The world is full of celebrations, but some festivals stand out for their sheer eccentricity. From throwing tomatoes to jumping over babies, these bizarre festivals are strange yet captivating events that reflect the unique traditions and cultures of various regions. In this article, we’ll dive into three of the most bizarre festivals you won’t believe exist.
La Tomatina – Spain’s Famous Tomato Fight
La Tomatina is a wild and colorful festival held annually in Buñol, Spain. This famous tomato fight sees thousands of participants hurling overripe tomatoes at one another in the streets, turning the town into a squishy, red battlefield. The festival began in 1945 after a playful street brawl among locals escalated into a full-scale food fight, and since then, it has become an iconic event.
Despite the chaos, La Tomatina is surprisingly organized. The festival kicks off with participants trying to climb a greasy pole to retrieve a ham, signaling the start of the tomato-throwing mayhem. Trucks filled with ripe tomatoes arrive, and for one hour, the streets are filled with laughter, red pulp, and flying tomatoes. By the end, Buñol is covered in a sea of tomato juice, and everyone walks away sticky but exhilarated.
While the origins of this strange festival remain uncertain, La Tomatina attracts tens of thousands of tourists from around the world each year. It’s not only a fun and bizarre event but also a massive tourist attraction that boosts the local economy.
Naki Sumo – Japan’s Crying Baby Contest
Japan’s Naki Sumo festival, also known as the “Crying Sumo” contest, is a centuries-old tradition that takes place at various temples across the country. The goal? To make babies cry. You might wonder why anyone would want to do that, but in Japan, a crying baby is believed to bring good health and ward off evil spirits.
At the festival, sumo wrestlers gently hold babies, and the first baby to cry is declared the winner. If the babies don’t start crying on their own, the wrestlers will try different tactics—sometimes even wearing scary masks or yelling—to provoke tears. While it may seem cruel, parents willingly participate, as the ritual is thought to bless their child with health, prosperity, and a long life.
The Naki Sumo festival has deep roots in Japanese culture, blending the country’s love for traditions with their belief in spiritual protection. The event is both heartwarming and unusual, and though it may be strange to outsiders, it holds great cultural significance for Japanese families.
El Colacho – Spain’s Baby-Jumping Festival
El Colacho is another peculiar festival from Spain, but this time it takes place in the small village of Castrillo de Murcia. Known as the Baby-Jumping Festival, El Colacho has been celebrated for over 400 years and is steeped in religious tradition. The festival involves men dressed as devils (called “Colacho”) jumping over newborn babies lying on mattresses in the street. This act is believed to cleanse the babies of original sin and protect them from illness and evil spirits.
The origins of El Colacho date back to the 17th century, and although it may seem dangerous, there have been no reported injuries during the festival’s long history. The jumping devils, dressed in bright yellow and red costumes, leap over rows of infants, accompanied by traditional music and cheering crowds.
El Colacho is not just a unique spectacle; it’s also deeply symbolic. The festival represents the fight between good and evil, with the devil symbolically fleeing after jumping over the babies, leaving them blessed and pure. While this unusual tradition may be shocking to some, it’s an important religious event for the people of Castrillo de Murcia and draws curious onlookers from all over the world.
These festivals may seem bizarre, but they are also a testament to the diversity of human culture. From Spain’s messy tomato fight to Japan’s crying baby contest, these events offer a glimpse into the eccentric and fascinating traditions that make each region unique. Whether you’re looking for strange festivals to add to your travel bucket list or are just curious about the world’s quirkiest celebrations, these festivals prove that culture can be both weird and wonderful.
Do you know of any bizarre or unique festivals from around the world? Share the festival name and location in the comments below, and we’ll feature the most interesting ones in our next post!
