The most bizarre rites of passage in different cultures

Ancient indigenous tribes from across the Americas had the habit of sending young aspiring warriors or rulers alone on missions to find the direction of their own lives and survive in the wild; These were rites of passage into adulthood. And they weren't the craziest. See some others:

Algonquin

Love fades, according to the tribe of the Algonquins. At least, it's the impression they give, considering that their rite of passage involves taking a drug called wysoccan, which erases all childhood memories.

Fulas

In West Africa, fawn women can only get married after they endure a painful face tattoo with a sharp piece of wood. If they cry or scream, the ritual is paused and will only be repeated in the future when they are ready.

Hamar

Young people are forced to go through a whipping wheel so that the scars always remind them of the pain they were able to endure through initiation. Then they jump over four grouped oxen to end the ritual. Ah, did we mention that they need to do this naked?

Okrika

It's time to get married, but first the Nigerian Okrira girls have to end their childhood affair with water spirits. For this, they spend days singing traditional songs for them.

Sparta

Once a year, Spartan youths at least 12 years old were required to participate in the Cryptia, a "war" against Hylota slaves, in which they used all the techniques they learned in agoge to capture and kill them.

Massai

Do you know that expression: "killing a lion a day"? Maybe this is the source. Each generation, future Masai warriors, who live in regions of Tanzania and Kenya, are circumcised and trained in camps. To be accepted as adults, they must deal with one of the jungle kings with only one sword.

Matis

This Brazilian tribe has a natural eye candy that is poison - literally! Only this substance improves vision during hunting. After this start they are beaten and whipped by members of their own group and must inject themselves with the kambô frog toxin.

Mentawai

Talk more about the culture of beauty ... Mentawai Islanders believe that if their souls become dissatisfied with how their bodies look, they die. This is why, when they reach puberty, young women sharpen their teeth to make them look better.

Vanuatu

A 30-meter wooden tower and a boy tied by his feet by a more elastic type of vine than usual. After training for several years, the young residents of the island of Pentecost in the Republic of Vanuatu jump to prove they are adults. The goal is to put your hair on the floor - but without dying, of course.

Sambia

At age 7, boys are separated from their mothers and forced to live in a men-only cabin for the next 10 years, during which time they go through all sorts of trials, such as forcing nosebleeds and vomiting, until are considered men.

Ticuna

Ticuna girls, at the time of menarche, are locked in a chamber, isolated from society; they are expected to find the underworld. After a while, they are released. Why not just menstruating, right?

Xhosa

Circumcision is part of the Xhosa ritual in South Africa; but they pass through it alone in a cabin in the woods, only leaving when they are healed.

***

Do you know the Mega Curioso newsletter? Weekly, we produce exclusive content for lovers of the biggest curiosities and bizarres of this big world! Register your email and do not miss this way to keep in touch!