The most amazing and interesting customs of the peoples of the earth. The most unusual traditions and rituals of the peoples of the world

Every nation that exists in our world has its own traditions, customs and rituals. And how many of these peoples, so many traditions - very different, unusual, funny, shocking, romantic. But whatever they are, they are honored and passed down from generation to generation.

As our reader could already guess, today we will introduce the most unusual greetings of the peoples of the world, as well as their traditions and customs.

Samoa

Samoans sniff each other when they meet. For them, it is rather a tribute to their ancestors than a serious ritual. Once upon a time, in this way, the Samoans tried to find out where the person they greeted was from. The smell could tell how many people walked through the jungle or when last time ate But more often than not, a stranger was identified by smell.

New Zealand

In New Zealand, the indigenous people, the Maori, touch each other with their noses when they meet. This tradition goes back centuries. It is called "hongi" and symbolizes the breath of life - "ha", ascending to the gods themselves. After that, the Maori perceive the person as their friend, and not just as a visitor. This tradition is observed even when meeting at " top level”, so do not be surprised if you see on TV how the president of a country rubs his nose with the representative of New Zealand. This is etiquette and should not be broken.

Andaman Islands

A native of the Andaman Islands sits on the knees of another, hugs his neck and cries. And do not think that he is complaining about his fate or wants to tell some tragic episode from his life. Thus, he rejoices in meeting his friend, and tears are the sincerity with which he meets his fellow tribesman.

Kenya

The Maasai tribe is the most ancient in Kenya, it is famous for its ancient and unusual ceremonies. One of these rituals is the welcome dance to Adam. It is performed only by the men of the tribe, as a rule, these are wars. The dancers stand in a circle and begin to jump high. The higher he jumps, the brighter he will show his courage and courage. Since the Maasai are subsistence farmers, they often have to jump like this when hunting lions and other animals.

Tibet

In Tibet, when they meet, they show each other their tongue. This custom has been going on since the IX, when Tibet was ruled by the tyrant-king Landarma. He had a black tongue. So the Tibetans were afraid that the king, after his death, might settle in someone else, and therefore they decided to show their tongue in order to protect themselves from evil. If you want to follow this custom as well, make sure you don't eat anything that turns your tongue dark or misunderstanding may occur. The arms are usually held crossed over the chest.

Japan

And not only in Japan, but everywhere in the east, you should be prepared for one of the main traditions of the peoples of the east - to immediately take off your shoes. In Japan, you will be offered slippers to cover the distance between the front door and the living room, where you will again have to remove your slippers before stepping onto the tatami (reed mat). Of course, you need to make sure that your socks are spotlessly clean. And when leaving the living room, be careful not to put on other people's slippers.

* When you're giving a gift, it's good to be humble again by saying something like, "I'm sorry it's such a trifle" or "You might not like the gift."

* When guests arrive, they are sure to be offered some kind of treat. Even if the person showed up unexpectedly, he will usually be offered a snack, even if it is just a cup of rice with pickled vegetables and tea. If you are invited to a Japanese-style restaurant, unforeseen situations may arise from which the invitee will be happy to help you find a decent way out. For example, tell you when and where to take off your shoes.

It is not necessary to sit in the Japanese manner with your legs tucked under you. Most Japanese, as well as Europeans, quickly get tired of this. Men are allowed to cross their legs, while women are subject to more stringent requirements: they must sit with their legs tucked under them, or, for convenience, moving them to one side. Sometimes a guest may be offered a low chair with a back. Stretching your legs forward is not accepted.

* When you are offered a drink, you need to raise the glass and wait until it is filled. It is recommended to render a return service to your neighbors.

* In both a Japanese home and a conference room, the place of honor is usually located further away from the door next to the tokonoma (wall niche with a scroll and other decorations). A guest may, out of modesty, refuse to take a seat of honor. Even if this causes a slight hitch, it is better to do so that later you will not be spoken of as an indiscreet person. Before you sit down, you have to wait until the guest of honor sits down. If he is delayed, then everyone rises upon his arrival.

* Before the start of the meal, an oshibori is served - a hot, damp towel, they wipe their face and hands. Meals begin with the word "Itadakimas!" and bow slightly, this is said by everyone who sits at the table and takes part in the meal. This word has many meanings, in this case it means: "I'm starting to eat with your permission!". The first to start the meal is the host or the one who, say, invites you to a restaurant. As a rule, soup and rice are served first. Rice is generally served with all dishes. If you need to rearrange cups or plates yourself, use both hands to rearrange them.

China or Japan

The chopsticks should be leaning against the dish and lifted up two-thirds. You should never put writing on sticks like a spear, cross them with each other on a plate, fold them different sides dishes, pointing at people with chopsticks, using chopsticks to pull your food closer, or worst of all, sticking them into rice. This is exactly what the Japanese do at funerals, leaving rice with sticks vertically stuck in it near the deceased. The traditions of the people of Japan do not allow a frivolous attitude towards death.

Thailand

The head of any person in Thailand, regardless of age, gender and social position considered sacred. According to centuries-old Thai belief, the spirit of a person who guards his life is located in the head. Therefore, stroking the head, ruffling the hair, or simply touching the head of a person is perceived as a real insult.

In principle, Thai women should not be touched without their consent, since most of them hold conservative views, and may also take this gesture as an insult.

You should not point at anything, and even more so at someone with your foot, the lower part of the body, which is considered “despicable” here.

For the same reason, in no case should you sit cross-legged with your feet pointing towards the Buddha statue. Thais honor every image of him, so beware of climbing or leaning on statues to take pictures.

According to the traditions in Thailand, before entering a temple or a Thai dwelling, you should take off your shoes, even if the hosts hospitably assure you that you can keep your shoes on.

In communication, a restrained, calm, friendly tone and an unchanging smile are welcome. Avoid familiarities and raising your voice.

India

Let's start with a greeting. You can say hello by simply shaking hands, as we are used to. But there are some subtleties. It is considered bad manners to shake hands with someone you have never met before. In addition, women should not shake hands with Indians, as this may be considered an insult. The most respectful greeting among Indians - namaste - is joined palms at chest level.

When meeting a Hindu, one must remember that their names consist of several parts. Worth it at first given name, then the name of his father, then the name of the caste in which he belongs and the name of the locality of his residence. For women, the name contains her own name and the name of her spouse.

When saying goodbye, Indians raise their palms and wave only their fingers. We also sometimes use a similar gesture, only in India they say goodbye to a girl like that. If you say goodbye to a man - just raise your hand.

The following gestures should not be used:

* just like with us, it is considered impolite to point somewhere index finger;

* Don't wink at a pretty girl. This gesture is indecent and speaks of a specific proposal. If a man needs a representative ancient profession, it is necessary to point with the index finger to the nostril;

* No need to snap your fingers to get someone's attention. This is taken as a challenge;

* vibration with fingers clenched into a bundle - a sign to the interlocutor that he is afraid;

*double clapping is a hint of a different orientation.

AT India exists animal cult. Some representatives of the animal world are elevated to the rank of sacred. Temples are built especially for monkeys. For example, the famous Palace of the Winds, where monkeys live in such numbers and are so aggressive that tourists are not even recommended to go there! Other sacred animals - cows - walk along the streets of settlements. They live own life and die a natural death, as they are forbidden to be eaten.

Another animal is the peacock. They literally live in clover - they sing their noisy songs everywhere: in temples, on the streets and in the courtyards of private houses.

When visiting the temple, you must take off your shoes at the entrance and enter barefoot. It is better to exclude products made of genuine leather from your wardrobe altogether. This is considered blasphemy.

Vietnam

The Vietnamese never make eye contact when talking. Perhaps because of their inherent shyness. But the main reason is that, following tradition, they do not look into the eyes of those who are respected or who have a higher rank.

Vietnamese smiles can often cause foreigners to misunderstand and even lead to embarrassing situations. The fact is that in many eastern countries a smile is also a sign of grief, anxiety or awkwardness. Smiling in Vietnam is often an expression of politeness, but it can also be a sign of skepticism, misunderstanding, or rejection of a misjudgment.

Loud arguments and heated discussions are frowned upon and are rare among the Vietnamese. Well-educated Vietnamese are well-trained in terms of self-discipline as well. Therefore, the loud voices of Europeans are often perceived with disapproval.

In a conversation, the Vietnamese very rarely go straight to the goal. To do so is to show a lack of tact and delicacy. Straightforwardness is highly valued in the Western world, but not in Vietnam. The Vietnamese do not like to say "no" and often answer "yes" when the answer should be no.

AT Everyday life Vietnamese have many different taboos. For example, the following:

* Do not praise a newborn baby as evil spirits nearby and may steal a child because of its value.

* Going to work or on business, avoid seeing the first woman. If the first thing you see when you walk out the door is a woman, go back and postpone the event.

* On the entrance doors mirrors are often hung outside. If the dragon wants to get into the house, he will see his own reflection and think that there is already another dragon there.

* Do not put one bowl of rice and one pair of chopsticks on the table. Be sure to put at least two. One bowl is for the dead.

* Don't let your chopsticks touch other chopsticks and don't make noise with them unnecessarily. Don't leave chopsticks in your food.

* Do not give anyone a toothpick.

* Never buy one pillow and one mattress, always buy two. * Do not use your relatives' towels.

* Do not turn musical instruments upside down or hit both sides of the drum at the same time.

* Do not cut your nails at night.

* In a restaurant with a Vietnamese, it is not customary to pay "in half". Let him pay, or pay the bill yourself. The person of higher rank always pays.

Gifts for the bride and groom are always given as a couple. One gift symbolizes the imminent end of marriage. Two cheap gifts are always preferable to one expensive one.

* Educated people and all who are not peasants are not engaged in manual labor. To do so is to take away a job from a poor peasant and is considered unworthy.

Tanzania

One of the most important rules of conduct for visitors is the ban on smoking in in public places. Smoking is allowed only in hotel rooms and in a number of restaurants in a special area. On the street, in clubs, cinemas, beaches, smoking is strictly prohibited, up to several hours of arrest.

The island of Zanzibar is known for its strict nature conservation law, one of the points of this law is the ban on the use of plastic bags. All goods here are issued in paper.

In most hotels, even in the most expensive rooms, there will be kerosene lamps - power outages are the main trouble of modern Tanzania.

Despite sometimes even too courteous treatment of foreigners, the local population has an unspoken tradition of making fun of them. You should not ask the first person you meet for directions, smiling sweetly, he will show you a completely wrong path. Experienced tourists recommend in such situations to introduce yourself as a journalist, English language here is well understood, then the chance of deception decreases.

Highly importance has greeting etiquette. The type of greeting depends on the status of the person and his age. A common greeting among Swahili tribes among well-known people is “Hujambo, khabari gani” (“How are you?”, “What's the news?”) Or simply “Jumbo!”. A group of people are greeted with the word "khatujambo". The word "shikamu" is used to greet respected people. Young children are taught to greet their elders by kissing their hands or kneeling before them. Friends who meet after a long separation usually shake hands and kiss each other on both cheeks. In communicating with foreigners, they often use a handshake and the traditional English “hello”.

In Tanzania, as in many other regions of Africa, the right hand is considered "clean" and the left hand is considered "dirty". Therefore, the right hand is used for eating or for exchanging gifts. The polite way to accept a gift is to first touch right hand a gift, and then the right hand of the giver.

Behavior at the table is also determined by many norms. Usually a traditional meal is held on mats on the floor, food is placed on low tables. But in many continental families, the meal is held in a European way - at the table. You can take food from a common plate with your hands and put it on your own plate, or you can eat from a common dish. The main thing is to ensure that food crumbs do not fall into a common dish and onto other people's plates. In Zanzibar, it is customary to give guests fresh clove shoots to flavor the mouth before eating. The sequence of dishes is traditional for East African countries - soup is served first, and then appetizers and hot dishes. Lunch ends with coffee and sweets. Light snacks and greens are usually on the table for the entire lunch.

You can not bypass the worshipers in front. Shoes should be removed when entering mosques and houses.

The general lifestyle of Tanzanians can be characterized by two phrases - “hakuna matata” (“no problem”) and “field-field” (“calmly”, “not in a hurry”). These phrases can describe the attitude of Tanzanians to everything around them. Service in a restaurant or travel agency is extremely slow. If a Tanzanian said "one second", then it could mean 15 minutes or half an hour. At the same time, local residents smile radiantly at all attempts to hurry them up and continue to act at a leisurely pace. It is useless to somehow influence this, you just need to put up with it and try to live in this rhythm yourself.

superstition

Lunar eclipses - special days when the evil spirit Rahukin-chan ("Rahu - eating the moon") eats the moon. Sleeping on such a night is not recommended, but you need to go outside and make a lot of noise to drive the bastard away from the home. At the same time, they call for the help of good spirits, who must fight with Rahukin-chan. Pregnant women should definitely stick a needle in a shirt in order to save the unborn child from trouble.

Fear of falling stars due to the legend of the spirit phiphungtai, who thus tries to return to our world. This spirit collective image all the dead who are trying to return through unborn children. Pregnant women should not look at shooting stars and should not even talk about it.

Wednesday is the most dangerous day when evil spirits come out into our world. You can’t start business, you can’t travel and even go to the hairdresser. Away from major cities, on Wednesday, many do not work, so as not to bring trouble.

You can't drive nails into your home floor your stomach will hurt.

Thais don't like owls, considering them harbingers of misfortune. Well, if the owl somehow already flew past the dwelling, then only monks can avert trouble, who should be invited into the house and treated well.

Sand accidentally found in the house brings good luck.

You can not play the pipe in the house, it irritates evil spirits.

Cross the threshold of the house so as not to offend the good spirits.

Spanish customs

To express their admiration, the people of Spain fold three fingers, press them to their lips and play the sound of a kiss.

Spaniards express a sign of disdain with a hand that is waved away from themselves at chest level.

Touching the earlobe is regarded by the Spaniard as an insult.

To show someone the door, the Spaniards use a gesture quite similar to our snapping fingers.

The appeal to "you" is used by them in most situations, even students in schools often refer to their teachers this way. This is an ordinary story. But the appeal to “You” can even offend a person from time to time.

When they meet, they greet each other noisily and cheerfully. The most common greeting is "Hola" - "Hi". When meeting and parting, they press cheek to cheek, imitating a kiss and embrace. For Spaniards, a short communication distance means that you are a pleasant conversationalist for him. But if you, for example, as in Germany, keep an arm's length distance while talking, then the Spaniard will understand this as a sign of disdain.

Everything always happens later than planned. There is no fixed time for breakfast, it all depends on when the Spaniard comes to work. They do not have the habit of having breakfast at home, except for a cup of coffee, because the 2nd cup, together with a sandwich, will be drunk at the beginning of the working day. It will soon be time for lunch.

Here it is necessary to emphasize such a paradox as the Spanish siesta. It starts at 1pm and lasts until 5pm. At this time, all the shops are closed, office staff crawling home for lunch and afternoon naps. Not every tourist is able to understand this, standing in front of the closed doors of the gift shop. He is surprised, upset and even angry, but... Siesta!

For the Spaniards, there are certain topics - taboo. They prefer not to talk about death, not to ask people their age. It is also not customary to talk about money, especially when you have it. No one says: “I earn a lot” or “I get enough”. Instead, you will hear: “I can’t complain” or “I live small.” On other topics, the Spaniards say a lot and, as foreigners say, too loudly.

For them, it is absolutely not necessary to know a person well in order to chat with him for hours. And from time to time it happens that a long conversation is over, and the name of the interlocutor remains unknown ... These are Spaniards.

Funny wedding traditions of the peoples of the world

The wedding tradition of some regions may also seem unusual and even funny to us. India. The fact is that there are places in India (for example, the state of Punjab) where there is a ban on a third marriage. You can choose a wife twice, four times is also not forbidden, but three times you can’t. However, the prohibition applies only to marriage with a living person, and therefore those men who did not limit themselves to a second marriage marry ... a tree. Yes, on an ordinary tree, but with all the necessary ceremonies and honors (maybe, perhaps, a little more modestly). After the wedding celebration is completed, the guests help the happy groom to be "widowed" by simply cutting down this very tree. And now there are no obstacles to the third marriage!

A similar custom is used when younger brother decides to marry before the elder does. In this situation, the older brother chooses a tree as his wife, and then just as easily frees himself from the bonds of marriage.

AT Greece the young wife is not at all afraid to seem incompetent, stepping on her husband's foot during the dance. On the contrary, this is exactly what she tries to do throughout the holiday. If the newlywed succeeds in this maneuver, it is believed that she has every chance of becoming the head of the family.

And in Greece, children appear on their wedding night. No kidding! There is a custom - in order for everything to be safe in the family, it is necessary to put children into their bed before the newlyweds. Let them run, jump on the bed - and then the young people will definitely have everything right.

AT Kenya It is customary to dress an accomplished husband in women's clothes, in which a man must walk for at least a month. It is believed that in this way the husband will be able to fully experience the difficult and difficult female lot and treat his young wife with more love in the future. By the way, this wedding custom is observed in Kenya quite strictly and no one objects. Especially the wife, who takes a photo of her husband with pleasure and saves the resulting photos in a family album.

AT Norway Since ancient times, the bride's porridge has been an obligatory treat for a wedding celebration - it was prepared from wheat with cream. Kasha was served after the bride took off her wedding attire and changed into a suit. married woman. Many jokes and amusements have always been associated with porridge in Norway, a boiler with it could even be stolen and demanded a ransom.

On the Nicobar Islands, for example, if a guy expressed a desire to marry a girl, he must become a "slave" in the girl's house, and this can last from 6 months to a year. During this time, the chosen one is determined whether she wants such a husband or not. If the girl agrees, the village council declares them husband and wife. Well, if not, the guy returns home.

AT Central Nigeria marriageable girls are placed in separate fattening huts. Only their mothers are allowed to see them, who for many months, or even whole year(depending on success) bring daughters great amount flour food, so that they become stout. Fullness in their tribe is highly valued and is a guarantee of a successful marriage.

And another article:

If you are heading abroad for a holiday or decide to start new life in a foreign land, then most likely you will encounter customs and superstitions that may seem very strange to you. Many foreign cultures include not only traditions, but also superstitions, as well as certain rules of etiquette. Often, local residents take certain rules very seriously, so those who want to successfully integrate into their new environment must be well aware of all cultural differences.

The consequences of ignoring foreign customs can be different: perhaps for a very long time they will perceive you not as their own, but as a tourist, ignoring the fact that you already live next to them. But there may be more serious problems, up to the possibility of being on the other side of the law. In any case, upset local residents- this is Right way Start your journey on the wrong foot in a new country!

Here's a look at other people's customs collected around the world. It is always better to know in advance about the experience of your predecessors.

Strange customs of the peoples of the world

Thailand- a favorite place for mountaineering for young travelers.

This country is known for many strange customs that must be followed by guests in order not to quarrel with the local population. One such custom that is often neglected by travelers is to always have the Thai king with them, for example, on a banknote. Similarly, in movies, the tribute to the king is played before each movie in the form of the Thai royal anthem, with you standing in front of the royal as a sign of respect. Keep in mind that insulting the king is considered illegal in Thailand, so the best way to avoid problems on this topic and not risk being brought before a Thai court is to pay respect to the crowned lady along with the locals.

A strange method of attracting money is practiced in Appalachian. It is believed here that the onion peel should not be thrown away. It must also be put in the broth, and this will contribute to profit.

AT China They believe that if a man puts on a green headdress, then his wife is cheating on him.

The origin of this custom is often hotly debated. Some believe that in ancient times, if a courtesan (geisha) had a husband, he was forced to wear a green hat. Others, on the contrary, believe that men using the services of women of the most ancient profession used to wear green hats during the Yuan Dynasty. However, the version that rings the most plausible is that when the phrase "green hat" is spoken in Chinese, it sounds remarkably similar to the Chinese word for "cuckold".

Another interesting Chinese superstition is that you should never give a watch as a gift to a friend. This, again, is due to similarities in pronunciation. Apparently "send watch" sounds remarkably similar to "Song Zhong", which is the name of a Chinese funeral ceremony. Indeed, avoiding all conventions must be quite exhausting!

Most of us know and acknowledge that black cats are widely and universally seen as a sign of impending bad luck. This attitude towards black purrs exists in cultures and communities around the globe, but what about the owl? So, if a black cat crosses your path, and an owl hoots outside your window at night, then you better take the next day off from work, as it is believed that this is a sign of an imminent injury, a catastrophic spat, or a terrible failure.

Another animal not loved in Egypt, as well as throughout the world, is rats. Many superstitions surround rats, associating these creatures with sickness and death. However, there is one positive sign, who believes that if a group of rats suddenly appears in the house, then the owners should come to a great fortune in the coming weeks. Sounds promising, doesn't it?

Many superstitions Spanish etiquette revolve around sex and love. The Spaniards believe that if you sweep at the feet of a person passing by, then he is doomed to never be found. true love. An incredibly deadly sentence for such a minor act! Another popular Spanish belief is that those who toast a vessel of water are doomed to seven years of bad sex. This superstition is found in many other places around the world in one form or another. This is believed to stem from the Greek custom of toasting water at funerals. Because of this, toasting with water is considered a wish for bad luck, or even death.

AT Japan sipping noodles is not only considered acceptable, but also actively encouraged.

Another part of Japanese etiquette concerns the appreciation of a gift. If a person receives a gift in Japan and tries to open it right away, it is considered very rude, as it shows a lack of appreciation for the time and effort of the giver in finding and wrapping the gift.

Regarding the Japanese gift, there is another sign: it is customary to give and receive a gift with both hands, as a sign of respect for this object.

With the above customs in mind, it is very important to research the customs and traditions of the country you are planning to visit before you set off. This will allow you to prevent such a tragic social slip!

In every culture of the world there are traditions that seem strange, unusual and even unacceptable to representatives of other cultures. For your judgment, a list of the most bizarre traditions that are observed in different countries peace.

Tooth filing, Bali, Indonesia

This Hindu religious ceremony is an important process in the transition from puberty to adulthood. The ritual for men and women must be performed before marriage, and sometimes it is included in the marriage ceremony. There is a tradition in cutting fangs. It is believed that this way a person is freed from all invisible evil forces, because teeth are a symbol of lust, greed, anger, confusion and jealousy.

Tidong wedding procession, Indonesia

The Tidong wedding procession is unique. Perhaps most charmingly, the groom is not allowed to see the bride's face until he sings a few love songs to her. But the strangest thing is that the bride and groom are not allowed to bathe for three days and nights after the wedding. Tidongi believe that in this way good luck will come to a young family, and quarrels, infidelity and death of newborn children do not threaten them. It’s impossible to lie and run away to wash: several people are watching the couple, who, moreover, allow only certain amounts of food and drinks to be eaten.

Circumcision of fingers, Dani tribes, Western New Guinea

The Dani people (or Ndani) are an indigenous tribe inhabiting fertile lands Baliem valley in the western part of the island New Guinea. Members of this tribe, in order to emphasize the depth of grief at funeral ceremonies, smear their faces with ashes and clay. But that's nothing. The second tradition is more terrible: when a person from a tribe dies, his relative cuts off his finger and buries the phalanx along with the corpse of a husband or wife, as a symbol of love. The finger represents the body and soul that will always live together with his/her spouse or relative. Some cut off their fingers until they are unable to do household chores effectively.

Lamentation of Muharram, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and several other countries

This tradition plays an important role among the Shiites and is held in the first month of the Muslim calendar, one of the four forbidden months. The event marks the anniversary of the Battle of the Iraqi city of Karbala, when Imam Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, and the Shia Imam, the successor of the prophet, were killed by Yazid I. The event reaches its climax on the morning of the tenth day - in Ashura. Groups of Shiite Muslims beat themselves with special chains with razors and knives attached. This tradition is practiced by all age groups; in some regions, parents force their children to take part in a bloody ceremony.

Ant-printed gloves, Mave people, Brazil

This is a very painful ritual that is practiced by the Mawe tribe of the Amazon, but without it the young man will not be considered an adult. When a boy reaches a certain age, he goes out into the jungle with a local medicine man and other boys of his age to find and collect the so-called bullet ants, which have a very strong sting and poison. This name is not accidental: the bite of this ant can be compared in terms of pain with a bullet wound! The ants are placed in a large woven mitten, and the boy must put it on and hold his hand there for about ten minutes. To take their minds off the pain, the boys start dancing ritual dance. However, in order to prove that the sufferer is a real man, he is ready to endure this pain 20 times longer.

Funeral rite of the Yanomamo people, Brazil and Venezuela

Ritual rites are very important for this tribe. When a member of the tribe dies, his body is burned, and the ashes are mixed into plantain soup, which is eaten by the family members of the deceased. It is believed that by eating the ashes of a dear person, relatives help the spirit to move into a new body. The body of the deceased must be completely burnt, because the representatives of the Yanomamo, the process of decay seems terrifying. Moreover, you need to burn the body as soon as possible, otherwise the soul can fly out of the body and pursue the living.

Ritual of Famadihan, Madagascar

The traditional festival is celebrated in urban and rural areas of the country, and is especially popular among tribal communities. it funerary tradition, known as "turning the bones", involves people bringing the bodies of their ancestors from the family crypts, wrapping them in fresh cloth, and then dancing with the corpses around the tomb under live music. The ritual is usually held once every seven years, and the whole family gathers for it. For Madagascarians, this is an occasion to pay homage to the dead. For the ceremony, the relatives of the deceased dress very smartly, sing traditional songs and dance.

Jumping over babies, Spain

In a small community in northern Spain, residents participate in the El Colacho ceremony, which literally translates to "the devil's jump." Babies are laid on mattresses on the ground, and people dressed in a devil costume scatter and jump over the babies, thus protecting them from all sorts of troubles in the future. This tradition is at least 4 centuries old.

Although for many years politicians and sociologists have been talking about the inevitable globalization and unity of cultures and civilizations, states the globe still retain their bright personality, originality and historical flavor. The customs of the peoples of the world are an integral part of this individuality, because in every country people look at the same phenomena through the prism own culture. The traveler will certainly need basic knowledge about the peculiarities of life abroad.

Canada

• Canadians adhere to strict rules of formal courtesy even when it comes to small gaffes. If you step on someone's foot or push another person, you should immediately apologize briefly. Although such behavior is also expected in Russia, in Canada even the "victim" apologizes. Therefore, if you accidentally stepped on your foot, do not neglect the politeness formula "I'm sorry" - this will show that you are an intelligent person who does not want to cause trouble to others (for example, stand in someone's way and "force" others to push you).
• Smoking is prohibited in public areas, including restaurants. Smoking at a party is only allowed if the host has given express permission to do so.
• Many customs of the peoples of the world dictate specific rules of conduct when meeting. In Quebec, for example, shaking a woman's hand (even if it's another woman's handshake) means establishing a certain detachment and showing that you're in a purely formal relationship. As a sign of friendliness, one should hug each other at a meeting and kiss lightly on both cheeks.
• In Canada, you must take off your shoes when visiting someone else's home.
• If you are offered coffee late in the evening at a party, it means that the hosts expect you to go home soon.

USA

• When talking with another person, it is advisable to look into his eyes - otherwise you will be considered secretive and unworthy of trust. This rule contrasts sharply with most other states, where eye contact is considered rude.
• Modern customs of the peoples of the world dictate respect for the service personnel. So, in an American restaurant, you should always leave a tip to the waiter - if you do not, your guests will feel extremely uncomfortable. Waiters are paid a lot of tips, so your guests will also feel embarrassed if you leave too little money on the table. Traditionally, visitors leave 15 percent of the order to the waiters; 10 percent is considered a complaint of poor service, and 20 percent is an award for satisfactory or excellent service. Tips above 20 percent are considered ostentatious generosity, but the waiter will no doubt be pleased.
• Tipping isn't just for restaurants - extra money is given to taxi drivers, hairdressers and stylists, food delivery couriers, and random handymen (even if you've hired neighborhood teens to mow your lawn). So, for pizza delivery they give from two to five dollars, regardless of the amount of the order.
• National - countries with the greatest diversity of cultures and peoples - provide due respect to all categories of the population. When meeting a new person, you should not ask him about his marital status or the presence of a romantic relationship, as well as about his political views. It is impolite to ask a woman her age or weight.
• Most traditions in America are based on the principle of mutual respect. It is impossible to violate the personal space of a person, that is, to be closer to him than at arm's length. Exceptions to the rule are being in a crowd or crush, as well as friendly relations.
• If you are invited to visit, bring a bottle of wine with you. You can also buy a cake or other sweets, but in this case it is advisable to find out in advance if the hosts have prepared a special dessert themselves.

Italy

• If you are interested in European customs, you can take a closer look at the traditions of Italy. An interesting fact: in this country it is not customary to take off coats and other outerwear immediately upon entering the premises. You need to wait for a special invitation or ask if you can leave your raincoat or jacket.
• You should not put hats on the bed, as there is an ominous superstition on this topic.
• When visiting stores, you should always greet the sellers, even if you just came to look at the goods and are not going to talk to the consultants.
• It is undesirable to ask for a check immediately after finishing dinner in a restaurant. It is better to spend a couple of minutes relaxing and enjoying the atmosphere and a cup of cappuccino.
• Men shouldn't wear socks white color in public, because, according to popular belief, only "mama's sons" do this.
• It is not recommended to bite off bread with your teeth. It is customary for Italians to tear off small pieces with their hands, put on them butter or pate, served in special segments in a separate dish, and in this form immediately put into the mouth. Do not use a knife or other cutlery. Such specific traditions of Italy originate in the Middle Ages, when the peasants, exhausted by hunger, having barely received bread from the masters for food, ate it right on the spot, stuffing their cheeks. Noble intelligent townspeople were always full, and therefore they were expected to have appropriate calm behavior.

Spain

• Unlike the customs of many European countries, the traditions of Spain for the most part based on the supremacy of local culture. Arguments about which country and which language is better should always be avoided, especially when comparing Spanish with English. The inhabitants of this state speak English relatively poorly and often require tourists to know their language. If you do not speak Spanish, it is better to try to explain yourself with gestures - local citizens will perceive such communication more favorably than the persistent use of English expressions.
• Some traditional themes Better not to discuss at all. These include fighting bulls (toro), religion, fascism and nationalism. Regarding the latter, even the Spaniards themselves still cannot come to an agreement.
• Always try to look calm and relaxed. You can talk loudly, gesticulate emotionally, joke with your hosts, and use forms of physical contact without any embarrassment.
• It is customary to say hello to all neighbors, even if you do not know them.
• When greeting, men shake hands, and women wait for kisses on both cheeks.
• Many Spanish traditions are associated with active sports. For example, even in practice stranger can invite you to watch together football match. If you received such an invitation, in no case do not criticize the team that the owner of the house is rooting for.

Ireland

• Ireland is a very distinctive state, in which even Christian holidays such as Easter and Palm Sunday. The customs of this country, however, partially reflect the practices adopted in Great Britain (although Ireland is a sovereign republic). You should not, however, publicly attribute this state to the United Kingdom - the natives will instantly be offended, since only part of the UK remains. Avoid talking about topics related to the sovereignty of the country.
• In bars and pubs, do not speak to the bartender until he has served the customer who came before you.
• If a guest comes to you, you must definitely offer him coffee or tea.
• It is not recommended to ask other people about their income and business success. Colleagues are not interested in salary. In some companies, such questions are officially prohibited.
• If people celebrate Easter or Palm Sunday, customs and religious rituals are best observed from the outside. In no case do not ask people what religion they adhere to - Catholicism or Protestantism.

Arab countries

• It is customary to perform personal hygiene rituals on the left hand - therefore it is considered dirty. Shaking hands with the left hand is considered an insult. There are also taken only right.
• Do not expose the soles of your feet or touch anyone with your shod foot.
• In Iraq, the "thumbs up" gesture is taken as a serious insult.
• The customs of the peoples of the world living in Arab countries dictate honor and respect for elders. This means standing up as soon as the elders enter the room and greet them first if they are already in the room.
• In most Arab countries, holding hands while walking is a sign of politeness and a symbol of friendship. Unlike Western states, here such a gesture does not carry any hints of romance.
• If a person puts all five fingers of his hand together and points upward with his fingertips, this means that he needs to meditate for five minutes. This sign should not be confused with a fist and threatening gestures.
• Greetings of the peoples of Africa are always associated with a demonstration of the sincerity of emotions. In Morocco, for example, after shaking hands, the right hand is placed over the heart. It is impossible to shake hands with each other (for example, if acquaintances are separated by a highway), it is enough just to put your right hand to your heart.
• Strangers you meet for the first time may invite you to lunch or dinner at their home. If such an invitation bothers you, do not refuse - refusal will be considered rude. Instead, ask to postpone the visit until an indefinite time in the near future.
• The traditions of the peoples of the Arab countries require plentiful treats, so do not be surprised if you are offered food endlessly at a party, over and over again. You can constantly refuse, but the main thing is not to take the persistence of the owners for a manifestation of tactlessness. It is better to eat little and take a little from the dishes offered in the first rounds, and only then refuse with a clear conscience.

China and Taiwan

• Eastern culture is very distinctive and diverse, so you should not mention in a conversation with Asians that for you the Chinese, Koreans, Thais and Japanese are "all the same." It's just impolite.
• You only need to eat with your right hand.
• Avoid using the American "thumbs up" gesture - here it is considered indecent.
• If you were invited to visit, and the hosts prepared lunch or dinner on their own, they will certainly report that something is wrong with the food - for example, that it is too salty. To such a remark, it should be answered that all the dishes are excellent and not at all oversalted.
• Interesting traditions are associated with the holidays. If you are given a gift, refuse it. It is customary for the Chinese to offer gifts several times. They should not be opened in the presence of the donor.
• Hats should not be given to married men. The Chinese expression "wearing a green hat" means that the wife is cheating on her husband. Such a gift will be regarded as an insult to the spouses.
• It is also impossible to give another person a watch - an ancient superstition that people adhere to even in modern world, says: such a donor counts the moments until the death of the donee. Umbrellas (a sign of parting) and white flowers (a ritual symbol of a funeral) should also not be presented as a gift.
• Traditions suggest that others will look after you when visiting. Therefore, you, in turn, will have to pour drinks into the glasses of your neighbors.
• Pregnant women should not attend funerals - this is a sign that promises misfortune.

India

• Eastern culture differs from Western culture in the priority of modesty over external beauties. Both men and women in India wear closed clothing. Shorts are highly undesirable for both sexes; women should not wear bikinis, short skirts and off-the-shoulder dresses. Plain white dresses and saris should also be avoided, as these garments are considered a symbol of widow's mourning.
• In most Indian homes, it is customary to take off your shoes in the hallway. Although the hosts may favor the ignorance of foreign guests, it is better to ask in advance if it is possible to enter the house without taking off your shoes.
• Unusual are associated with spiritual beliefs. If you accidentally touch another person with your feet or step on objects of veneration (coins, banknotes, books, paper, etc.), you will be expected to apologize. The generally accepted form of apology in this case is to touch the person or object with the right hand, which then needs to be placed on one's forehead.
• While you are visiting indian house, you will be offered food several times - you can safely refuse if you are already full.

The strangest national customs

• In Greece, it is customary to throw a child's lost baby tooth onto the roof - according to a common superstition, this action brings good luck.
• One of the peoples of Iran has a calendar of nineteen months, each of which has only nineteen days.
• In Sweden, gold and silver coins are placed inside the bride's elegant shoes at the wedding ceremony.
• At a traditional wedding in Norway, the bride wears a silver crown from which hang long amulets designed to ward off evil spirits.

For the New Year

• In Brazil on New Year be sure to prepare a bowl of lentil soup, as lentils are considered a symbol of prosperity.
• The traditional life and customs of Latvia at Christmas necessarily involve the preparation of stewed brown beans with pork and cabbage sauce.
• In the Netherlands, Santa Claus has a helper named Black Pete.
• On December 5th, Austria celebrates Krampus Night. This event is dedicated to Santa's evil twin brother.

Russia - multinational country. And we have peoples, very unusual, which are almost gone. Their traditions and language are on the verge of destruction, but they continue to exist. Someone has already moved to the cities and puts on National Costume only for the holidays, others still live in places that can only be reached by helicopter.

Abaza

According to the latest census, 43,341 representatives of this people live in Russia. Most of them live in 13 villages in Karachay-Cherkessia. Some move to neighboring republics and cities. The first mention of them can be found already in the 5th century BC by a Greek historian. They practice Islam.

In the second century they even had their own principality, but the people could not compete with powerful states and constantly fell under their influence. After the Russian-Caucasian war in the 19th century, they became part of Russia. The main occupation of this people is cattle breeding, since the mountainous lands are poorly cultivated. They also breed bees and make a sweet, intoxicating drink from honey. The swallow is considered a sacred bird that will save humanity. Now they live using many benefits of civilization.

Aleuts

Only 500 representatives of this people remained in Russia. But more than 15 thousand people live in Alaska. Initially, this indigenous people islands, which eventually dispersed to neighboring continents. They call themselves unangan". Now they live on the Commander Islands.

For the first time, this people encountered Russians in the 18th century. First, anthropologists went there, and then sailors. The Aleuts often clashed with them. Then the Aleuts fell under the influence of the Russian-American company, who tried to make money on the extraction of fur seals, and then on the extraction of gold. Aleuts were attracted to work. Russians and Americans married local girls.

Now the Aleuts get the fur of valuable animals, catch birds and fish, breed sled dogs and grow turnips, radishes and potatoes. Most likely, soon this people will finally assimilate with the Russians and other peoples, since the Aleut language is not taught in schools.

The population traditionally professed paganism: shamans connected people with the spirits of their ancestors and helped solve everyday problems. Also, due to the influence of Russians, Orthodoxy is popular here. Now the people enjoy the benefits of civilization and live in houses built for them Soviet power.

Besermyans

The Besermyans live in Udmurtia, but in fact they, like the Karelians, are Finno-Ugric peoples. Now the number of people fluctuates around 2 thousand people. Purely Besermian villages - 10. Besermian language - dialect Udmurt language, in which more oriental influences can be heard.
The religion of the people is a mixture of several beliefs. In the XVIII century. they adopted Orthodoxy, but retained traditional beliefs and Islam. A mullah was invited to the village every year to pray, it was considered necessary that he be present at the funeral; Mullah was given flour (groats) after the first pasture of cattle in the field. The cult of ancestors is developed, which is clearly manifested in funeral and memorial rituals.
Bessermen are engaged in agriculture. Now the remnants of the people are trying to preserve their traditions, celebrate national holidays. Somehow even Putin came to them.

Vepsians

According to official data, now there are a little more than 6 thousand Vepsians left. Most of them live in Karelia and the village of Sheltozero. Also lives in the Leningrad region.

Until the mid-1930s, the Veps lived in large families. All economic and ordinary life a large family was led by its head - the oldest man. His wife took care of the cattle, house, cooked food, weaved and sewed clothes. The Vepsians grew rye, barley, oats, peas, beans and a small amount of wheat and potatoes. Later they began to plant onions, swedes, radishes, cabbages, carrots, and potatoes.

An average household always had a horse, 2-3 cows, and sheep. Fishing, as well as picking mushrooms and berries had great importance. Man's occupation was the manufacture of various products from wood, birch bark, weaving from willow and spruce roots. They made wooden kitchen utensils, handicrafts - weaving mills, spinning wheels, hoops, etc. Wooden handicrafts were usually decorated with carvings. Women were engaged in weaving, sewing clothes and embroidery.

Koryaks

Now there are just over 8,000 Koryaks left. They know Russian, although they are trying to keep their languages. About three thousand speak local dialects. They profess Orthodoxy, but they also preserve shamanic traditions. A study of the village of Atargan indicates that the local Koryak tribes were familiar with the use of metal long before the arrival of the Russians, or rather, in the last century of the first millennium.

Surprisingly, the mythology of the Koryaks is almost the same as the mythology of the Indians. Pacific Ocean. Some religious events could be borrowed, but in general myths usually reflect the state of mind for a long time and even the most remote periods.

The similarity between the life of the Chukchi and the Koryaks is great, although, character traits Eskimos tend to disappear. Among the Koryaks and Kamchadals, the number of elements of similarity with the Eskimos gradually decreased, while the number of myths proving the opposite increased. Until now, most Koryaks live without any special amenities, adhering to traditions. Young people gradually leave for the cities and assimilate.

Nganasany

Nganasany - the most northern people Eurasia. Now there are less than a thousand left. They used to lead nomadic image life, but because of the Soviet power they switched to settled. To hunt wild deer, they had to go deep into the tundra. Women in the village sewing workshops and at home are engaged in dressing deer skins and sewing national shoes, souvenir rugs, handicrafts from deer skins, and sewing fur clothes for hunters.

Works of oral folk art know almost all men and women, regardless of age. The Nganasans do not have professional performers of folklore; all generally recognized storytellers are simple hunters, fishermen and reindeer herders. Traditions are told in the long evenings at the end of the working day or on vacation, there were no special national festivals at which the storytellers share their stories, like the already mentioned Yakuts or Kazakhs.

popular kaingeymekumi- competitions of two young people who, sitting on both sides of their chosen one, composed allegorical songs, competing in wit. The one who, not understanding the allegorical text of his opponent, was considered defeated and was obliged to give the winner some kind of metal decoration.

Photo: Russian Ethnographic Museum

Nivkhs

A small people who live in Russia and Japan. The first traces of his stay in these territories appeared 10 thousand years ago. Now the population is constantly falling, in the last census experts counted about 4 thousand people.

It is assumed that the peoples of Polynesia are related to the Nivkhs. It is believed that the earliest mention of the Nivkhs in history is the Chinese chronicles of the beginning of 600 AD. e. Contacts between Russians and Nivkhs began in the 17th century, when Cossack explorers visited the area.

The Nikhwi are mainly engaged in fishing. Religious beliefs The Nivkhs were based on animism and belief in the spirits that lived everywhere. Each bear was considered the son of the owner of the taiga. The Bear Festival was celebrated in January or February, depending on the clan. The bear was caught, raised and fed for several years in a paddock. During the celebration, the bear was dressed up in a special costume, taken home, treated from carved wooden dishes. After that, the beast was sacrificed by shooting from a bow. Food was placed near the head of the dead bear, "treating" it. Unlike other peoples of the Amur, the Nivkhs cremated the dead, burning them on a huge fire in the taiga under ritual lamentations, and in ancient times they practiced air burial. The deceased was hung on a tree and left there.

setu

A small Finno-Ugric people from the Pskov region. Only 200 people live in Russia, and about 10 thousand in neighboring Estonia. The origin of Seto is controversial among scholars. There is also an opinion according to which the Sets are the remnant of an ethnic group - once as independent as other Finno-Ugric peoples.

The Setos, unlike the Lutherans-Estonians, are Orthodox. For several centuries, having adopted the rites of Orthodoxy and observed them, the Setos did not have a translation of the Bible. The Russians who lived nearby did not consider the Setos to be full-fledged Christians, calling them "half-believers."

Seto house-building is characterized by the Pskov closed yard with high gates; later, two-chamber (and then multi-chamber) houses with a glazed veranda spread. Seto settlers brought this type of house to Siberia as well. Now the nationality is not much different from ordinary people.

Tofalars

They live on the territory of Tofalaria in the Irkutsk region. Today, Tofalars live mainly in three settlements organized by the Soviet authorities in the 1920s-1930s: Alygdzher, Verkhnyaya Gutara and Nerkha, where they were forcibly transferred to settled life and settled together with Russian-speaking settlers. The only way to get there is by helicopter and the only way to get in touch is by radio.

Starting from the end of the 17th century and until 1925 (before the beginning of cardinal changes in the life of the tofs), their number practically did not change and fluctuated between 400-500 people. Such a small number of individual people is amazing. Neither in the annals nor in the archival data are there any indications of any mass death. Apparently, the Russians had already found this people in a state close to the modern one, and their decrease in numbers occurred long before the conquest of Siberia.

The people were engaged in hunting and reindeer herding, led a semi-nomadic lifestyle. But because of the Soviet power, they had to leave the nomadic lifestyle. At the same time, technology appeared in the villages. Traditions were forgotten and only at the end of the last century they began to be restored.