Some people likes the unconventional, the different, the bizarre.

Thus, every year thousands of people flock to see, and even participate, in these kinds of festivals.

While some of the world's most bizarre festivals are of ancient origin, others started only in recent times.

Here are some of the world's most bizaare festivals:

1. Fiesta de San Marta de Ribarteme
The Fiesta de San Marta de Ribarteme is a gathering of residents of Las Nieves, Spain who have suffered a near death experience in the previous year. Together they attend a mass in honor of Saint Marta de Ribarteme, the Patron Saint of resurrection. What makes the festival weird is that the participants bring a coffin, or are carried in a coffin. These coffins are then brought to the top of a nearby hill where the statue of Saint Martha de Ribarteme is located. The irony of it is that people light fireworks and the streets are filled with vendors selling religious items.

2. La Tomatina
The La Tomatina, which started way back in the 1940s, is held in Spain, in the town of Bunol in the Valencia region. To celebrate this festival, locals and foreigners, at times reaching 40,000, gather to throw tomatoes at each other. The tomato throwing is done in honor of the Virgin Mary and St. Louis Bertrand. The festival begins with a person trying to scale a greased pole to reach a cooked ham. When he is able to bring down the ham, water canon are fired at the participants. At the same time over 100 tons of tomatoes are scattered in the streets for throwing. Women are required to wear white clothing while men should not wear shirts or else it will be ripped off.

3. Bonfires of St. John
This is a popular festival in Spain which is held every June 19 to 24. The highlight of the festival is the lighting of the bonfires which are frequently fueled by old furniture. After the lighting the locals then share hot chocolate as they watch. The weird thing, however, is that the village children then take turns in running across the fires. The whole week is filled with festivities such as firework displays and the selection of 86 women and 86 young girls as beauties of the bonfires.

4. Hadaka Matsuri
In Japan, the Hadaka Matsuri is celebrated many times during the year. Participants to this festival either wear a traditional loin cloth or sometimes go completely naked. The festival, which has religious origins, make use of mud and oftentimes, is held separately for men and women. In some towns, this festival is done as a rites of passage for children.

5. El Colacho
El Colacho or baby jumping is another Spanish festival held yearly during the feast of Corpus Christi. It is observed by laying babies born in the previous 12 months in mattresses. Then the adult men of the village of Castrillo de Murcia who are dressed up as devils take turns in jumping over the babies. It is believed that the jumping will get rid of the babies' original sin.

6. Thaipusam
Every year in January or February, Tamils hold the Thaipusam to celebrate the birth of Murugan who is the son of gods Shiva and Parvati. Participants to this Hindu festival shave their heads and go on a pilgrimage. The bizarre part is that at the end of the pilgrimage, they prick their tongues or cheeks with sharp skewers. Others even put a hook in their backs and pull heavy objects to caus as much pain as possible. This is done with the believe that the more you endure, the more blessings you receive from the gods. This is celebrated in India, Singapore and Malaysia.

Many other weird festivals are being observed all over the world, some for religious reasons while others are just as plain entertainment. The faint-hearted may not appreciate these kinds of bizarre rituals but some adventurous individuals will find enjoyment.