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Strange History

20 Bizarre European Traditions With Ancient Roots

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15. The Baby Jumping Festival (El Colacho, Spain)

15. The Baby Jumping Festival (El Colacho, Spain)
A man dressed as El Colacho leaps over rows of babies lying on mattresses during a vibrant Spanish festival. | Photo by Wikipedia

In the Spanish village of Castrillo de Murcia, the El Colacho festival sees men dressed as devils vaulting over rows of infants. This unusual ritual, which dates back to the 1600s, is believed to cleanse babies of original sin and protect them from evil. It’s a striking fusion of Catholic and ancient pagan traditions. BBC

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