More Strange Festivals From Around The World
About a year ago we wrote about strange celebrations from around the world. Now it’s time to add to that list.
Camel Wrestling
I’ve always been fascinated by camels - they have a certain sort of lumpen elegance and the fact that they can survive in harsh conditions makes them worthy of respect. However, I certainly wouldn’t want to wrestle one. But that’s just what happens in the Aegean region of Turkey. It seems the camels spend a lot of time pushing and shoving before heading for the crowd, which is when it gets really exciting. I’d certainly pick up my heels to avoid a ton of overexcited camel, wouldn’t you?
UFO Festival
Cue the Twilight Zone music for the annual UFO festival in Roswell, New Mexico. The site of an alleged flying saucer crash in the 1940s, the town has since had a reputation for the weird and wonderful. The Alien Animal Pet Costume Contest is a particular highlight. This is a great place to dust off those theories about life on other planets.
Gotmar
All’s fair in love they say, but the annual Gotmar festival held on the banks of the River Jam on Madhya Pradesh is one of the strangest memorials I’ve ever come across. Supposedly it commemorates a failed elopement of a young man and his beloved when villagers from their respective villagers threw stones at them, causing their deaths. Injuries are still rife at the annual reenactment.
Tunarama
How far could you toss a tuna? Find out at Tunarama, held in Port Lincoln, South Australia. This festival, which pays homage to one of the region’s major industries, is now in its 49th year. As well as the tuna toss, there are cultural events, activities, stalls and other competitions.
Grannies Rule, OK?
First held in 1992, the Grandmother’s Festival, held in Bodo, Norway, near the Arctic Circle, is the perfect place for go-getting grannies. Attended by grandmothers from around the world, the event shatters the stereotype of old ladies knitting in a rocking chair. Over the years, participants have ridden motor bikes, gone scuba diving and bungee jumped.
Tags: Attractions, celebrations, festivals, travel
July 14th, 2009 at 9:37 am
We have a festival in Perdido Key FL similar to the Tunarama! It’s called the Mullet Toss and it’s always around April every year. The event brings in a lot of people and it takes place at the best local spot in town called the Flora Bama. You have to come check it out, it’s so much fun!
July 29th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Don’t forget oil wrestling, another Turkish pastime.
July 30th, 2009 at 7:18 am
Oil wrestling? Don’t you just love the variety of travel?
July 30th, 2009 at 7:45 am
The festival is in Edirne, Turkey every summer. So much variety around the world. Great list.