The Christmas festival is about merry-making, church-attending, gift-giving and celebrations. It honors the birthday of Jesus Christ. Christmas is celebrated in several ways throughout the world. For some people in South Africa, Christmas festival is the best time to eat deep-fried Emperor Moth caterpillars. It is not clear why it is a tradition; however, several studies show that the grub is very nutritious. Here are some of the most unusual Christmas traditions from all over the world.
5. Parrandas
Cuban city Remedios is popular for its Christmas festival Las Parrandas. Parrandas started back in 1820 when a church priest sent groups of young people into the village banging on pans and pots to keep churchgoers awake for Christmas midnight mass.
4. Bavarian Mortars
4. Bavarian Mortars
Bavarian Highlanders shoot mortars into the winter air each year while dressed in traditional garbs to acknowledge the Christmas holidays.
3. Spider Webs
3. Spider Webs
In Ukraine, Christmas trees have an additional decoration. According to legend, a mom was so poor she could not pay for decorations for the Christmas tree. When the woman woke up on the morning of Christmas, she discovered that spiders had decorated the tree for her. Therefore, each Christmas people in Ukraine add spider webs to their trees.
2. Consoda
2. Consoda
In Portugal, during ‘consoda’, a Christmas morning feast, people will set extra places at the table for dead relatives. It is believed that this traditional practice will ensure great fortune for the family.
1. Transportation Modes
1. Transportation Modes
On the eve of Christmas, Santa may ride a reindeer sleigh over North America; however, during the night he often changes transportation modes. Santa Claus travels by a donkey in Switzerland, rides a horse in the Netherlands and rides a kangaroo in Australia.
