Welcome back to Top 10 Magazine, get ready for the ultimate guide to the most unusual festivals on the planet. From the La Tomatina in Spain to the Thipism in Malaysia and Singapore, we're counting down the Top 10 festivals that will make you question what you know about celebrations. Number 1. La Tomatina in Duneal, Spain This festival takes place annually on the last Wednesday of August and is a food fight festival where participants throw tomatoes at each other in the streets.
The festival is said to have originated in 1945 when a group of young men started throwing tomatoes during a local parade. La Tomatina is a festival where thousands of people gather in the small town of Duneal, Spain to participate in a massive tomato fight. The festival starts with the climbing of a greased pole to reach a ham at the top, and then the tomatoes are brought in by trucks and the fight begins.
The tomatoes used are overripe and are not intended to be used for consumption, but it's a good way to release stress and have fun. The festival has grown in popularity over the years and has become a major tourist attraction. Number 2. Boryong Mud Festival in South Korea This festival takes place annually in July and features mud-themed activities such as mudslides, mud pools, mud wrestling mud skiing, and mud king and queen contests.
The mud used at the festival is taken from the Boryong Mud Flats and is said to have cosmetic benefits. The festival began in 1998 as a way to promote the area's mud cosmetics. The mud used in the festival is sourced from the Boryong Mud Flats and is said to have health benefits, making it a popular destination for skincare enthusiasts.
Number 3. Up Helly AA in Scotland Up Helly AA is an annual festival that takes place in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Scotland, to mark the end of the yule season and the start of the new year. The festival is famous for its torchlet procession, where participants dressed in Viking costumes march through the streets and culminates in the burning of a Viking longship. The festival is said to have originated in the late 19th century and has become an important part of Shetland's cultural heritage.
Number 4. Hadakamatsuri in Japan This festival takes place at various times throughout the year at shrines across Japan and features participants wearing minimal clothing and competing in various events. Thousands of men wearing only traditional loincloths, known as fondoshi, participate in various events such as purification rituals and try to grab a sacred wooden stick known as shinotoko that is thrown into a crowd.
The most famous event is the Mikashi event, where participants try to grab a sacred wooden stick that is thrown into a crowd. The festival is said to have originated in the Edo period, 1603-1868, and is a celebration of purification and good luck. Number 5. Day of the Dead in Mexico, this festival takes place annually on November 1 and 2 and is a time for families to remember and honor their deceased loved ones with alters, food, and other offerings.
The festival is a blend of indigenous and Catholic beliefs and is said to have originated in pre-Columbian Mexico. If you want to hear more episodes like this one, make sure to hit that subscribe button and stay tuned for our upcoming content. Number 6. Holy in India, this festival takes place annually in March and celebrates the arrival of spring. Participants throw colored powder and water at each other, and there are also bonfires and special prayers.
People take to the streets to play with colored powder, water, and flowers and celebrate the arrival of spring. The festival is said to have originated in ancient India and is a celebration of good over evil, and the victory of Lord Vishnu over the demon king Hiraniakashiap. Number 7. Noche de los Rubanos in Mexico. Noche de los Rubanos is an annual festival that takes place in Oaxaca, Mexico on December 23.
It features a competition for the most elaborately carved radishes, with participants creating intricate designs and scenes using the radishes as their medium. The festival is said to have originated in the 19th century as a way to celebrate the radish harvest and has become a popular tourist attraction. Number 8. Monkey buffet festival in Thailand This festival takes place annually in November in Lopuri, a province known for its large population of macaque monkeys.
The festival features a large buffet of fruits and other foods for the monkeys to enjoy. The festival is said to have originated in the late 20th century as a way to boost tourism in the area. Number 9. Kanamuramatsuri in Japan, Kanamuramatsuri is an annual festival that takes place at the Kanayama Shrine in Kawasaki, Japan, and features participants carrying large phallic-shaped statues through the streets.
The festival is said to have originated in the 17th century and is a celebration of fertility and sexual health, and it's also a way to raise awareness and funds for HIV and other sexual health issues.
Number 10. Phytlism in Malaysia and Singapore, this festival takes place annually on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai, usually in January or February, and features participants carrying large cavatis or decorated structures on their shoulders as a form of penance and devotion to the Hindu deity Murugan. Some participants also perform acts of self-mortification, such as piercing their skin with skewers.
The festival is said to have originated in South India and is widely celebrated among the Tamil communities in Southeast Asia. We love creating content for our listeners and your support makes it all possible. So please like, share and subscribe to our podcast to help us keep going.