Around The World In Ceremonies, Rites & Rituals

1. Which fiery Balinese tradition features giant demon statues paraded through the streets the night before Nyepi, the Day of Silence?

Bamboo kite flyingOgoh-Ogoh demon paradeRice animal processionFloating coconut lanterns

2. Every summer, people in a Spanish village fling what at each other until the streets run red?

WatermelonsTomatoesRed paintChorizo sausages

3. Why do some Italians chuck old furniture out their windows on New Year’s Eve?

To prank the neighboursTo make room for giftsTo literally toss out bad energyFor a city wide flea market

4. What are people in the UK actually doing when they race downhill after a wheel of cheese?

Competing for a year’s supply of cheddarReenacting an old farming mythChasing it—then usually wiping out spectacularlyHerding cheese-themed mascots

5. In the Greek town of Vrontados, two churches fire hundreds of what at each other every Easter?

Baked loavesHomemade rocketsSinging dovesOlive branches

6. Ever heard of Egypt’s moulid festivals? Why might you see a stuffed toy horse hanging on a boat?

To bring blessings from a local saintTo distract evil spiritsAs a secret fishing signalJust for fun

7. During Vietnamese New Year, why do people avoid sweeping the house on day one?

It’s believed to sweep away good luckTo let the ancestors restTo keep flowers on the floorIt’s considered noisy and rude

8. What did old Maldivian fishermen use to predict how their trip would go?

The way coconuts fell from treesMoonlight reflected in the seaPatterns made by cowrie shellsDreams about tuna

9. Why do some Cambodians toss sticky rice balls into empty fields during Pchum Ben?

It feeds wandering ancestor spiritsIt marks the end of the harvestIt’s a wish for rainKids compete to hit distant trees

10. What wild, ancient sport in Florence features no substitutions, barely any rules, and a lot of bruises?

Calcio StoricoKick of the KingsTuscan Wall BallThe Roman Roll

11. In Bali’s Mekotek ritual, what are the men actually doing when they slam tall wooden poles together?

Recreating a legendary battleSummoning rain for cropsChallenging rival villagesScaring off forest spirits

12. At a face-pulling competition in northern England, what’s the winner crowned for?

Looking like a startled goatMaking the ugliest possible faceScreaming with the most wrinklesKeeping a straight face while others pull theirs

13. On Greek Easter in Corfu, why do people launch clay pots from their balconies?

To make noise that wakes the spirit of springTo scare away the devilTo smash away the old and welcome the newBecause it’s fun and nobody stops them

14. What happens to wild horses during Spain’s Rapa das Bestas?

Locals braid their manes and release themThey’re painted with red clay and paradedPeople wrestle them to trim their manes and tag themKids ride them through the main square

15. During Cambodia’s Khmer New Year, why do younger people pour scented water on elders?

To cool them off during the heatAs a way to ask for forgiveness and blessingsIt’s part of a perfume-making ritualThey don’t, it’s elders who splash the kids