Embark on a cultural trip around the world through these amazing photos
I don't know about you, but I just love to travel. This is one of my favorite things to do in life, and one of the things that most appeals to me is the possibility of glimpsing, even briefly, other cultures. For the fascinating selection of images you'll see below - gathered from a list shared by National Geographic's Rachel Brown - show a bit of other peoples' curious customs, and it's impossible to see the photos and not want to throw a backpack in the back and fall into this beautiful world we live in. Check out:
1 - Spain
Knights photographed during the celebration of the Romería del Rocío, a procession that takes place every year in the province of Huelva, which is in the south of the country.
2 - Romania
In the photo we see a newly baptized baby being bathed by his mother's grandparents and family members in a ritual that aims to ensure the child a long, prosperous, happy life, full of health and wisdom.
3 - Israel
The image above was captured in Jerusalem and shows a rabbi blessing a 13-year-old boy during his bar mitzvah, in which the boy takes on the responsibilities of a Jewish man.
4 - Philippines
The portrait shows hundreds of Catholics gathered during a festival called Mahal na Senyor, a procession in which they carry an image of Jesus Christ killed on the streets to celebrate Good Friday.
5 - Japan
Men in a Buddhist temple in Fukushima, Japan, portrayed during a ritual in which they first clean their bodies with cold water and then climb a rope to the ceiling. On this occasion of the photo, the ceremony, which serves as a kind of prayer, was intended to ask that the region - hard hit by the 2011 tsunami - continue to recover.
6 - China
See what a most interesting contrast! Every morning, hundreds of Shanghai people gather here in front of skyscrapers and superurban scenery to practice traditional taiji - or tai chi.
7 - India
In the portrait we see some people during a Buddhist pilgrimage known as Gochak, during which men and women pray for the peace and prosperity of all mankind. At this celebration, pilgrims travel a distance of more than 90 kilometers over 2 weeks and prostrate themselves with each leg of the journey.
8 - Swaziland
The festivity of the photo is called Umhlanga - and is a celebration where Zulu women and girls gather in Mbabane to honor Swaziland's monarchs by bringing bamboo to repair the royal house. In fact, it is common for the King to choose a new wife from the young women who attend the meeting.
9 - Italy
Photo taken at a party that takes place every August in the city of Pozzuoli where men should gather as many flags as possible. However, the task is not as easy as it sounds as they are placed on tallow sticks suspended over the sea.
10 - Vietnam
Men vie for possession of a wooden ball in the mud during a festival of hundreds of years of tradition that recreates a battle of Vietnamese soldiers serving the local protective gods.
11 - North Korea
The portrait shows about 120, 000 people performing elaborate choreographies during the Arirang Festival of Great Masses and Artistic and Gymnastic Performances - or simply Arirang Festival - held annually in Pyongyang.
12 - India
The above ritual, called Mundan, is one of the most commonly practiced traditions by Hindus after the death of a relative. It involves shaving the hair and symbolizes the purification of body and soul before the person performing the ceremony can assume the responsibilities left by the deceased.
13 - Laos
Known as Bun Bang Fai, the photo festival takes place every year in Vang Vieng and during the celebrations, the population launches homemade rockets with the aim of marking the arrival of the rainy season.
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