20 Forgotten Traditions You Can Still Witness Worldwide
92% of cultural traditions have faded due to globalization. The ones that remain? They’re hidden in remote villages, whispered through ancient rituals, and practiced by communities fighting to keep their heritage alive. But here’s the problem: Most travelers will never see them.
Tourism highlights the same landmarks, museums, and postcard-perfect sights. But what about the fire-walking ceremonies in Greece? The last eagle hunters of Mongolia? The men in Bulgaria who dress as mythical beasts to scare away evil spirits? These traditions are slipping away, yet they still exist—if you know where to look.
Travel shouldn’t just be about seeing new places. It should be about experiencing worlds that are vanishing before our eyes. And these 20 traditions? They’re not just bucket-list experiences—they’re time capsules into human history. Want to know which ones you can still witness before they’re gone forever? Keep reading.
1. Naghol Land Diving – Vanuatu
Location: Pentecost Island, Vanuatu.
Date/History: Over 1,500 years old, done every April to June.
Known for: The death-defying ritual that inspired bungee jumping.
Men leap from 30-meter towers with only vines tied to their ankles. This intense test of courage is believed to ensure a bountiful yam harvest and prove a man’s bravery. Bungee jumping, as we know, was commercialized in the 1980s, but the Naghol dive has been practiced for centuries as a ritual to ensure a good yam harvest.
2. Kukeri Festival – Bulgaria
Location: Pernik and various towns across Bulgaria.
Date/History: Takes place every January; Over 2,000 years to Thracian rituals.
Known for: A surreal festival where men dress as mythical creatures to chase away evil spirits.
Participants wear elaborate, hand-crafted costumes with large bells tied to their waists, creating an eerie yet mesmerizing sound. The purpose? To scare off malevolent spirits and welcome good fortune for the year ahead. UNESCO recognizes Kukeri as an important part of Bulgaria’s Intangible Cultural Heritage, preserving its ancient roots and folklore.
3. Gule Wamkulu – Malawi
Location: Central Malawi, as well as parts of Zambia and Mozambique.
Date/History: Originated in the 17th century as part of Chewa initiation ceremonies.
Known for: A secret masked dance performed by the Chewa people.
Dancers, disguised in elaborate, handcrafted masks, perform exaggerated, energetic movements that symbolize spirits and ancestral messages. Traditionally, the Gule Wamkulu was considered sacred, with its performers believed to be possessed by spirits. The ritual was banned by missionaries in the 20th century but survived underground, reemerging as a proud symbol of Chewa identity and now recognized by UNESCO.
4. Fire Walking – Greece & Sri Lanka
Location: Northern Greece (Anastenaria) and various Hindu temples in Sri Lanka.
Date/History: Over 2,500 years old, tied to religious devotion.
Known for: Walking barefoot across burning embers in a test of faith and endurance.
In Greece, the ritual is linked to Saint Constantine and Saint Helen, while in Sri Lanka, fire walking is a Hindu purification ceremony. Devotees enter a trance-like state before stepping onto the flames, emerging unharmed—an act believed to demonstrate divine protection and spiritual strength. Scientists explain fire-walking by the low thermal conductivity of embers, but participants credit faith for their resilience.