Annual Baby Crying Contest, Japan

When it comes to weird of the weirdest customs, rest assured, Japan is always going to deliver. This time it comes in form of the annual baby crying contest, Naki Sumo. And look who is going to scare the tiny toddlers – 500 pound Sumo wrestlers.

Tens of eager mothers bring babies each year to the Sensoji Temple in Tokyoto, where Sumo wrestlers and high priests are close at hand to coax the babies into wailing. The baby which cries the loudest and longest wins the contest. Participating parents believe that Sumo wrestler induced cries are beneficial for the health of the babies, which is debatable. The 400-year old ritual is also believed to ward off evil spirits, which is arguable too.

This year 80 babies, all less than a year old, took part in the event to cry. The atmosphere must have been maddening.