held in honor of the death of Imam Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad, who was killed by the troops of the second Umayyad caliph Yazid I.

The event reaches its climax on the tenth day, known as Ashura. Some groups of Shia Muslims lash their bodies with chains with razors and knives attached to them. This tradition is practiced by everyone age groups(in some regions even children are forced to take part). This custom is observed among the inhabitants of Iran, Bahrain, India, Lebanon, Iraq and Pakistan.

Tradition, custom, rite - this is an age-old connection, a kind of bridge between the past and the present. Some customs are rooted in the distant past, over time they have changed and lost their sacred meaning, but are respected at the present time, passed from grandparents to grandchildren and great-grandchildren as a memory of ancestors. V countryside traditions are observed more widely than in cities where people live in isolation from each other. But many rituals have become so firmly established in our lives that we perform them without even thinking about their meaning.

There are calendar traditions associated with field work, family, pre-Christian period, the most ancient, religious, which entered our life with the adoption of Christianity, and some pagan rituals mixed with Orthodox beliefs and changed somewhat.

Calendar rites

The Slavs were pastoralists and farmers. In the pre-Christian period in the pantheon Slavic gods included several thousand idols. The supreme gods were Svarozhichi, the progenitors of all living things. One of them was Veles, the patron of cattle breeding and agriculture. The Slavs made sacrifices to him before sowing and harvesting. On the first day of sowing, all the villagers went out into the fields in new clean shirts with flowers and wreaths. The oldest resident of the village and the smallest started sowing, and they threw the first grain into the ground.

The harvest was also a celebration. Everyone, even the old and sick, the inhabitants of the village gathered at the border of the field, a sacrifice was made to Veles, most often a large ram, then the strongest stood in a row and handsome men and young guys with braids in their hands and at the same time went through the front page. Then girls and young women, always fast and healthy, tied sheaves and put grandmothers. After a successful harvest, a rich table was laid for all the inhabitants of the village, at the head of the table they put a large sheaf, decorated with ribbons and flowers, which was also considered a sacrifice to the god Veles.

Shrovetide also refers to calendar rites, although at present it is already considered a semi-religious holiday. In ancient times, this rite called upon Yarilo, the god of the sun and heat, on whom the harvest directly depended. That is why the custom was born on this day to bake pancakes, fatty, ruddy, hot as the sun. All people danced in round dances, which are also a symbol of the sun, sang songs praising the power and beauty of the luminary, and burned an effigy of Maslenitsa.

Today Shrovetide has left its pagan meaning, and is considered almost a religious holiday. Each day of Shrovetide week has its own purpose. And the most important day is Forgiveness Sunday, when you should ask all your family and relatives for forgiveness for involuntary offenses. Sunday is the turn to Lent, the strictest and longest, when believers refuse meat and dairy food for seven weeks.

Yule rites

When Christianity was firmly established in Russia, new church holidays... And some holidays with a religious basis have become truly popular. It is to these that the Christmas festivities should be attributed, which take place from January 7 (the Nativity of Christ) to January 19 (the Baptism of the Lord).

On Christmastide, young people went home with performances, other groups of boys and girls carolled, girls and young women wondered in the evenings. It is imperative that all the villagers took part in the preparations for the holidays. Cattle were slaughtered and special dishes were prepared. On Christmas Eve, January 6, the evening before Christmas, they cooked uzvar, a sweet stewed fruit with rice, cooked cheesecakes and pies, a soup, a special dish of cabbage with grain.

Young people sang special comic carols songs, asked for food, jokingly threatened:

“If you don’t give me a pie, we’ll bring the cow by the horns.”

If food was not given, then they could play a joke: close the pipe, break up a stack of firewood, freeze the door. But this was rare. It was believed, and it is still believed that generosity, songs with wishes of happiness and prosperity, and the grain brought into the house by guests, bring happiness to the house for the whole New Year, relieve disease and misfortune. Therefore, everyone tried to entertain the guests and give them generous gifts.

Young girls often wondered about fate, about grooms. The most daring ones wondered in a bath with a mirror by candlelight, although it was considered very dangerous, because in the bath they took off their cross. The girls brought armfuls of firewood into the house, according to the number of logs, even or odd, one could tell whether she would get out or not, she was getting married this year. They fed the chicken with a countable grain, drowned the wax and considered what he predicted for them

Family rites

Perhaps most of all rituals and traditions are associated with family life. Matchmaking, wedding, christening - all this required the observance of ancient rituals that came from grandmothers and great-grandmothers, and their strict observance promised a happy family life, healthy children and grandchildren.

Slavs used to live large families where adult children, who already had their own families, lived with their parents. In such families, three or four generations could be observed, families included up to twenty people. Such an elder big family usually there was a father or older brother, and his wife was the head among women. Their orders were carried out unquestioningly on a par with the laws of the government.

Weddings were usually celebrated after harvest or after Epiphany. Later, the most successful time for weddings was "Krasnaya Gorka" - the week after Easter. Myself wedding ceremony took a rather long period of time and included several stages, and therefore a large number of rituals.

The groom's parents came to matchmaking the bride together with their godparents, less often other close relatives. The conversation should have begun allegorically:

"You have a product, we have a merchant" or "Did a heifer run into your yard, we came for it."

If the bride's parents agreed, the bride and groom should have had a show, where the bride and groom would get to know each other. Then there will be collusion or arm-wrestling. Here, new relatives agree on the wedding day, the dowry, and what gifts the groom will bring to the bride.

When everything was agreed upon, her bridesmaids gathered at the bride's house every evening and helped prepare the dowry: they weaved, sewed, knitted lace, and embroidered gifts for the groom. All the girls' gatherings were accompanied by sad songs, because no one knew what fate the girl would have. Hard work and complete submission to the will of her husband awaited a woman in her husband's house. On the first day of the wedding, songs were mainly lyrical, magnifying, farewell laments. Upon arrival from the church, the parents were greeted on the porch by their parents with bread and salt, and the mother-in-law had to put a spoonful of honey in her new daughter-in-law's mouth.

The second day is quite another matter. On this day, as was customary, the son-in-law with his friends went to "the mother-in-law for pancakes." After a good feast, the guests dressed up, covered their faces with bandages or canvas, and drove around the village, visiting all their new relatives. This custom is still preserved in many villages, where, on the second day of the wedding, the mummers themselves harness themselves to the cart and roll new matchmakers through the streets.

And, of course, speaking of customs, one cannot miss the ceremony of baptizing an infant. Children were baptized immediately after birth. For the performance of the ceremony, they consulted for a long time, choosing godparents. They will be the second parents for the child and are equally responsible for the life, health and upbringing of the baby. Godparents become godfathers and maintain friendly relations with each other throughout their lives.

When the child was one year old, godmother I put him on a twisted sheepskin coat and with scissors carefully cut off the cross in his hair on the crown. This was done in order to devilry did not have access to his thoughts and further actions.

The grown-up godson on Christmas Eve every year necessarily brought the godfather kutya and other treats, and the godfather presents him with some sweets in return.

Mixed rites

As we have already said, some rituals originated in the pre-Christian period, but they continue to live to this day, having slightly changed their appearance. So it was with Shrovetide. The rite is widely known - the celebration of the night on Ivan Kupala. It was believed that only on this single day of the year the fern blooms. Whoever can find this flower that does not fall into his hands will be able to see the treasures under the ground, and all the secrets will be revealed to him. But only a person who is pure in heart, sinless can find it.

In the evening, huge bonfires were made, through which young people jumped in pairs. It was believed that if two of you, holding hands, jump over the fire, then love will not leave you for all your life. They danced in circles, sang songs. The girls wove wreaths and let them float in the water. They believed that if the wreath floated to the shore, then the girl would remain alone for another year, if she drowned, she would die this year, and if she floated with the flow, she would soon marry.