Boxing, radish sculptures, spiders, wild cats and devils: These are the weirdest Christmas customs in the world
Aspasia Kakaris
In Brazil, Santa Claus arrives by helicopter at the Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro. In Australia he distributes gifts on the beaches. In Japan they wear his uniform and go to Kentucky Fried Chicken for fried chicken. Christmas and New Year are celebrated almost all over the world, with more or less Christian piety. And while the iconic figure of the white-haired old man bringing gifts may now be universal, there are other, less benevolent figures associated with the holidays in various parts of the world. From the cat that eats mischievous children in Iceland to the devil that parades through the streets of Jamaica, many strange customs compete in popularity with red caps and decorated Christmas trees.
Peru – Fists for Reconciliation
In Chumbivilca province, in the south of the country, the holidays are an opportunity for friends, colleagues, neighbors and siblings who have differences to settle them in a boxing match. Takanakuy, which in the Quechua dialect means “hitting each other”, is a tradition with roots in the 17th century that is still celebrated today by the natives every December 25th. The participants in this very special “festival” are usually men under 30, but also women. Those who are unable to compete can ask someone else to do so on their behalf. Before the fight they have to explain to the spectators why they are fighting and hug each other. Of course, there are rules and a referee. In the end, the loser is obliged to apologize and promise that the dispute is over. The celebration continues with traditional music and plenty of alcohol.
Ukraine – Spiders for good luck
In Ukrainian, Pavuk means spider and is the symbol of Christmas, which in this country, which follows the old calendar, is celebrated on January 7. According to popular tradition, then, spiders founded the world and saved Jesus from Herod by weaving a web to cover the entrance to the cave where the Virgin Mary took refuge with her son. Another version wants the custom to be inspired by a fairy tale, according to which spiders took pity on a poor family who had no ornaments for the tree and filled it with webs that turned into silver on Christmas Day. However, spiders are welcome in homes because they are believed to bring good luck, while killing them brings trouble. Ukrainians also make or buy spider-decorations for the Christmas table, which traditionally consists of 12 dishes – as many as the Apostles, but also the months of the year that is leaving.
Iceland – The bad cat and the good brothers
In this frozen country, the protagonists of the holidays are not cute, like Santa Claus, or wicked, like gnomes. According to a tradition that has its roots in the 17th century, a strange family descends from the mountains at Christmas time to punish naughty children and give gifts to obedient ones. It is about the family of the troll witch Gryla and her giant black cat Jólakötturinn – also known as the Yule Cat – who eats naughty children. Fortunately, the family also consists of the sons of Gryla and her lazy husband, Leppaludi, the so-called Yule Lads, who in the modern version of the myth are Santa's helpers. So these 13 sons go down to town one by one 13 days before Christmas and leave gifts in the shoes of the obedient children. As for the mischievous bombers, they might find some rotten potatoes in theirs!
Mexico – Radish “flavored” Holy Night
In Oaxaca, Mexico, farmers during the colonial period began to “sculpt” radishes to attract customers to the Christmas market held every year on December 23rd. They were so talented, however, that they began to compete with each other for the best sculpture. Somehow, in 1897 an official radish-sculpture competition was established, which now attracts hundreds of competitors and thousands of visitors. The “Night of Radishes” (Noche de Rabanos) takes place in the Plaza de la Constitución on the evening of December 23, with the traditional competition now enriched with arrangements of amaranth blossoms or corn leaves. In its context, a traditional meal of vegetables, fish and, of course, the necessary radishes is listed.
Jamaica – people and devils
Christmas in Jamaica is celebrated with many parties and festivals. But among the happy music, the colorful fruits and the rum cakes, the black devil jumps out, terrorizing the children and beyond. He is usually accompanied by a pot-bellied woman, the horsehead, the bullhead and the colorful Pitchy Patchy. It is the Junkanoo parade, rooted in the country's rich African heritage. Some say the holiday got its name from John Canoe, which was the European name of a warrior, tribal leader in Ghana in the 18th century. Others believe it comes from a mispronunciation of the French phrase “gens inconnu” – unknown people. Be that as it may, it is one of the oldest traditions of the island, which was also allowed to be celebrated by African slaves. In addition to the parade with the scary masquerades, the celebration has plenty of music with strange instruments such as cow horns, shells, graters, pitchforks, etc.
Greenland – Role Reversal
In the indigenous Inuit villages of Greenland, Christmas trees are usually wooden and decorated with moss. Houses are also decorated with bright stars in the windows, while traditional gifts are model sleds, sealskin gloves and slippers. The Christmas table usually includes Mattak, i.e. whale skin with a strip of fat said to taste like fresh coconut, and Kiviak,raw flesh of small birds that have been covered whole in sealskin for several months, until they reach in an advanced stage of decomposition. Also the Inuit, who have retained many of their traditions while adopting aspects of the Christian holiday over time, have a custom on Christmas Day of reversing traditional roles, with men caring for women.
