When you go on vacation abroad and visit some countries in the world, there is a chance that you will see some strangest festivals that are not usually done in other places.
There may be a certain event that is so respected and special for the local community in a city that it is celebrated by holding a festival. As a tourist, seeing the festival can make us surprised, smile, and amazed because of the strangeness of the festival being held. And every country certainly has a festival that is different from one another.
With that, here are the 9 strangest festivals around the world that will make you scratch your head.
1. Beer Floating Festival – Finland
If you’re a beer lover, then you should attend the beer floating festival in Finland. You can participate in this festival by going to Helsinki which is the capital of Finland.
This festival involves a lot of people where you can drink, swim and have a beer bath together. You will find all kinds of beer and beer-related activities in this festival.
The fun fact is that there is no official event organizer or committee that manages this festival. People who love beer will come there, drink beer, swim, board the boat, and drink beer together with people who take part in the Beer Floating festival.
2. Pamplona Bull Run – Spain
Fighting with bulls has been a common festival in Spain for decade. Among all type of the bulls game, there is one famous one: Pamplona Bull Run.
This festival is usually held in July every year. A number of bulls will be released on the streets and will run in all directions randomly. People who take part in the festival must escape from the pursuit of the bull group.
There is no specific goal from this festival other than being able to escape from the bull’s chase. This festival has high risk with the possibility of someone being injured and even dying.
3. Festival of the Horns – Rocca Canterano
Affair is one of the problems that arise in romantic relationships. Usually, when there is an affair, this will be a sad ending for both side.
However, it turns out there is one city that celebrates the moment of the affair. A city outside Rome called Rocca Canterano celebrates infidelity by women with a festival called the Festival of the Horns or Festa del Cornuto. This festival has been carried out long ago in the era of the Roman Empire.
In times of war, men will leave their homes. After returning from the war, not a few of these soldiers were having affair with others. The term cornuto is a term used to designate people whose partner cheated on them. Then these cheated men will take action on the streets by destroying objects given by their ex. It is hoped that this festival can entertain and honor the male soldiers.
4. Moose Dropping Festival – Alaska
In Alaska, you can witness moose falls from the sky. It’s not a natural phenomenon, but the residents of Talkeetna have deliberately dropped moose droppings from the sky.
Moose droppings are painted white and then dropped from a helicopter or hot air balloon. Festival attendees at the bottom will guess where the dirt will land. This strange festival has been held since 2009 and still very popular until now.
5. Cat Food Festival – Canete
Canete festival or also known as the Cat Food Festival is a festival that uses cat meat to be eaten by many people. The festival indeed raise a controversy from the animal lovers, especially cat lovers.
This festival is held once a year, which is in September. About 50 cats are used to celebrate this festival. The cats will be killed and their meat will be taken.
Cat meat will be processed into Canete specialties such as schnitzel, hiacatay, or greaves. According to local beliefs, cat meat has properties as an aphrodisiac and prevents bronchial disease.
6. Monkey Buffet Festival – Thailand
In Thailand, there is this festival called as Monkey Buffet Festival when the locals are treating the monkey all you can eat buffet for a day. This festival is a feast for monkeys. In Lopburi province, the monkey population there is very large. The people there think that monkeys are respected animals and can bring good luck.
As a form of respect for the monkeys, the people of Lopburi provide food for the monkeys to eat. The food consists of fruits and vegetables that are the monkey’s favorite.
7. Blackawton International Festival of Worm Charming – UK
Worms are the animals that are considered disgusting by some people but have benefits for the environment. Worms can help fertilize plants naturally. However, you might not expect if there is a festival that use worm as the main theme.
Precisely in Southeast England, Devon, there is a strange festival called the Blackawton International Festival of Worm Charming. A number of people must be able to catch worms from the ground in a predetermined time. The rules require participants to be able to catch worms with any effort and not to dig them.
Some tried to take the worms by singing, using musical instruments, pouring special liquids, and so on. The point is not to take it by digging.
8. Jalilkatu – India
India, a country strong in tradition and there are many festivals held to celebrate something. Among all the many festivals, there is one festival that is considered strange because of the high risk but is still held and attended by many participants. The festival is called jalilkatu or bull-taming.
The festival is held in Tamil Nadu and is part of the Pongal celebrations. A bull will be released in a crowd of people. Those with big guts will try to jump and sit on the bull. As much as possible the participants sit for as long as possible. Of course the risk of injury is very high.
This festival was first performed in the 3rd century BC and was performed by the ancient Ayars. In 2017 the festival was banned. However, because local residents protested loudly, the authorities finally lifted the ban.
9. Day of the Dead Festival – Mexico
In some countries in the world, there is a tradition where there are special events held to honor the deceased family. Mexico is one of the countries in the world that has a strong tradition of respecting ancestral spirits. And they celebrate by holding the Day of the Dead festival.
This festival is somewhat similar to Halloween celebrations where people take to the streets dressed in horror style. But in Mexico, the festival is more spiritual. Those who are still alive will dress up like ghosts in spooky and colorful costumes. This colorful outfit depicts a soulful and uplifting atmosphere.
