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CURIOUS CUSTOMS and BIZARRE BELIEFS Around the World, by Wesley M. Wilson, BS, MBA, JD
CURIOUS CUSTOMS and BIZARRE BELIEFS Around the World
by Wesley M. Wilson, BS, MBA, JD
ISBN: 0-89716-865-8, Paperback, 6 X 9 inches, 253 pages including Index, Table of Contents and Introduction, 6 X 9 inches (15 X 22.5 cm)
Price, $15.95 + $2 postage and handling in the USA
Published in 1999 by Peanut Butter Publishing, 2207 Fairview Ave. E. #4, Seattle, WA 98102,Tel. 206-860-4900, FAX 206-709-0360, e-mail: pnutpub@aol.com
To order books:
- www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/browse/-/books/
- www.seekbooks.com
- www.bn.com
- www.powell.com,
- Or any bookstore. (Bookstores: Baker & Taylor, or wholesalers)
- From the author, checks only, e-mail, wesley.wilson113@comcast.net
"Fascinating," and “I really enjoyed the book,” were typical comments of talk show hosts from coast to coast. The author appeared on some 130 radio talk shows to discuss the book soon after its publication, although he was traveling outside of the US and unavailable for much of the time. The author wrote a detailed daily journal during travels in more than 160 countries for more than 55 years. Always curious as to how people in other cultures live and what they believe, he travels with an open mind. He speaks five languages and is not limited to English.
Some talk show hosts were most interested in places where local people are almost nude, or where sex is free and easy. Many traditional people substitute tattoos or body paint for clothes. Other talk show hosts asked many questions about former cannibals or headhunters the author interviewed. The power of shamans, witch doctors, diviners, fortune tellers, voodoo, sorcerers, the evil eye, and how to protect oneself against harm, were the main subjects of many interviews. Beliefs about the spirit or soul of each person, and what happens to it when we sleep, are sick, or die, plus attitudes about death, funerals, and reincarnation, were the subject of many of the author’s talk shows. Festivals and dances honoring the planting or harvest, or hunters and fishers, are similar in many parts of the world, they tell us a lot about a culture.
Other hosts were more curious about coming of age or initiation ceremonies, for youths and girls. Why do men and youths live separate from women and children? How do youths and girls find a mate? What does a matchmaker do? Where is the date of birth important in selecting a mate? How is the bride price or dowry determined? What are wedding ceremonies like around the world? How do matrilineal societies function, where women are the boss? The author analyzes the attitude of a wife when her husband takes a 2nd, 3rd, or additional wife. Where must a woman be a virgin to marry? Where must she have had at least one child, to prove that she is fertile? Where are twins considered to be good luck or bad luck? What is it really like to live in a one-room round or oval hut? To live in a traditional village, where the chief and elders make the decisions, and everyone must follow customs and traditions? Where is privacy almost unknown? Why do women and girls spend most of their time gathering fuel or water, with no time for school? How are traditional foods gathered and prepared for eating? What ceremonies are used to end a drought?
World travelers are interested in do’s and don’ts in various cultures. Why do perhaps a billion people eat only with the right hand? How do we greet or say goodbye to people in other countries? When should we give a gift, and how should we present it? When relaxing, where do people sit on the floor, the back straight, legs folded underneath? Why must we avoid pointing toes at anyone or showing the soles of our feet? Where do people choose to sit on their heels, hip off the ground, the feet flat, for hours? When carrying things, where do men and women put the load on top of the head, or in a shoulder sling, or on the back with a trump strap, or carry with a shoulder pole? Where is it considered to be harmful to stare at anyone? Why do they avoid looking at others in the eye? Why don’t they stand when an important person enters a room? Why do they boldly walk in when they are late to enter a meeting, rather than sneak in quietly? Why are many traditional people afraid of a camera, while others like to have their photo taken? Where must we be punctual for a meeting, and where does time have little meaning? How do others negotiate a business contract, settle a dispute, or discipline a thief? Where is taking something without permission considered to be borrowing, not stealing? Where are business or calling cards necessary? Where do particular colors or numbers mean good luck or bad luck? Why are only first names, nicknames, or only last names used in many cultures? Why are new babies not given a name? Why are real names kept a secret? Where does the position in the family, such as oldest son or youngest daughter, determine the name?
ong interested in spiritual beliefs, history, and the origin of organized religions, the author tells us about aspects of Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and other religions that few people know. He is also interested in traditional and alternative medicine around the world, and how particular local herbs or parts of wild creatures are used to cure. He compares expensive health care in the US with lower-cost health care in most European countries, plus many other countries.
Warning, once you start reading this book, you won’t want to stop!
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DESCRIPTION OF CURIOUS CUSTOMS AND BIZARRE BELIEFS AROUND THE WORLD
Based upon detailed daily journal notes written by an inquisitive traveler in some 147 countries, this book describes in fascinating detail people and how they live, common beliefs about death and the supernatural, religions around the world, and health care plans, native healers, and attitudes about disease.
PART I--PEOPLE AND HOW THEY LIVE:
Chapter 1 tells us how girls and youths flirt, meet a potential spouse, the bride-price, dowry, and coming-of-age customs. Males and females sometimes have a circumcision ceremony. How do they find a partner? Who is eligible, who is taboo? Which birth sign and blood type should a spouse have? How do they choose the day of the wedding, under all of the "signs?" The author then describes wedding ceremonies around the world.
Chapter 2 tells us where men and youths live separate from women and young children, fertility symbols, aphrodisiacs, what women do when they want to become pregnant, the close family in some cultures, beliefs about how to have a healthy baby, rights of women, what it is like when a man has several wives, and matrilineal societies where women are the boss.
Chapter 3 describes traditional housing, geomancers, the cooking fire and lights for the dark, methods of cooling, totem poles, boats and carvings, what is "borrowing" and what is stealing, sleeping customs, dealing with insects, the hunt by women and girls for fuel and water, toilets and substitutes for toilet paper.
Chapter 4 describes life on farms everywhere, the author grew up on farms in the US. Village life develops a feeling of security but also stifles dissent and non-conformity. We browse in fascinating markets, and look at tax plans and schools. We ride local three and four-wheel taxis, little buses, and fascinating trains.
Chapter 5 describes strange foods and methods of cooking it, often underground or in big above-ground masonry ovens. Some people eat with forks and spoons, others with chopsticks or with the right hand. Why do they use only the right hand? We look at how to catch fish, who uses strong spices, and strange methods used to preserve food without refrigeration. Some delicious wholesome food is taboo, in other places it is common. Who, until recently, ate "long pig"-- human bodies? Why? We look at various homemade alcoholic drinks, plus tea, coffee, maté, relaxing kava, and stimulating coca tea. We try betel nuts, and look at tobacco, opium, other drugs, and methods used to discourage their use.
Chapter 6 tells us where being fat or thin is the ideal, what people do to appear more attractive, where men wear a "gown" over trousers, where they wear only a penis shield, where women are often topless or nude, and tattoos or body colors as a substitute for clothes. We look at clothes as a status symbol, baths, perfume, and jewelry. We take a good look at nudity and attitudes about sex and sexual practices.
Chapter 7 describes the meaning of folk dances and folk music, how some people when resting squat on their heels, others sit with legs crossed, others stand on one leg. How do they say "yes" or "no?" Why is carrying things on the head so common, while others use a trump line or shoulder pole? How do they greet friends and strangers, of both sexes? Where do we shake hands, where and how do we bow without touching? Where do we kiss others on the cheeks(s)? How do they say "goodbye?" Why are compliments often unwelcome? Why doesn't a person entering a meeting stoop low? Where must a woman always be lower than a man? What procedure is used when we buy anything? How do we present a gift? Where can we improve our social status by giving away more? What is a potlatch? A pilou dance? Where must we use a formal title and only the last name? Where are only first names used? Why is the real name kept a secret, for babies and adults? Where does the family’s social position and the child’s position in the family automatically determine the child’s name?
Chapter 8 tells us how to handle beggars and requests for baksheesh, taboos when taking photos, and methods used to end a drought, stop the rain, or appease a volcano.
Chapter 9 describes where people have discipline and "good" manners, forming queues, where others crowd ahead, common traits of national groups, how petty crime is handled, attitudes toward noise and privacy, problems caused by the exploding world population, and famous battles and peacemaking. Why are business cards important? Why are some peoples punctual, while others pay little attention to the time, or even the day of the week? Where is innovation in business rewarded, and where is it discouraged? Why are the details of a business contract often ignored in other cultures? Why does the US have more people living in poverty, lower total labor costs, and less vacation time than most industrial countries? Why is the US the only industrial country not using the metric system? Why do Europeans, Asians, and others consider the US to be full of "gun nuts?" What have other countries done to reform election campaigns? Why are many calendars still used in the world? What are common holidays? Where is a baby born only a week ago considered to be more than nine months old, or two years old? Where does the day of the week a baby is born affect its entire life?
PART II, BELIEFS:
Chapter 10 tells how survivors mourn a death, why some burials are simple and others are elaborate, how survivors are protected from the spirit/ghost of the dead, finding what/who caused a death, types of sacrifices, and why a body of a friend or enemy was/is eaten.
Chapter 11 summarizes legends used to guide behavior, often using a porpoise, animal, dwarf, bogeyman, or witch. Beliefs in trolls, elves, and leprechauns are discussed.
Chapter 12 describes in detail beliefs around the world about spirits, good and bad, and the soul, of humans, animals, and plants. Does the soul leave when we sleep, are sick, or die? How can a shaman help us get it back? Many people believe the spirits must be treated well, with food and treats, or survivors will suffer. How do traditional societies in Africa, the Pacific, and elsewhere, honor the spirits? Does a statue in honor of a god or goddess have mana or power? How is a powerful animal or tree honored? What did former headhunters and cannibals tell the author? What do primitive people do to prevent a person's spirit from leaving the body? Why are babies often given an obnoxious name, changed as a child gets older? What are some of the planting and harvest customs used in Europe, Asia, and elsewhere? What is the evil eye? How is it controlled? Why must we avoid staring at anyone in most countries? What are common superstitions? What does a shaman, sorcerer, diviner, wizard, or witch do? Are some good, some evil? Who were some famous prophets? How did beliefs about dragons begin?
Chapter 13. Why do many Asians believe so strongly in luck? What brings good luck? Which colors mean good or bad luck in various countries? Which numbers? Why are the numbers 7 and 40 often used as symbols?
PART III, RELIGIONS:
Chapter 14 summarizes some of the many beliefs about how earth, the sun, moon, stars, man, and animals were created. A virgin is and long has been important in many cultures. The author summarizes early religions. Christianity adopted many of their beliefs and practices. We look at Christianity as it developed and how it has been practiced around the world, and its present variations. We also look at Buddhism, Shinto, Hinduism, and Islam.
PART IV, HEALTH CARE:
Chapter 15 discusses health care plans around the world, and why all other countries pay much less than the usA for health care, often as good or better health care. The author describes his observations of native healers in several countries, and how believers of a particular religion are sometimes cured. He describes how herbal medicines are found and used, acupuncture and other traditional medicine in China and elsewhere, and attitudes about disease and plagues. Do some people have special abilities to diagnose and cure disease or other ailments? What ceremonies do traditional societies use to drive away the demons of disease?
THIS BOOK WILL HELP YOU ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS:
Q. Is there still cannibalism and headhunting?
A. Yes, on some Pacific islands, in Irian Jaya, plus Borneo’s Dyaks. The Dyaks get the heads of immigrants from Madura. There may still be headhunting along the Amazon.
Q. Why is there cannibalism and headhunting?
A. To preserve the memory and spirit of a relative or friend, or to get the strength of a warrior, or to get revenge and insult the victim and his friends.
Q. Where are topless women or complete nudity readily accepted?
A. Topless--France, Germany, Scandinavia, Italy, Eastern Europe, Australia, especially on the beaches, Pacific islands, much of West and Central Africa
Nudity--isolated Pacific islands or traditional villages, Amazon, beach resorts and parks in Europe, Australia, part of Canada and the US
Q. What are the reasons for coming-of-age ceremonies for youths or girls?
A. To teach them the rituals and customs of the tribe, to let other villagers know that the boy/girl is approaching marriageable age
Q. How do women react when their husband takes a 2nd wife?
A. Many don’t like it. But each wife has own house/garden, the husband has his. Men among Ghana’s Ashanti must change the sheets for each wife. A 2nd or additional wives may help other wives with work and child care.
Maria, a pretty young mother in Papua New Guinea said it was okay when her husband came home with a 2nd wife. Maria said “she does whatever I tell her to do. When he came home drunk one night one night and starting beating the new wife, she said “You hold him, I’ll beat the hell out of him.”
Q. Where are women the boss of the family?
A. In matrilineal societies--the Mosuo in the Lugu Lake area, Yunnan, China, have “walking marriage.” The female has the final decision, what price, etc. Other Chinese were matrilineal-- the Naxi and Yao. Today, many African tribes including the Tuareg; plus many people in Bhutan and India’s West Bengal are matrilineal.
Q. Why is there a bride-price or dowry?
A. The bride-price is based upon the law of supply and demand of marriageable males and females, and to compensate parents for raising a girl. Marriage is often with a relative, close or remote, to keep the bride price and other property within the extended family.
A dowry is payment by the girl to acquire the husband’s status, his standard of living, and his duty to support her.
Q. What are some of the taboos or “don’ts” that we should avoid when we travel to distant countries?
A. Don’t take a photo without permission of a female in Arabic countries, nor, in China, of older people, or anyone in much of Asia. Many Asian men like to have their photo taken. Some primitive people believe a photo takes away the soul.
Don’t take photos of military areas, border areas, airports, seaports, dams, or railway stations in many countries, or in mosques, temples, or churches, or museums. Don’t take a photo of people praying.
Don’t stare, you may be calling the evil eye on a child--the starer must spit
Where women are protected, as in Islamic countries and India, a man must not flirt, or be alone with a married woman. Her husband, father, or brother may also take offense.
In the Pacific: a female can’t be higher than a man, she may be required to slouch; she also can’t step over a fire; a man can’t walk under a clothesline
During menstruation a female must stay in an isolated hut, in the Pacific and most of Africa
Don’t eat with the left hand in Arabic or southern Asia countries, don’t use personal chopsticks to serve food in Japan or China.
When sitting, don’t point toes at anyone or let them see soles of your feet.
Don’t touch a child on the head, especially in southern Asia.
Body contact, of males and males, or females and females, or males and females, is welcomed some places, a no-no in others. In Arabic countries, many Asian countries, and in eastern Europe it is common for girls to walk hand in hand, or for youths to walk hand in hand. It is usually not an indication of homosexuality, they are only good friends.
Greetings--Many Asians and Pacific islanders people don’t shake hands, don’t like bodily contact, they may only bow. Others shake hands on entering and leaving a group. Many Europeans and Latin Americans kiss on one or both cheeks, both males and females.
Gifts must be given at appropriate time, with either only the right hand, or both hands.
Don’t discuss dangerous subjects--politics, religion, military. In some countries, don’t ask about the family and personal life. Don’t say “we do things better in the usA.”
Never try to bring in guns or illegal drugs; alcohol and sexy or political books are risky in some countries
Q. What do women and girls do in most of Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and Latin America?
A. They get water from the well/stream/lake, gather wood/straw/cow dung for the fire, work in the fields with short-handle hoes and shovels, work in the garden, often milk the cows, give child care, and usually cook the food.
Q. What is voodoo? Where is it practiced?
A. Voodoo is a religion in West Africa and Central Africa, where it is believed to be powerful but basically good. When the unfortunate slaves brought voodoo to Haiti, Brazil, Cuba, parts of the US South, and other places where they were treated badly, they sometimes used voodoo as sorcerery, to bring harm to their enemies.
Q. What is the difference between borrowing and stealing?
A. In the Pacific and Caribbean, borrowing is taking something, often without the owner’s permission, to use yourself--it is often called “progging” in the Caribbean. Stealing is only if you sell it.
Q. Why did you write this book?
A. To let Americans and others know how other people live, why they act and think as they do, to teach us to appreciate all other people, to inform us about other great cultures. Also, to show the dangers of fundamentalist beliefs of all religions. Many fundamentalists are likely to be intolerant of all beliefs and practices but their own.
Kuajuraho Temple, west of Calcutta, India, lovers
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India, trucks are protected
against the evil eye
Lome, Togo fetish market, La Paz, Bolivia, "Magic" market
Togo's national monument shows voodoo god, Mahou, & his 2 messengers
Bhutan, village dance Bhutan, clowns also drive away evil spirits
Bhutan, penis honors 15th Century
"Mad Man" Lama Drupka Kunley
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