The world is colorful. Unusual customs

There are quite a few exotic customs. Women are carried around in exchange for beer, future spouses are smeared with soot, and a buffet is held for monkeys. Let's take a closer look at some of them.

Every year, Spain hosts the La Tomatina festival. In Buñol, a small town near Valencia, around 20,000 participants throw tomatoes at each other. The fun always takes place on the last Wednesday in August. Only overripe tomatoes that would otherwise be thrown away are used for throwing. It started in the 1940s as a fun "fight" between friends. Now it attracts thousands of visitors, and complete strangers hurl the red vegetables at each other.

When a child in the Amish community in the United States celebrates their 16th birthday, the young adult experiences something unique: "Rumspringa." On this special occasion, the birthday boy or girl is allowed to cross the strict boundaries of the Amish. They are a close-knit community that rejects modern life. The Amish travel in horse-drawn carriages and use neither electricity nor other modern conveniences. During Rumspringa, however, young people are allowed to take a look at a life that is completely unknown to them. They are allowed to try out all kinds of technology, wear modern clothes, listen to popular music—in short, test out a life that is completely normal for most people. Afterward, they decide whether they want to stay with their community or live in the modern world. However, there are definitely limits to Rumspringa. They are not allowed to drive a car, smoke, or take drugs. Extensive partying in clubs or at parties is also not permitted.

There is a special competition in Finland. Since 1992, the"wife carrying"championship has been held here. In Sonkajärvi, women are thrown over the shoulder and carried almost 255 meters. This test of speed and endurance is rewarded with beer equal to the weight of the participants. More than 200 couples from 18 countries took part in 2025. However, the course has its pitfalls. There are a total of three obstacles that must be overcome with the woman on the back. Two of them are on land and another consists of a one-meter-deep water pit.

In Mexico, more emphasis is placed on fun. At least in the"La Mordida tradition." At first glance, it looks like a normal birthday party. With gifts, friends, and cake. However, the birthday boy's hands are tied behind his back. When the cry of "Mordida! Mordida! Mordida!" is heard, things get uncomfortable for the birthday boy. In this context, "mordida" means "to take a big bite." And that's exactly what happens. The cake is literally stuffed into the birthday boy's mouth. The treat usually consists of a lot of cream, and you can imagine what the guest of honor looks like at the end.

Thailand seems to have a soft spot for monkeys. Every November, Lopbury hosts theMonkey Buffet Festival, where thousands of monkeys are invited to a buffet of around four tons of fresh fruit and vegetables. At the opening ceremony, residents dance in monkey costumes in the town, which is about 150 kilometers from Bangkok. During the celebration, around 3,000 monkeys enjoy the meal prepared especially for them at local temples.

As future spouses, you might want to avoid Scotland. There, they have the "blackening ceremony." The engaged couple is first smeared with a sticky liquid (usually molasses) and then decorated with feathers, flour, or soot. This is supposed to prepare them for the hard times ahead in marriage. The couple is first picked up from their home or workplace and taken to a public place, tied together. There, the sticky ingredients are applied. The "decorated" lovers are then driven through the city in a cart. Sometimes they even have to endure minor games or drink together in this attire.

The "Dia de los Muertos" is now familiar to almost everyone. In Mexico, the deceased are honored on this day. According to popular belief, they return from the other world and spend some time in their family's home. There, they are commemorated with an altar decorated with their favorite items. An indigenous people living in relative isolation in Venezuela takes this tradition one step further. The Yanomami tribe in the Amazon honors their ancestors by eating a very special soup. In a sacred ritual, the ashes of the deceased are added to a special plantain soup, which is then eaten by the family. This is supposed to ease the soul's transition to the realm of the dead and strengthen the connection to living family members.

Here are some links to Austrian traditions:

The palm leaf display in Tyrol

Kranzlreiten in Carinthia

The Hundsstoa Ranggeln in Salzburg

The Glöckler Run in Upper Austria

Carnival in Tyrol

Horse-drawn carriages in Vienna