- We just can’t get enough of the weird ways people celebrate the New Year.
When you start covering the strange traditions of the world, you always run into one problem. There are just too many of them.
We felt that our recent list about the world’s weird New Year’s traditions was a bit incomplete. That’s why we decided to do a sequel right away.
Here are six more unusual ways people around the globe will be welcoming 2022.
1) Ecuador — Burning Effigies
What better way to start a new year than by torching a good old effigy. The people of Ecuador at least think so.
At the end of every year, Ecuadorians build scarecrow-like effigies of notable people. The list of potential victims includes politicians, pop stars, and other celebrities.
Once the effigies, made out of sawdust, old clothes, and newspapers, are ready, the people happily set them on fire. The tradition is supposed to burn away all the bad things that happened in the previous year.
We’re not quite sure why the scarecrows need to resemble the hot names of the day, though.
This tradition supposedly started in the city of Guayaquil in the late 19th century. Hit by a yellow fever epidemic, the locals burnt coffins filled with the clothes of the sick to prevent the disease’s spread.
2) Scotland — First Footing
The Scottish tradition of first footing — or qualtagh — includes gift-giving. But instead of you having to buy gifts, you’re getting them.
In the first hours of the New Year, you can expect a stranger to come knocking on your door. The visitor, usually a man, will bring with him small gifts, like coins, salt, bread, or a swig of whiskey.
If the stranger has dark hair, you can expect good luck for the coming year. But if he’s blond, well… Prepare for the worst.
There’s actually a very good reason for the aversion for light hair. Ages ago, a blond knocking on a Scotsman’s door was probably an invading Viking.
And if you know anything about Vikings, that’s not a good way to start a year.
3) Romania — Animal Spirit Dance
Many age-old traditions are still alive and well in Romania. The New Year’s animal spirit dance is one of them.
This tradition dates back possibly more than a thousand years to pre-Christian pagan ceremonies. People will don furs and wooden masks depicting various animals, like goats, horses, or bears.
The festive folk will then dance from house to house. Their presence is supposed to drive off evil spirits so that the town can start the year with good luck.
If a bear dancer shows up at your house, that’s particularly good luck. According to Romanian folklore, bears bring with them good health, fortune, and wealth.
4) Idaho — Giant Potato Drop
The U.S. isn’t without its own fair share of weird New Year’s traditions. Idaho is well-known for its potatoes, so it’s only appropriate that their celebration features a ginormous spud.
In Boise, this recent tradition features lowering a 400-pound potato down to the ground. The GlowTato, as it’s called, is a resin recreation of the state’s famous taters.
Local artists go to great lengths to make the huge spud look and feel exactly like a real potato. But we still can’t help but be a little disappointed Boise doesn’t grow an actual monster potato for the celebration.
5) Spain — 12 Lucky Grapes
Spain, and some Latin American countries, are not famous for potatoes, but their wine. Like the people of Boise, they’ve incorporated their major agricultural produce into their New Year’s celebrations.
On the surface, there doesn’t seem to be much to the traditions. As the year changes, you just eat 12 grapes for good luck.
But here’s the kicker. You’re supposed to eat one grape every time the bell tolls at midnight.
It’s a real test to your ability to scarf down grapes. Apparently, the trick is to bite each grape in half and swallow the pieces before popping another grape into your mouth.
6) Global — Colorful Underwear
Did you know there’s a secret to ensuring you get what you want from the coming year? Well, it’s not really a well-kept secret because people all around the world have figured it out.
In various countries, including Italy, Turkey, Mexico, Brazil, and many others, people believe — seriously or not — that the underwear you wear as the year changes determines your luck in the coming year. The most important aspect is the color.
Red panties will bring you success in romantic endeavors. Those looking for wealth should wear yellow, while green brings good health and white peace and harmony.
In Turkey, people go so far as to gift each other red underwear for good luck on New Year’s. So don’t be surprised if a Turk hands you a pair of thongs at midnight.