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15 Cultural Practices That Outsiders Couldn’t Understand

Shannon Quinn - June 28, 2025

Every culture is woven from unique traditions, rituals, and beliefs that often surprise those looking in from the outside. What might feel ordinary or even sacred within one society can appear utterly perplexing to someone unfamiliar with its roots.

These differences can spark curiosity—or confusion—highlighting just how powerful context and history are in shaping customs. To truly appreciate these practices, it’s essential to look beyond first impressions and seek the stories and values behind them. Understanding breeds respect and wonder.

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1. Foot Binding in China

For nearly a thousand years, foot binding was a symbol of beauty and status among Chinese women. Tiny, delicately shaped feet—known as “lotus feet”—were seen as the height of elegance and a pathway to favorable marriages. Outsiders found this practice bewildering and even horrifying, struggling to grasp the cultural ideals that made such pain desirable. The tradition, deeply rooted in social and aesthetic values, persisted for generations before finally being banned. Learn more from Smithsonian Magazine.

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2. Japanese Hikikomori

The term Hikikomori describes a growing phenomenon in Japan where people, often young men, withdraw entirely from society—sometimes for years. Many outsiders find it difficult to understand how someone could choose such extreme isolation. But in Japan, intense social pressures, expectations of success, and close-knit family structures all contribute to this behavior. The complexity of Hikikomori challenges stereotypes about Japanese society and highlights the need for empathy and deeper understanding. Explore more about Hikikomori at the BBC.

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3. Lip Plates of the Mursi Tribe

Among the Mursi women of Ethiopia, wearing large clay lip plates is a time-honored tradition. The size of the plate often reflects social status and is considered a mark of beauty and maturity. For many outsiders, the sight of these dramatic adornments can be startling or even uncomfortable, as the practice defies Western ideas of aesthetics. However, for the Mursi, the lip plate is a powerful symbol of cultural identity and pride. Discover more from National Geographic.

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4. Walking Backwards for Respect in China

In certain Chinese religious and traditional ceremonies, individuals demonstrate respect by walking backwards when leaving elders, temples, or sacred spaces. This symbolic gesture signifies humility and prevents turning one’s back on revered figures or holy places. To outsiders, this practice can appear unusual or even unsafe, as it defies conventional etiquette. Yet within its cultural context, walking backwards is a meaningful act of deference and reverence. Read more at South China Morning Post.

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5. Throwing Broken Dishes at Weddings in Germany (Polterabend)

At German weddings, the Polterabend tradition calls for guests to smash porcelain dishes before the celebration. This noisy ritual is meant to sweep away bad luck and wish the couple happiness. For many outsiders, especially those from cultures where breaking dishes symbolizes misfortune, the event can seem chaotic or even alarming. However, in Germany, it’s a joyful, communal act believed to strengthen the marriage by starting fresh—together. Learn more from Deutsche Welle.

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6. Yanomami Endocannibalism

Among the Yanomami people of the Amazon, a profound ritual involves consuming the ashes of deceased loved ones. This practice, known as endocannibalism, is a sacred act of remembrance and a way to keep the spirit of the departed close. Outsiders often react with shock or discomfort, focusing on the act itself instead of its spiritual significance. For the Yanomami, this tradition honors family bonds and the cycle of life and death. Read more from the BBC.

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7. Famadihana: Turning of the Bones in Madagascar

In Madagascar, the Famadihana or “Turning of the Bones” is a vibrant ceremony where families exhume ancestors’ remains, lovingly rewrap them, and celebrate with music and dance. This joyful event is meant to honor the dead, keeping their memory alive within the community. To those unaccustomed to ancestor worship, the idea of handling remains may seem unsettling or even macabre. Yet for the Malagasy, Famadihana is a powerful expression of love and familial connection. Learn more from The Guardian.

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8. Bullet Ant Glove Ritual in the Amazon

Among the Satere-Mawe people of the Amazon, a dramatic rite of passage challenges young boys to wear gloves woven with bullet ants. The ants’ sting is considered one of the most painful in the world, and enduring this agony marks their journey to manhood. Outsiders are often astonished by the sheer intensity of the ritual and the willingness to embrace pain for cultural identity and maturity. For the Satere-Mawe, this ordeal is a badge of honor. Read more from National Geographic.

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9. Yulin Dog Meat Festival in China

Each year in Yulin, China, the Dog Meat Festival draws attention for its tradition of consuming dog meat as a seasonal delicacy. While locals view the event as part of their culinary heritage, global audiences often react with outrage and disbelief, citing animal rights concerns. This stark cultural divide has sparked heated debates about ethics, tradition, and modernization. The festival remains a powerful example of how food customs can provoke passionate responses across cultures. Read more at CNN.

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10. Self-Flagellation During Ashura

Every year, many Shi’a Muslims commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein during Ashura by engaging in rituals of self-flagellation. Participants use chains or blades to express their intense grief and solidarity with Hussein’s suffering. For outsiders, the sight of public self-inflicted pain can be deeply shocking or misunderstood as unnecessary extremity. Yet, within the faith, these acts are profound demonstrations of devotion, sacrifice, and communal mourning. Discover more at Al Jazeera.

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11. Crying Marriages in China (Zuo Tang)

Among the Tujia ethnic group in China, brides participate in the unique Zuo Tang tradition: crying every day for a month before their wedding. Far from a sign of sorrow, these ritual tears express joy, gratitude, and respect for family. Outsiders, unfamiliar with the cultural context, often interpret the weeping as reluctance or sadness about the marriage. Yet, for the Tujia, this emotional display is an honored and hopeful celebration of new beginnings. Read more at China Daily.

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12. La Tomatina Festival in Spain

Every August, the streets of Buñol, Spain, erupt in a vivid frenzy during La Tomatina, where thousands gleefully pelt each other with ripe tomatoes. This exuberant food fight baffles many visitors, who often wonder about the festival’s origins and deeper purpose. Despite its playful chaos, La Tomatina has become a cherished local tradition and a magnet for global revelers. For outsiders, the meaning may remain elusive, but for locals, it’s a spirited celebration of fun and community. Discover more at the BBC.

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13. Neck Rings of the Kayan People

Among the Kayan women of Myanmar and Thailand, wearing brass neck rings is a striking cultural tradition. Over the years, the rings gradually elongate the neck, symbolizing beauty and identity within the community. Outsiders are often both fascinated and puzzled by this visual transformation, sometimes misinterpreting it as harmful or restrictive. For the Kayan, however, the rings are a cherished marker of heritage and pride. Read more at Smithsonian Magazine.

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14. Potlatch Ceremonies of Indigenous Peoples of the Pacific Northwest

The Potlatch is a grand ceremonial tradition among Indigenous groups of the Pacific Northwest, centered around the giving of lavish gifts and feasts. Here, social status and honor are built through acts of generosity rather than wealth accumulation. When Europeans first encountered the Potlatch, they struggled to comprehend why anyone would willingly give away valuable possessions. For the host communities, however, the ceremony is a profound celebration of community, leadership, and reciprocity. Learn more at The Canadian Encyclopedia.

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15. Walking on Fire in Fiji

In Fiji, the dramatic firewalking ceremony sees participants stride barefoot across scorching hot stones—a test of spiritual power and ancestral connection. This ritual, rooted in the traditions of the Sawau people, is performed with deep reverence and communal pride. Outsiders often watch in amazement, unable to fathom how such a feat is possible or why it holds such importance. For Fijians, firewalking is a living link to their heritage, faith, and the strength of their ancestors. Read more at the BBC.

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Conclusion

Exploring these remarkable cultural practices reveals just how diverse and fascinating our world truly is. What may seem perplexing or extreme from afar often holds deep meaning and value within its context. By approaching unfamiliar traditions with curiosity and respect instead of judgment, we open ourselves to new perspectives and lessons. Let’s celebrate cultural diversity and seek understanding—it’s this spirit of openness that enriches our global community and deepens our shared humanity.

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