Top 5 Most Peculiar Rituals

This ancient Mexican tradition honors loved ones who have passed away, typically by constructing elaborate altars in homes, decorated with flowers, candles, and offerings of food and drink. The celebration dates back over 2,000 years to pre-Columbian times, when the Aztecs and Mayans revered their deceased ancestors as spirits that returned on specific days. Over 20 million people participate in this ritual each year, making it one of Mexico's most significant cultural events.

This unique spiritual practice is performed by the Japanese, who seek to induce a state of trance-like meditation through the consumption of cephalopod ink. The ritual requires great focus and concentration, as participants must ingest the ink while visualizing specific patterns and energies. Approximately 200 people in Japan participate in this ritual each year.

This fascinating desert celebration takes place annually in Gobi Guruvan Khongor Sands, Mongolia, where participants deliberately ride camels through sandstorms to test their endurance and survival skills. The festival is a nod to the country's nomadic heritage, with approximately 10,000 attendees from around the world participating each year.

This Hindu-Buddhist ritual celebrates Lord Murugan's victory over evil spirits, where devotees pierce themselves with hooks, skewers, and other objects as a symbol of faith and devotion to their deities. The practice has been observed for centuries in countries like India, Malaysia, and Singapore, with approximately 1 million participants annually.

In traditional Pacific Island cultures, kava (a plant native to the Pacific Islands) is brewed into a sacred drink that promotes relaxation, healing, and spiritual growth. The ceremonial preparation of kava involves intricate rituals, chanting, and symbolic gestures, which have been observed for over 2,000 years among various island communities. Approximately 500 families from across the Pacific region still practice this traditional ceremony each year.