Our world is rich in colorful traditions preserved for generations. While many are harmless, some...well...
Here's a countdown of these gory traditions from Indonesia to the Amazon.
10. Death chair for the deceased.
When someone dies in the Ifugao tribe on Luzon Island in the Philippines, the family prepares a wooden chair in front of their house for the body to be seated on. The torsoand head are tied to the chair so the person sits up straight andlooks normal. Their eyes are closed so they don'thave to see the living. The dead bodies remain seated for eight days, to give time for family and friends to pay their respects.
9. Dancing with the dead.
Every seven years ,people in Madagascar dig up their ancestors, change their clothes and dance with them in theFamadihana ritual. The dead bodies areparadedaround and the event includes livemusic, animal sacrifices and feasting with hundreds of guests. A real party!
8. The Walking Dead.
Yay! More bodies, and right here in Indonesia!During theMa nene ritualin Toraja, Sulawesi, every year localswaketheir dead relatives up, wash and dress them in clean clothes and just generally hang out. The Torajans believe the spirits of their ancestors never leave their families and will always help theliving, so the ritual gives the deceased respect the deceased. This still goes on today, and since everyone has a smartphone now, that means selfies. Read all about thathere.
7. Self-flagellation for salvation.
SomeShiaMuslims prepare for the Islamic New Year by tyingstilettoknives tometal chains and whipping themselves. It is an act ofcontrition for not goingto war to save Husayn Ibn Ali,theProphet Muhammads grandson. The ritual is conducted during theAshurafestival, when Shia muslims atone for their sins. In Indonesia, where most muslims are Sunni,the day is celebrated by eating red and white porridge.
6. Cutting body parts inmourning.
When they lose a family member, members of the Dani tribeconduct theIkipalin ritual, cuttingoff part ofafinger. The damagedfingers show how many family members one has lost. Another ritual called Nasu Palekinvolves cutting an ear off in mourning or to get rid of bad luck.
WANT TO FIND OUT WHAT'S NUMBER 1?CLICK NEXT. WARNING: NOT FOR THE FAINTHEARTED!
(brl/red)
