Did you know that in some parts of the world, people celebrate and welcome the New Year with a weird and out-of-this-world act. Here are some of them.
Happy New Year from your TravelersToday family.
Feel the Fire Burning in Peru
If you decide to spend your New Year in Peru, be prepared to be on fire - literally or sort of.
Here is the chase: The country has a ritual they burn dolls representing their most hated public figure. The people throw these dolls onto a bonfire at midnight. This practice extends to other things like tyres and plastics.
Despite Peru's health ministry senior environmental official's plea not to practice such tradition this New Year, stores are still found to display dolls. The reason behind the official's prohibition is that 'the ritual put people at risk of lung damage because of the toxic smoke.'
Nonetheless, a ritual is a ritual, so they say. Guess what?
The most popular doll sold and displayed in stores is that of President Ollanta Humala and his wife Nadine Heredia.
The Lucky Lingerie in Latin America
With the hope of attracting good luck for specific areas in life, the Latin Americans hang in their undies and welcome the upcoming year.
The colour of the lingerie you should hand depends on what you want to flourish in the year to come. For instance, hanging red-coloured lingerie means you are wishing for love while going for the yellow colour means you want to attract good luck and fortune. White, on the other hand, is said to bring peace while the colour blue ushers in good health, wellness and tranquillity.
You can hang other colours of your choice, but never - ever - hang undies with the colour black.
Why? It will bring you bad luck for the whole next year.
Banging your bread in Ireland
Have you heard of a bread-banging tradition? Yes. It exists. The people in Ireland bang their breads on the walls and doors of their home on New Year's Eve. The reason behind this practice is that it is believed to chase out all the evil spirits.
So, here you go - three of the many weird traditions practiced in different countries around the globe.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
