221 Curious Customs Practices and Traditions Around the World

Mundan is a custom followed by the Hindus. It is a custom when the child receives his first haircut. Do you know: The Hindus believe that the baby’s birth hair has a connection with bad habits from his past life. Mundan is usually performed on a child between the age of 1 and 3 years. […]

Tol is a custom celebrated on a child’s first birthday in Korea. Do you know: In the past people would start the Tol day with a prayer to the mountain god–Sanshin and the birth goddess–Samshin. On the Tol day, the baby is dressed in colourful clothes known as ‘Tol-bok’, which are different for boys and

The Pushkar Camel Fair is organized annually in Pushkar, on the edge of the Thardesert in Rajasthan, India. Do you know: Approximately 3,00,000 people attend the fair. The Pushkar camel fair had started as a way to gather all local camel traders in the time of KartikPurnima festival. The fair has evolved with more than

There is an interesting wedding custom in the Marquesas Islands that comprise 14 islands in French Polynesia. Do you know: Local weddings in the Marquesas Islands end in a ‘human carpet’. After the wedding, there is a custom where the bride’s relatives all lie facing down on their bellies. They form a long row in

Not having a single knot on the bride and the groom is an Orthodox Judaism custom. Do you know: This custom is emphasized more for the groom than the bride at the wedding. In the Lubavitch Hassidic sect of Judaism, the groom must arrive at his wedding without a knot on his body. Before the

Placing a doll similar to the bride at the wedding is a popular wedding custom in Puerto Rico. Do you know: The bride in Puerto Rico carries a bouquet made of poppy flowers and a fan, which are meant to bring good luck. A doll made in the likeness of the bride is during weddings.

There are many symbolic customs that surround weddings in Finland. Do you know: According to Finnish customs, the bride and the groom are supposed to take a sauna before their wedding. In Finland, the future bride-to-be wears a golden crown on her head. An older married man accompanies her. Along with him, she goes from

Blindfolding the groom is a common custom in Estonian weddings. Do you know: Only the groom and men at the wedding carry out the blindfold tradition in Estonia. After the wedding, the groom in Estonia is blindfolded at his own reception and single men are made to stand around him. The groom is spun around

There are some strange amusing customs surrounding Russian weddings. Do you know: The guest who wishes to get married soon, secretly pulls the tablecloth at the couple’s reception. Russian celebrations last for two days, and on the second day, the Russians have a tradition where guests have to buy their forks, spoons and knives at

A special banner is made as a part of wedding customs in Bulgaria. Do you know: The bride kisses the rings of all married women at the wedding, each of who gives her a fig for luck. At the wedding, the groom’s best man has the important task of carrying a special kind of banner.

Making the marriage bed is a wedding custom followed in Greece. Do you know: Brides in Greece carry a little sugar in their gloves to ensure her future is sweet. Making of the marriage bed is a wedding custom that is carried out before the wedding festivities. It begins with the fathers of the bride

Claddagh Rings are a part of Irish wedding customs. Do you know: This popular engagement ring was first produced in the 17th century during the reign of Queen Mary-II. The Claddagh Ring is a popular engagement and wedding ring that originated from a fishing village of the same name. The Claddagh is shaped like a

13 coins and white ribbons, known as ‘lassos’, are a part of the wedding customs in Mexican culture. Do you know: Brides do not wear pearls on their wedding days in Mexico because pearls are said to represent tears. During Mexican weddings, the groom gifts his bride 13 coins, known as ‘arras’. The arras represent

Copo d’ Agua is a wedding custom celebrated by the Portuguese. Do you know: During the reception, the bride takes off her shoes, which are then used by guests for collecting money in, and used by the couple for the future. Copo d’ Agua or Cup of water is a custom where the bride and

Handkerchiefs play a role in Swiss wedding customs. Do you know: A gelbe frau or godmother, hands out red handkerchiefs to the guests who give her a few coins in return for the couple. While the godmother may hand out red handkerchiefs, the bridesmaids throw out colourful handkerchiefs at the guests in the wedding. A