Celebrating Life Customs around the World

Victoria Williams, PhD, is an independent writer and researcher living in London, England. She is author of ABC-CLIO's Weird Sports and Wacky Games Around the World: From Buzkashi to Zorbing.

Preface
Introduction
Geographical List of Entries
Volume 1: Birth and Childhood
Akan Baby-Naming Ceremonies, Ghana
Akka Goddess Customs, Saami
Apache Baby Ceremonies, Apache
Atiq Ceremony, Inuit
Baba Marta, Bulgaria
Babinden: Day of the Midwife, Bulgaria
Baby Gender Prediction Chart, China
Baby Racing, International
Baby Showers, International
Baby Welcoming, Paganism
Baptism and Christening, Christianity
Bedwetting Remedies, Traditional, International
Beschuit met Muisjes, Suikerboon, and Dragées, Europe
Birth Trees, International
Birthday Cakes, International
Birthday Candles, International
Birthday Cards, International
Birthday Torments, International
Birthdays, International
Birthstones, International
Bismillah Ceremony, Islam
Blessingway Ceremony, Navajo
Blidworth Cradle Rocking Ceremony, England
Blooding, United Kingdom
Blue Peter Badge, United Kingdom
Breastfeeding, International
Brit Milah, Judaism
Bulgarian Birth Customs, Bulgaria
Burying the Placenta, International
Calabash Chalk, Nigeria, United Kingdom, United States, and Canada
Cardboard Box Beds, Finland
Cerne Abbas Giant, England
Changeling Beliefs, International
Child Beauty Pageants, International
Childermas, Christianity
Childhood Vaccinations, International
Children's Laureate, United Kingdom
Chinese Pregnancy and Birth Rituals, China (including Taiwan)
Christening Gown, Christianity
Christingle, United Kingdom
Related Primary Document: Christingle Service Script
Churching of Women, Christianity
Related Primary Document: Churching of Mothers Ceremony Script, Greek Orthodox
Couvade, International
Covering the Belly Button Traditions, Latin America
Cradleboard, Native American
Crying-Baby Sumo Competition, Japan
Cutting the Umbilical Cord Traditions, International
Dala Horse, Sweden
Devadasi System, India
Dream Catcher, Native American
Eating Human Placenta, International
El Bolo, Mexico
El Salto del Colacho Baby Jumping Festival, Spain
Entering the Bashali, Pakistan
Fady, Madagascar
Fairytales, International
Father's Day, International
Fire-Hair Shaving and Khwan Ceremonies, Thailand
First Communion, Christianity
Food Taboos in Pregnancy, International
Ghanaian Birthday Traditions, Ghana
Girl Guides, International
Government-Approved Baby Names, International
Related Primary Document: Government-Approved Names, Iceland
Grasmere Rushbearing, England
Groaning Cheese and Groaning Cake, United Kingdom and North America
"Happy Birthday" Song, International
Hesono-o: Wrapping Umbilical Cord as Keepsake, Japan
Hindu Baby Rituals, Hinduism
Hopi Naming Rites, Hopi
Jamu Medicine and Massage, Indonesia
Kangaroo Care, International
Kodomo No Hi: Children's Day, Japan
Korean Childbirth Customs, Korea
Kumari and Deuki, Nepal
Kyrgyzstani Childhood Traditions, Kyrgyzstan
La Cuarentena, Latin America
Ladybird Books, England
Lamaze Technique and Bradley Method, International
Latvian Birth Traditions, Latvia
Legong, Indonesia
Little Edith's Treat, England
Lohusa Serbeti, Turkey
Lotus Birthing, International
Lullabies, International
May Crowning Ritual, Catholicism
Mistletoe, International
"Monday's Child," England
Monstrous Punishments for Naughty Children, International
Moon-Yuet, China
Mother Roasting, Southeast Asia
Mothering Sunday, Christianity
Mundan Ceremony, India
Muslim Birth Rites, Islam
Muslim Male Circumcision, Islam
Mutterpass, Germany, and Carnet de Santé Maternité, France
Name Days, Catholic and Orthodox, and Slava, Serbian Orthodox
Nativity Play, International
Navjote Ceremony: Zoroastrian Initiation, Zoroastrianism
Nordic Napping, Europe
Nursery Rhymes, International
Nyabutan Ceremony, Indonesia
Obando Fertility Dance, Philippines
One-Child Policy, China
Oshichiya Meimeishiki, Hyakunichimairi, and Okuizome, Japan
Pantomime, United Kingdom
Parental Leave, International
Related Primary Document: Maternity Leave Guide, United Kingdom
Related Primary Document: Parental Leave Guide, Australia
Related Primary Document: Paternity Leave Guide, United Kingdom
Party Games, International
Pasni Weaning Ceremony, Nepal
Phallus Festivals, International
Pidyon Haben: Redemption of the First Born, Judaism
Piñata, Mexico
Potty Training, International
Pregnancy Yoga, International
Quccija, Malta
Saining, Scotland
Saint Nicholas, Christianity
Sambatra Mass Circumcision Festival, Madagascar
Sarung Buaian, Malaysia
Scouts, International
Scroggling the Holly, England
Sebou, Egypt
Setsubun: Children's Bean-throwing Festival, Japan
Shengxiao, China
Sikh Baby Rites and Naam Karan Naming Ceremony, Sikhism
Silver Spoon, United Kingdom
Slow Parenting Movement, International
Spitting on Babies, International
Sprinkling Cake, Ireland
Steiner Schools, International
Swaddling, International
Tibetan Pregnancy and Birth Customs, Tibet
Tooth Fairy and Tooth Mouse, International
Traditional Teething Remedies, International
Trokosi: Female Ritual Servitude, Ghana, Benin, and Togo
Tuj, Guatemala
Upanayana: Sacred Thread Ritual, Hinduism
Waldkindergärten, International
Warding Off the Evil Eye, International
Water Birth, International
Wedding Ring Test, United Kingdom
Weihnachtsmärchen and Advent Calendars, Germany
Wetting the Baby's Head, International
Whuppity Scoorie and Lanimer Day, Scotland
Wiccaning, Wicca
Wik-Mungkan Naming Ceremony, Aborigine, Australia
Witch Ball, International
Worry Dolls and Katsina Dolls, Guatemala and Hopi
Zuo Yuezi, China
Zur-zur and Yankan Gishiri, Sub-Saharan Africa
Selected Bibliography for Volume 1
Comprehensive Index
Volume 2: Adolescence and Early Adulthood
Afghani Betrothal, Afghanistan
Andrzejki: St. Andrew's Eve, Poland
Arranged Marriage and Forced Marriage, International
Assyrian Betrothal and Weddings, International
Baccalauréat and Matura, Europe
Bachelor and Spinster Balls, Australia
Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah, Judaism
Beards, International
Bed-Courtship, Amish
Birthday Humiliations for Singletons, Denmark and Germany
Blackening the Bride, Scotland
Breast Ironing, Africa and Elsewhere
British Wedding Traditions, United Kingdom
Bulgarian Weddings, Bulgaria
Bullet Ant Initiation, Brazil
Burning the Ashen Faggot, England, and The Burning of the Clavie, Scotland
Cajun Weddings, United States
Chinese Coming-of-Age Ceremonies, China
Chisungu, Zambia
Chokha Thavani Viddhi: Devipujak Purification Trial, India
Choosing Options, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland
Christian Wedding Ceremony, Christianity
Coming of Age Day, Japan
Courtship Whistling, Mexico
Cow Jumping, Ethiopia
Dastaar Bandi and Amrit Sanchar, Sikhism
Dipo Womanhood Ceremony, Ghana
Diwali and Kali Pooja, India
Related Primary Document: Sandip Roy, "The Great Diwali Fight and Obama," 2009
Dunmow Flitch Trials, England
Dyngus Day, Eastern Europe and United States
Ear-Piercing Ceremonies, Myanmar and Malaysia
Face in Birthday Cake, Mexico
Fattening Room Seclusion, Nigeria
Female Genital Cutting, Africa, Middle East, Asia, and Elsewhere
Fidanzamenti, Italy
Filipino Debut, Philippines
Forehead-Cutting Initiation, Africa
Gap Year, International
Gretna Green, Scotland
Gwallye, South Korea
Hadaka Matsuri, Japan
Hair Removal, International
Hajj, Islam
Handfasting, Scotland, also Neo-Paganism
Related Primary Document: Handfasting Ceremony (Sample)
Handparting, Wicca
Hijab, Islam
Hijra, Indian Sub-Continent
Hindu Wedding Ceremony, Hinduism
Hmong Names, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand
Hora, Eastern Europe, and Horah, Judaism
Horseshoes, International
Human Tooth Sharpening, Indonesia and Africa
Inter-Railing, Europe
Initiation by Semen Transferal, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu
Iria Ceremony, Nigeria
Isanaklesh Gotal, Mescalero Apache
Jewish Wedding Customs, Judaism
Jumping Over the Broom, United Kingdom and United States, also Neo-Paganism
Jury Duty, International
Related Primary Document: Jury Duty Guide, United States
Related Primary Document: Jury Summons Guide, United Kingdom
Kumbh Mela, Hinduism
La Quinceañera, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the United States
La Soupe, France
Ladouvane and St. Sylvester's Day, Bulgaria
Land Diving, Vanuatu
Lazarovden, Bulgaria
Leap Year Proposal, International
Lindo, Croatia
Lip Plugs, Africa and South America
Lobola, Southern Africa
Log Riding, Japan
Looking for Fern Blossoms, Eastern Europe
Lovespoons, Wales
Maasai Warrior Initiation, Kenya and Tanzania
Majáles, Czech Republic
Marriage Banns, Christianity
Related Primary Document: Marriage Banns Legislation, United Kingdom
Matis Hunting Trials, Brazil
Maypoles, Europe
Mehndi, International
Menstrual Customs, International
Menstrual Taboos, International
Money Dance, International
Moonie Weddings, International
Moroccan Weddings, Morocco
Muslim Wedding Ceremony, Islam
Neck Elongation, Thailand, Myanmar, and South Africa
Nkumbi, Democratic Republic of Congo
Nyumba Ntobhu: Traditional Same-Sex Marriage, Tanzania
Omiai: Japanese Matchmaking, Japan
Pika and Nyora, Zimbabwe and Mozambique
Polterabend, Germany
Polyandry, International
Polygyny, International
Povitica, Eastern Europe
Purity Ball, United States
RAG Week, United Kingdom and Ireland
Reed Dancing Chastity Ceremony, Kingdom of Swaziland
Ritual Tattooing, International
Rumspringa, United States and Canada
Russefeiring, Norway, and Schoolies Week, Australia
Same-Sex Marriage, International
Related Primary Document: Same-Sex Civil Partnership Ceremony Text, United Kingdom
San-San-Kudo, Japan
Scarification, Africa and Papua New Guinea
Schuhplattler and Ländler, Germany and Austria
Secular Confirmation, Europe
Shabka, Islam and Coptic Christianity
Shanghai Marriage Market, China
Sharo: Public Flogging, Nigeria and Benin
Shinbyu, Buddhism
Sikh Wedding Ceremony, Sikhism
Singles' Day, China, and Black Day, South Korea
Sisters' Meal Festival, China
Sock Garland, Germany, and Sock Dance, Canada
St. Catherine's Day, France
St. Dwynwen's Day, Wales
Sünnet, Turkey
Sunrise Ceremony, Apache, United States
Thaipusam: Extreme Ritual Flesh Modification, Hinduism
Tooth-Filing Ceremony, Indonesia
Training Bras, United States, Europe, and Australasia
Trobriand Ritualized Sex and Commitment, Papua New Guinea
Twenty-First Birthday Traditions, International
Urethral Subincision, Australia, Africa, and South America
Vinok, Ukraine
Virginity Testing, International
Vision Quest, Native American
Visiting-Girls Courtship Tradition, China
Walkabout, Australia
Wedding Anniversaries, International
Wedding Cakes, International
Wedding Dress and Wedding Ring, International
Related Primary Document: Yumi Sakugawa, "An Asian American Wedding," 2009
Wedding March and Bridal Chorus, International
White Coat Ceremony and Pinning Ceremony, International
Wodaabe Courtship Dance and Festival, Africa
Xhosa Circumcision, South Africa
Zou Hun: Mosuo Walking Marriages, China
Selected Bibliography for Volume 2
Comprehensive Index
Volume 3: Aging and Death
"Abide With Me," United Kingdom, North America, and Australasia
Albanian Funeral Customs, Albania
Alkaline Hydrolysis, United Kingdom, Australia, and United States
All Souls' Day, Europe and South America
Ankou, France and England
Assisted Suicide, International
Bees, United Kingdom
Buddhist Attitudes Toward Death, Buddhism
Cairn, International
Changing of the Guard Ceremony, United States
Chelsea Pensioners, England
Chinese Death Customs, China
Christian Death Rituals, Christianity
Condemned Prisoner's Last Meal, United States
Condolences, International
Cremation, International
Croning, Saging, and Elderling Ceremonies, Paganism
Crucifixion Rituals, Philippines
Death Dance, International
Delaware Indian Death Rituals, North America
Related Primary Document: Ray Fadden, Letter to President Harry S. Truman Regarding Burial of an Indian at Arlington National Cemetery, September 3, 1951
Denville Hall & Brinsworth House, England
Dia de los Muertos: Day of the Dead, Latin America and United States
Doom Metal and Funeral Doom, International
Easter Eggs, Christianity
Eating the Ashes of the Dead, Brazil and Venezuela
Edir, Ethiopia, and Engozi, Uganda
Eleanor Crosses, England
Embalming, United States
Endocannibalism, Papua New Guinea and Brazil
Eulogies, International
Related Primary Document: President Reagan's Address to the Nation Following the Challenger Shuttle Disaster, 1986
Eyam Plague Sunday Service, England
Famadihana, Madagascar
Fantasy Coffins, Ghana
Finger Amputation, Papua New Guinea
Funeral Cakes and Funeral Candy, International
Funeral Plants, Europe
Funeral Songs, International
Goth Subculture, International
Grave Rental and Exhumation, Europe and Asia
The Great Passing, Romania
Hallowe'en and Martinstag, International
Halva, International
High-Platform Exposure of the Corpse, Australia
Hindu Death Customs, Hinduism
Isola di San Michele: Venice's Cemetery Island, Italy
Japanese Death Customs, Japan
Jazz Funeral, United States
Jewish Death Customs, Judaism
Koliva, International
Lakota Death Rituals, Lakota, North America
Related Primary Document: Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act, 1990
"The Last Post" and "Taps," International
Living with the Dead, Indonesia
"Lyke-Wake Dirge," England
Maidens' Garlands, England
Malagan, Papua New Guinea
Maundy Money, United Kingdom
Memento Mori and Vanitas, International
Message from the Queen, United Kingdom
Minute's Silence, International
Mirila, Croatia
Missing Man Formation, International
Mizuko Kuyo: Japanese Fetus Memorial Service, Japan
Mortuary Totem Poles, Haida and Tlingit
Mummification, International
Muslim Death Rituals, Islam
National Mourning, International
Ngaben, Indonesia
Nine-Nights, Caribbean
Obituary, International
Ossuaries, Europe
Passing Bells, England and Scotland
Passion Play, Christianity
Pauper's Funeral, United Kingdom
Personalized Hearses, United Kingdom
Plastination, Germany
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, International
Qingming Festival, China
Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday, International
Related Primary Document: Remembrance Sunday Early Day Motion, United Kingdom
Retirement and Pensions, International
Related Primary Document: Social Pension/Superannuation Guide, New Zealand
Related Primary Document: State Pension Government Guide, United Kingdom
Riderless Horse, International
Romanian Funeral Customs, Romania
Royal Wootton Bassett, England
Sakalava Royal Death Traditions and Fitampoha, Madagascar
Sallekhana–, Jainism
San La Muerte, South America
Santa Muerte, Mexico and United States
Saturday of Souls, Orthodox Christianity, Bulgaria, and Serbia, and Radonitsa, Russia
Senior Sporting Events, International
Shrunken Heads, Peru and Ecuador
Sikh Death Customs, Sikhism
Sky Burials, Autonomous Tibet and China
Soul Cakes and Soul Breads, Europe
Space Burial, Outer Space
Spontaneous Shrines, International
State Funeral, International
Stations of the Cross, Christianity
Suicide Landmarks, International
Tangihanga: Maori Mourning Ritual, New Zealand
Taxidermy, International
Tear Catchers and Mourning Jewelry, International
Tt Nguyên dan, Vietnam
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, International
Tombstone Tourism, International
Tongan Funerals, Tonga
Traditional Mourning Colors, International
University of the Third Age, International
Vrindavan: The City of Widows, India
Wake, International
Wearing Flowers to Honor War Dead, International
Wiccan Funerals, Wicca
Related Primary Document: Wiccan Funeral for an Elderly Woman
Windmills, The Netherlands
Yew Trees, Europe
Yu Lan Jie: The Hungry Ghost Festival, China
Zaduszki, Poland
Zombies and Voodoo Death Traditions, Haiti
Zoroastrian Funerals, India
Selected Bibliography for Volume 3
Comprehensive Index