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.
