The world is a wide and weird place. Though you might have your own customs for dealing with the long, frosty embrace of winter, it is important to remember you are not alone. All over the planet, people have interesting ways of celebrating their winter rituals. Some of these events are a bit more commonplace than others. Holidays and events like Christmas, Chanukah, and the winter solstice are celebrated at the end of the year and usually get a good deal of attention in the media. Other events, however, are less publicized.
Examining some of the ways people around the world get through the winter can be inspiring. Take a moment to learn about some of these wild and wonderful traditions, and feel a little less strange in your own customs.
Hadaka Matsuri
Winter might not seem like the time to strip naked and run about the streets, but that’s the main idea of Hadaka Matsuri. Celebrated annually in Japan, this event is known globally as the “Naked Festival.” During this event, thousands of men of all ages will come together wearing nothing but a loincloth. They will race throughout the city streets wearing practically nothing, hoping to obtain one of the sacred sticks being tossed about by Shinto priests. Shintoism is one of the main religions of Japan, focusing on the “here and now” aspect of life.
The sticks being thrown by Shinto priests represent the new year and are said to bring great luck and fortune to the man who receives one. Though the competition varies depending on the region of Japan where it is taking place, several competitions involve the men having to race through icy water to get at the sticks. Hadaka Matsuri is usually a large celebration, with performances, food, and plenty of other events to keep people entertained. The exact date varies for the event, though it usually takes place in February.
Burn It Down
In Scotland, residents have another way of heating things up when the winter comes along. Actually, they quite literally make this happen by using a whole lot of fire. The Shetland Islands of Scotland are home to an annual event known as Up Helly Aa. Historically speaking, this region was home to a large number of Vikings over the course of time. The event itself stems from a mixture of Icelandic and Norse traditions that once took place during the winter. The biggest feature of the event is the burning down of a replica Viking ship.
The burning of the Viking longship is meant to symbolize a fresh start. The festival is normally held in February, which marks the beginning of the end of the winter. With the ship of the past burning on the water, the people of the festival are meant to look forward with a renewed sense of faith about life. The event is marked by parades, performances, and a great deal of celebrating with food, drink, and song.
Frozen Dead Guy Day
This event might seem too weird to be true. In the late 1980s, a Norwegian man named Bredo Morstoel died and his body was placed on ice and sent to California to be frozen via cryogenic treatment. After several years, Morstoel’s body was delivered to family members in Nederland, Colorado, who wished to preserve it until they could continue the cryogenic freezing process. When these family members were deported back to Norway over the years, the town was left with the frozen body. Eventually, the people of Nederland began an annual celebration to honor “Grandpa Morstoel” and appreciate life’s absurdity.
Getting through the winter can be a long and difficult journey. While you might have your own weird ways of surviving, you can be sure there are other people out there who have far stranger customs.