From the depths of the Amazon to the heights of the Himalayas, our world is rich with varied cultures, each with its own unique traditions. Here are five such traditions that might seem bizarre to outsiders but hold special significance for the people who practice them.

1. Thaipusam Piercing Festival, Malaysia

Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated by the Tamil community in Malaysia. Devotees show their commitment to the deity Lord Murugan by piercing their bodies with hooks and skewers, while carrying heavy 'kavadi' up to the Batu Caves. [source]

2. Wife-Carrying Championship, Finland

In the small Finnish town of Sonkajärvi, couples compete in the annual Wife Carrying World Championships. The objective? Men must carry their wives (or any woman, really) through an obstacle course in the fastest time. [source]

3. Baby Jumping Festival, Spain

El Colacho, or the Baby Jumping Festival, is a tradition held annually in the village of Castrillo de Murcia, Spain. Men dressed as the devil jump over babies born during the previous year to cleanse them of original sin. [source]

4. Sky Burials, Tibet

In the Tibetan tradition, the dead are offered to vultures in what's known as a sky burial. The ritual stems from Buddhist teachings of generosity and the impermanence of life. [source]

5. Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling, England

In Gloucester, England, competitors chase a round of Double Gloucester cheese down a steep hill. The first person to cross the finish line at the bottom wins the cheese. It’s a tradition dating back hundreds of years. [source]

While some of these traditions may seem strange to outsiders, they offer a fascinating insight into the diverse cultures that make up our world.