A Frost Flower is created on autumn or early winter mornings when ice, in extremely thin layers, is pushed out from the stems of plants. At freezing point, the sap in the stem of plants will expand forming microscopically thin cracks. These give way under the pressure of the sap and split open. Water, which […]
For twenty years a mysterious handprint was visible on a Chicago fire station window. It belonged to Francis Leavy, a firefighter, who predicted his own death in 1924. On April 18, 1924, a four-storey building was going up in flames; in the battle against the inferno Francis Leavy lost his life. The very next day,
The Asaro Mud Men are a famous symbol of Papua, New Guinea. Do you know:Asaro mud men are warriors who created a unique tradition by camouflaging themselves in river mud. The story behind the tradition of this warrior tribe is after they were defeated, the warriors were forced to flee into the Asaro River where
Konaki Sumo is a Japanese tradition that is more than 400 years old, organized in certain temples. Do you know: The word ‘Konaki’ means, crying. The tradition is practised to pray for a baby’s health. In this custom, two sumo wrestlers stand facing each other with a baby in each wrestler’s arms. The babies are
Silbo Gomero is a custom practised on the island of La Gomera, part of the Spanish Canary Islands. Do you know: Silbo Gomero is actually a whistling language. The landscape of the island of La Gomera was extremely rough and not easy to traverse on. Hence, the locals found an unusual way of communicating with
Harikuyo is a Japanese memorial custom that is dedicated to pins and needles. Do you know: The most popular Harikuyo ritual is organized in temples in Tokyo. In olden days, pins and needles were the most valuable things to Japanese women. Hence every year in late January or early February, a ritual dedicated to pins
Gioco del Ponte or ‘the battle of the bridge’ is a mock battle organized over the Ponte di Mezzo (bridge) in Pisa, Italy. Do you know: The first battle was held over the bridge in 1568 to gain control over the bridge. The Gioco del Ponte in its original form was considered violent and hence
Tunarama is a popular traditional festival in Australia. Do you know: This festival was held for the first time in 1960. Tunarama is a four-day long festival with more than 40,000 people attending. Among many events, the most popular event at the festival is the Championship Tuna Toss. Both men and women participate and each
Inukshuks are traditional landmarks existing across the Arctic region of North America. Do you know: The Inukshuk in the shape of a human being is known as an Inunnguag. Inukshuks come in all sizes with just a single rock or many rocks in varying sizes. These landmarks are built for many purposes. In the large
The Flyers of Papantla are a group of 5 men from the city of Papantla in Mexico. Do you know: The ritual these men perform is said to have formed in the 1200’s. The Flyers of Papantla originated from Totonaca legends, in which the men send a message to the god of fertility, asking for
Jallikattu or ‘Chasing the bull’ is a bull taming competition held in Tamil Nadu, India. Do you know: This tradition is more than 2,000 years old and proofs of the same are various cave paintings showing men chasing bulls. The word ‘Jallikattu’ is a combination of two words, meaning coins and package. This is because
The Hare Pie Scrambling & Bottle Kicking tradition is an event held in Leicestershire on Easter Monday. Do you know: The bottle kicking is actually a special football match played with small beer barrels used as balls. This tradition involves a Hare Pie procession comprising individuals in unique costumes leading the procession, including a man
Hadaka Matsuri or ‘the naked festival’ is a 1,200-year-old tradition celebrated annually in Japan. Do you know: Over 3,00,000 people come to watch this festival. Every year in February, more than 10,000 participants wearing just pieces of loincloth follow a naked man or Shin-otoko in the city streets. While the Shin-otoko represents evil, touching him
Clean Monday is the first day of a traditional feast of the Orthodox Lent in Greece. Do you know: On Clean Monday, people traditionally eat flat bread made of flour, water, yeast and olive oil, known as Lagana. A traditional custom, known as the ‘Flour war’, is held every year on Clean Monday. This tradition
Worm Charming started out as a ritual amongst fishermen but soon evolved into a traditional sport. Do you know: The competition was formed in 1980, when Tom Shufflebotham charmed 511 worms from the ground in half an hour. A World Championship for charming worms is held traditionally in Cheshire. The sport was created as a