“For the night is dark and full of terrors…” – Game of Thrones
Over the past few months, we’ve shown you some of the fun and ‘lighter’ festivals and celebrations from different parts of the world. But this time, we want to flip the script in honor of one our favorite times of the year. Halloween.
Now we warn you, what we’re about to show you is not all costumes and candies. These festivals are not for the faint of heart. While there are plenty of creepy festivals that happen around the world, we’ve narrowed down the list to 5 of the darkest festivals in the world.
1. Famadihana – Madagascar
Famadihana, simply put, is a family reunion that happens every 5-7 years. Only you’re reuniting with dead family members. Popularly known as the turning of the bones , during this sacred ritual, living family members unearth their deceased relatives, peel off their burial garments and wrap them in fresh silk shrouds. It doesn’t end there, families celebrate with food and music and, yes, they even dance with the dead.
2. Thaipusam – Malaysia
This holy festival is a celebration of thanksgiving to the Hindu deity, Lord Subrmaniam. Devotees submit themselves to sacrificial acts like carrying a kavadi, a ceremonial offering, that is attached to their bodies by hooks and skewers. A simpler form of this act would be the piercing of tongues or cheeks. All to thank their deity for his blessings.
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3. Takanakuy – Peru
Now here’s a festival that brings “The Purge” to life. The Takanakuy, which literally means “to hit each other”, is an annual event that happens every… wait for it.. December 25. Every Christmas, the people of Cuzco, Peru set up a huge fight club and fist fight each other to settle conflicts or just to show off what you’re made of. That’s one way to handle Christmas family feuds…
4. Krampuslauf – Germany
Speaking of odd Christmas traditions, Germany’s Krampuslauf probably takes the cake. Krampuslauf, or The Krampus Walk, is a celebration to remember Santa’s evil twin, Krampus, and what he’ll do to you if you’re a naughty girl or boy. What does he do, you ask? Well, it is said that he pays a visit to all ill-mannered children, beats them with a bundle of birch sticks, whips them with horsehair, and throws then into a sack or wicker basket to take them down to Hell for a year. Creepy, right? We already have nightmares. No wonder German children are so well-behaved.
5. Day of the Dead – Mexico
Finally, we have the darkest of all festivals, the Mexican holiday of Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. This day coincides with the Catholic holidays of All Saint’s Day and All Soul’s Day. Mexicans take to the streets for a giant colorful fiesta to honor loved ones and ancestors who have passed away. It is said that the gates of heaven and hell open on those 2 days, allowing the dead spirits to roam the Earth. People build altars with offerings as gifts to the good spirits so they will protect their families the rest of the year and to appease the bad spirits so they will not haunt or curse anyone.
So there you have it. As dark and spooky as these celebrations are though, they celebrate history, culture and tradition, which is a wonderful thing! Know of other dark traditions you think should be on our list? Let us know and comment below.
Happy Halloween!
~ The Freedom Team
Featured image by: National Geographic
