5 Surprising Sexual Traditions Around the World!
Sexual practices across the world look immensely different in each culture. In Ancient Babylon, there would be dinner parties, a euphemism for orgies from appetizers all the way to the desert. However, the Ancient Greeks could not fathom that idea and do so. As our world becomes more modernized and developed, specific sexual practices that were once seen normal and natural are deemed immoral and sinful. Why’s that? Because these practices do not fit into the Western, evangelical, heterosexual gender binary (that’s for another day).Yet, there are a few progressive and questionable sexual traditions that are still practiced today. It is crucial when reading this to be open-minded and respectful to all the different cultures!
So here are 5 surprising sexual traditions from a variety of cultures around the world:
1. Mangaia, an archipelago where female sexual pleasure matters!
Mangaia is the most southerly of the Cook Islands in the South Pacific Ocean, that most researchers would say has the most open attitudes towards sex and where there is an emphasis on sexual pleasure. Masturbation is known to Mangaian boys at the age of 7, and they may begin masturbating at ages 8 to 9. These Mangaian boys are taught how to kiss, perform oral sex, and learn how to bring pleasure to their partner around the age of 13 and practice with older women. For Mangaians males, getting their partner to orgasm is one of the man’s chief sources of sexual pleasure. For Mangaian girls, parents encourage their daughters to have sexual experiences as much as possible. All females apparently learn to have orgasms.
2. Is Inis Beag, Ireland, the most sexually repressive society?
In contrast to Mangaia, off the coast of Ireland lies a small island called Inis Beag is one of the most naive and sexually repressive societies in the world. In this society, sex education is nonexistent. These people do not have any knowledge of any sort of sexual activities such as “French kissing” or oral sex. There is no such thing as premarital sex. Parents don’t talk about sex to their children and simply trust that nature will run its course. Martial sex would involve but is limited to kissing and rough fondling of the buttocks, and male-on-top is the only position used, where both partners keep their underwear on during the activity. Men believe that intercourse is hard on one’s health. Lastly, female orgasm is thought to not exist or is considered deviant.
3. What are Love Huts? Kreung, Ratanakiri, Cambodia.
Deep in the Ratanakiri region of Cambodia, there is a tribe called Kreung, where young girls are in charge of their sexual agency. From the ages of 13-15, young girls have their own “Love Huts” built by their fathers away from their families so that they have a space to socialize and sexually experiment with boys. There is no such thing as a “female purity” or “slut” in this society; in fact, girls can have as many boyfriends/partners without any jealousy or commotion. The Kreung accepts the idea of premarital sex and teaches their children that sex is natural and beautiful. This tradition is more advanced than some of our developed society’s sexual norms. Yet, “Love Huts” are disappearing as the minority is exposed to Westernization, modernization and Khmer culture, where premarital is frowned upon.
4. A Place, Time and Space to get Sexually Acquainted? Muria Tribe, Chhattisgarh, India.
The Muria people, an indigenous tribe in Chhattisgarh, India, have always been sexually progressive for centuries. In their sexual tradition, the youth have a space that allows them to get sexually acquainted and experiment with one another. This tradition occurs in a Ghotul, a mixed dormitory where young men and women come together and spend the night. Only boys can participate at 21 years old, and girls at 18 years old. The event is all about educating and experimenting with sexuality. The Ghotul starts at dusk when singing and dancing are involved, and as it gets dark, the youth enter the Ghotul in pairs. A critical and compulsory rule is that it’s on the girl’s consent. If the girl refuses a boy, the boy cannot force or coerce her in any way. Usually, the night spent together involves talking or engaging in sexual activity.
5. Last Matriarchal Society? Mosuo Tribe, China.
Between the borders of China’s Sichuan and Yunnan provinces lies Lugu Lake is the home for the Mosuo tribe, the last standing matriarchal society, who have lived there for centuries. At the core of their tradition, women are seen as more valuable than men, make the majority of decisions, and have more autonomy. From family to sex life, it revolves around the Mosuo women’s choices and outcomes. There is a unique tradition from Mosuo known as zouhun, walking marriages, where when a Mosuo female reaches an age, they can choose their lovers, having as many or as few as they wish within their lifetime. This tradition can be from a one-night stand, a regular “hook-up,” or even a life-long partnership. However, couples never live together, and no one “ties the knot.” If a Mosuo female becomes pregnant, the baby is raised only by the mother’s side of the family and takes their mother’s surname. Whereas the baby’s father is only financially responsible and provides a fatherly role for their nieces and nephews living in their household.
I love learning about different cultures, perspectives, and traditions of sexual practices! As someone who is very interested in the intersection between sex and culture, there are many unknown sexual practices that I am still learning that showcase the beauty and diversity of human sexuality. It gives a great insight into how everyone’s definition of sex is so distinct and fluid from one another! These beautiful, rich in history sexual traditions from specific parts of the world is something I want to continue researching and bring into our modern society. Our modern world can definitely learn a thing or two from these old and ancient, yet progressive, traditions. Did any of these traditions surprise you?
