These ethnic communities practice certain traditions that will shock you. But it’s far from the only thing we do that’s a little odd to people from other parts of the world. Every Country has its own customs and traditions which depict the Manner of thinking and way of Living of the citizens. Here the groom is beaten by the older members of the community so as to earn a wife and respect. The whole community comes together around a fire for several hours or even an entire night, led by healers and elders. There are a lot of different tribes in Africa and it makes sense that we will see some people’s “weird” culture come up one way or another. They signify different aspects of life within the continent like achieving a new status on the social ladder or coming of age etc. A young boy has to strip naked, run, jump and land on the back of a bull. This group is known for its secretive society known as Nyau, and for covering their faces in masks. Like every other proud African nation, Uganda is rich in culture which are the characteristics that define its people, through religious, spiritual and belief systems, social habits, music and arts, language, marriage, and a million other aspects of Ugandan cultural practices. The Fulani tribes practise Sharo before getting married. Here are some of the most bizarre taboo rituals of Africa. Some of these strange customs still exist many years after civilization. During the burial ceremony of a tribe member, it is customary for the body of the deceased to be washed. The water is squeezed out of the body until it comes out clean. Another tradition directs the aunts to prove the potency by listening in or watching as the couple engages in sexual intercourse. That’s part of the reason why the custom is so well-known. The two families cannot even speak until negotiations are complete. There is nothing strange with the dance, but one thing is for sure, the whole night is not all about dancing. 25 American Traditions We Don't Know Are Weird Gallery These tribal traditions, however, have been left out. While the English man would say hello, spitting is a way of greeting. ALSO READ: Most fascinating wedding customs around the world. Other than flogging, the bride family can pick Koowgal, which is a dowry payment option or the Kabbal, an Islamic ceremony similar to marriage but in the absence of the bride and groom. These ethnic communities practice certain traditions that will leave you shocked. When a couple wants to get married, the aunt has to have sex with the groom as a “potency test” and furthermore, she has to test the bride’s virginity. Some of these customs still exist in the remote parts of the continent, many years after civilization. Of all the tribal traditions, this one is arguably the most magical. It’s a subgroup of the Fulani ethnic group. Copyright © The African Exponent. Log in or create an account to add articles to your saved articles list. The Chewa community is a Bantu tribe mostly found in Malawi. Nonetheless, spreading a feast for monkeys is definitely one of the top strange traditions around the world. The community is also known for their agricultural practices. You have successfully subscribed to receive our newsletter pulse.ng, Don't miss a thing, get the latest updates to fuel your conversation daily, Most fascinating wedding customs around the world. Sharo involves flogging. Submit your stories now via social or: Thank you! The Wodaabe's first marriage is arranged by their parents in infancy and must be between cousins of the same lineage. Africa has many practices some of which are known, and many others that are unknown to the world. Solve crosswords on The African Exponent. Africa has many practices some of which are known, and many others that are unknown to the world. They also indoctrinate their warriors known as ‘stick fighters’ by inflicting scars on them, the belief is that the more scars they have, the more attractive they are to female members of the tribe. Nowadays only a few tribes still practice this tradition regularly, primarily the Mursi and Surma people of Ethiopia. As much as we like to keep sex a hushed topic in Africa, there’s no doubt that a lot more people engage in it. In many African cultures, an aunt plays many roles among them being advising young nieces as they get through life stages including adolescence and marriage. If the man is not strong enough to bare the pain, the wedding is called off. 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It doesn’t matter if the woman is married or not, the man is allowed to keep her unless the woman refuses or her husband catches the man in the process of stealing the woman. The people of Surma tribe are found in southern Sudan as well as southwestern Ethiopia. In the Fulani community of Benin, men who are ready to start a family are not as lucky, especially if the bride side picks Sharo as the requirement for the marriage to sail through. Here are 20 traditions from across the world will make you go WTF. The Wodaabe ethnic group can be found in the northern parts of Nigeria, northeastern Cameroon, the western region of Central Africa Republic and southwestern Chad. The water is squeezed out of the body until it comes out clean. Eyewitness? Many young people from this tribe have succumbed to the flogging, accounting for why this is not a compulsory practice. Cultural practices refer to the manifestation of these numerous aspects. Are you impressed, have any concerns, or think we can improve this article? Africa possesses some of the strangest traditional practices, ranging from washing a corpse and using the collected water to prepare a meal for fellow community members. Maasai is a community in Kenya. Here are five tribes from across Africa with mouth dropping customs. In Uganda, one’s aunt is not only used to advise a new bride but they also have to have sex with the groom as a ‘potency test’. Furthermore, the Massai tribe is also famous for its drinking of fresh animal blood. If a man is able to steal away undetected (especially from a current husband who may not want to part with his wife), then they become socially recognized. Within the community, in order to be acknowledged and respected, a man is required to attain the ‘Moran’ status. Stealing each other's wives - Niger. Updated 3:51 AM ET, Mon December 5, 2016 . With around 250 ethnic groups, Nigeria has an extensive and diverse list of traditions and customs that Nigerians live by. Female friends of the ‘warrior’ to be are made to cover their whole body, head, and hair with ochre mixed with fat, then, they have to dance and get lashed by elders until they are sore in the name of loyalty to their friend. There was a time when this practice was quite common among many tribes throughout Africa and America. This is then followed by running across the backs of several bulls arranged in a straight and closely-knit herd of animals pulled by the tail and horns by older men. 5 Weird South African Cultural Practices Marrying Many Wives For Leaders The status of a man in Kwa-Zulu is determined by the number of cattle, goats, and wives he has. However, there are those countries that are known for their weird cultures. The first is their greeting, member of the tribes spit as a way of saying hello. … The healers dance around the fire, chant and hyperventilate until they induce a powerful trance-like state. 12 incredible African tribal traditions. In a world with so many countries, religions, tribes and customs, it is impossible for everyone to like everything. The practice is known as Hamar. Rituals are an integral part of the African culture. In the stillness of the night, men are also allowed to steal women from their tribe. That deep love of country and patriotism is just one American tradition that we citizens of the U.S. of A may not know is weird. Africa possesses some of the strangest traditional practices, ranging from washing a corpse and using the collected water to prepare a meal for fellow community members. Ghana is not an exception to this. Maasai warriors also spit in their hands before shaking the hand of an elder. June 13th, 2016. Massai Tribe of Kenya: A Massai man drinking blood. A young boy has to strip naked, run, jump and land on the back of a bull.