Curious Customs and Beliefs
Polio Cases Rise After Vaccination Scare, February 22, 2007, Guardian (Manchester)
Local Pakistani militants declare fatwa against polio workers—and they mean business.
Vanuatu Cargo Cult Marks 50 Years, February 19, 2007, BBC News
God, for Tanna islanders, is a mythical American named John Frum.
Children’s Foreheads Slashed In Muslim Saint’s Name, February 6, 2007, AP
Just one of the things Sunnis and Shiites fight about.
Saudi Court Orders Lashing, Jail For 20 Foreigners For Drinking, Dancing At Mixed Party, February 5, 2007, Fox News
Women to be flogged, too.
After 200 Years, Fight To End Slavery Goes On, February 1, 2007, Telegraph (London)
“Slavery is found in every region of the world”—Anti-Slavery International
Impotence Fears Hit Polio Drive, January 26, 2007, BBC News
In some areas, immunization teams have been attacked and beaten.
Women Sold As ‘Ghost Brides’ In China, January 25, 2007, itv.com
Valuable corpses.
Muslim Haj Pilgrims Perform Devil-Stoning Ritual, January 4, 2007, Reuters
Even Kuwaiti pilgrims prayed for the end of “main evil,” the United States.
Muslims ‘Refuse Anti-MRSA Gel’, January 2, 2007, The Sun (UK)
Muslim hospital visitors bring in infections; refuse to use disinfectant.
Fort Lauderdale Man Charged With Killing Father, Attacking Mother On Christmas Eve, December 26, 2006, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Haitian immigrant believed his mother was placing Voodoo curses on him.
Groups Offer Web Festival Sacrifice, December 19, 2006, Reuters
Pakistanis can now sacrifice cows, goats, sheep and camels by Internet.
Camel Sacrificed By Airport Staff, December 13, 2006, metro.co.uk
Some people would just have thrown a party. Or asked for bonuses.
From Iguanas To Armadillos, New York State Cracking Down On Mystery Meats, December 5, 2006, AP
It’s hard to change imigrants’ eating habits.
In Congo, Superstitions Breed Homeless Children, November 30, 2006, Christian Science Monitor
African families “throwing their children away.”
Africa Faces Growing Obesity Problem, November 30, 2006, AP
Being fat is seen as a sign of wealth, health and happiness.
Man Sentenced For Ant Abuse Punishment, November 22, 2006, AP
College business professor from Nigeria used punishments common in his native country.
Rape Case Roils Saudi Legal System, November 22, 2006, AP
Islam’s sharia law differs considerably from Western standards of justice.
South African Youths Risk Death On Ultimate Thrill Ride, November 17, 2006, Agence France Presse
How to get girls in Soweto.
Soft-Headed Swedes, November 15, 2006, AR Exclusive
Gov. minister wants all schoolgirls examined for signs of genital mutilation—even ethnic Swedes.
10 Days After Devil’s Night, Saginaw Still Burning, November 10, 2006, AP
Detroit tradition spreads.
Guinea Pig: It’s What’s for Dinner, November 6, 2006, Christian Science Monitor
US now a market for guinea-pig meat, courtesy of immigration.
Ethiopian’s Trial Focuses On Female Circumcision, November 1, 2006, AP
First US prosecution for increasingly common practice.
India Abolishes Husbands’ ‘Right’ To Rape Wife, October 27, 2006, The Independent
Seventy percent of Indian women believe they deserve a beating if dinner is late.
Staging Sex Myths To Save Zimbabwe’s Girls, October 26, 2006, BBC News
Witchdoctors in Zimbabwe tell patients sex with a virgin will cure AIDS.
Cambodian Woman Faces Sexual Assault Charge, October 16, 2006, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Cambodian immigrants have some unusual customs.
China Agonizes Over Leg-Stretching-By-Rack Surgery, October 11, 2006, Reuters
Height-conscious Chinese risk disfigurement from surgery to lengthen legs.
Clay As Delicacy And Danger, October 3, 2006, IPS
West Africans eat kaolin despite health risks.
Desecration Of Grave Linked To Religious Ritual, September 21, 2006, Tampa Tribune
Widow finds decapitated animals on her husband’s grave.
Hiring Of Psychic Haunts Bogota Official, September 20, 2006, AP
Colombia’s chief prosecutor gave “clairvoyant” unlimited access to staff.
Pakistan, U.K. Target Forced Marriages, August 30, 2006, AP
Thousands of British and American “nationals” are forced into marriages at young ages.
Britain Tackles ‘Crime Of Love’, July 26, 2006, IOL
Immigrants bring female genital mutilation to Western countries.
Black Magic Gets Bob’s Nod, July 26, 2006, Mail & Guardian
Zimbabwean professor believes people can fly using witchcraft; seeks patent.
No Honor, July 12, 2006, National Review Online
Brutal European murders that make headlines “may be the tip of a horrific iceberg.”
Witchcraft Ban Ends In Zimbabwe, July 5, 2006, BBC
Casting spells to injure others still against the law.
Saudi Man Convicted Of Sex Abuse, July 3, 2006, Denver Post
Defense claims charges based on “cultural differences” and “cynical Islamophobia.”
Pair Admit Enslaving Girl, 12, June 30, 2006, Los Angeles Times
Egyptian immigrant co-defendant’s excuse: “At that time we were new here.”
Horror of India’s Child Sacrifice, April 13, 2006, BBC News
Child sacrifice still practiced in some parts of India.
Voodoo Head Found in Air Luggage, February 13, 2006, BBC News
US customs finds macabre contraband in Haitian’s luggage.
Villagers Shun Man They Believe Is Dead, January 18, 2006, AP
Indian tries to convince his family he is not a ghost.
Diversity Is Strength! It’s Also … Cruelty To Animals, January 5, 2006, VDARE.com
Other cultures do not share the West’s kindness towards animals.
Holy Cows In A Small Town, December 30, 2005, WGRZ.com (Buffalo)
White Hindus will appeal ruling that required they remove holy cows from their yard.
Four Women Forced to Consume Human Excreta in Orissa, November 18, 2005, NewKerala.com (India)
How Indians punish witches.
Voodoo Practitioners Scatter After Katrina, October 31, 2005, AP
Destruction of New Orleans a heavy blow to Voodoo in America.
Indian Documentary Exposes Cannibalism Among Secret Hindu Sect, October 28, 2005, AP
Hindu ascetics eat corpses thrown into Ganges River.
Ghanaian Man Says Crimes Acceptable in his Culture, September 21, 2005, New Zealand Herald (Auckland)
He doesn’t think New Zealand should deport him for fraud and assault.
Illegals, Fairfax Wants To Aid Your Bladder Woes, September 15, 2005, Washington Times
Columnist notes the curious customs of Mexican immigrants.
A Niche in Ethnic Hitches, September 8, 2005, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia civic center hosts curious ethnic weddings.
No Toilet, No Seat, Says Minister, August 5, 2005, BBC News
Indian believes those who relieve themselves outdoors should not be village councillors.
Beauty and the Bleach, July 27, 2005, Los Angeles Times
Asian women are at pains to whiten their skin.
Pakistani Burns Wife and Daughter to Death, June 21, 2005, Independent Online (Cape Town, SA)
One of 4,000 honor killings in the past four years in rural Pakistan.