A promise is a promise, so today I’m bringing you the second part of our column on some curious aspects of sexuality around the world.
On a planet as vast and diverse as ours in terms of tastes, personalities, beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions, it’s fascinating to discover other ways of understanding sexuality, especially when they come from the other side of the globe.
Temporary marriage: Although in Iran it’s not acceptable to have sex before marriage or outside the marriage, there’s an institution called temporary marriage, or sigheh, in which a small fee is paid to legalize romantic liaisons in the eyes of God and the law. Without this formality, it’s difficult for a couple to have a fling.
The inequality here lies in the fact that married men can have a sigheh with other women without any problem and as many times as they wish, however, for a woman to do so, she must be a widow or divorced. In other words, if she is married or single, she cannot start this temporary union.
Oral sex as a rite of passage: In Papua, New Guinea and some regions of Central Africa, for boys to become men, they must perform oral sex on the tribe’s elderly men and drink their semen.
If the young men refuse to do so, they lose the chance to have any relationship with women.
Inuit hospitality: In Greenland or the Arctic, when you visit an Inuit family, the head of the household offers his wife to the guest to spend the night as a gesture of welcome. If the guest refuses, not only might the hosts take offense, but this refusal could cost the visitors their lives.
Special Friends: In Mozambique, there is a custom where friends lend each other their partners when they are having difficulty conceiving. There are African tribes where it’s very common for men to “steal” women during the annual festival, and as a requirement, the men must be married.
Close-Knit Family: In some Arab countries, it’s common for men and women to marry their brothers-in-law, parents-in-law, daughters-in-law, or sons-in-law if they become widowed. What a lovely family!
Offensive Rejection: The Semais tribe in Central Malaysia and Borneo, for religious reasons, cannot reject a sexual advance since it’s considered bad luck.
Gestures of refusal, known as “puan,” are not accepted because they frustrate the person who made the advance. Committing “puan” against someone becomes not only an offense against the people but also a sacred punishment.
Sexy Pain: In several Amazonian tribes in Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Guyana, sexual rituals involve physical pain, where men typically cut, pierce, and tattoo their penises to satisfy more sexual partners.
A Curious Ritual: In Australia, the initiation ceremony for Mardudjara men involves pulling out one of their front teeth and cutting off their foreskin, which they must eat, as only then will they be considered reborn.
Meanwhile, among the Aranda tribe, also in Australia, there is a custom of sharing the bride among all family members before the wedding.
Virgins not allowed: In Guam and other Pacific Islands, as well as in Madagascar, it’s frowned upon for women to be virgins on their wedding day, as the more experienced they are, the better. The need is so great that there are men dedicated to providing them with their first sexual experience.
Female polygamy: also known as polyandry, it’s customary in Nepal, Tibet, the Toda community in India, and among the Sinhalese of Sri Lanka. Among this last group, fraternal polyandry is practiced, that is, a woman may marry several men who are brothers to one another (“sharing is caring” they say).
What do you think? I bet there are a variety of opinions, but I think we can all come to the same conclusion: sex and sexuality are subjective. They’re aspects of life that help us let go of our inhibitions and give free rein to our imagination. You don’t have to agree with everything, and that’s normal, but respect should always come first.
If the person, couple, threesome, or group is having fun and isn’t hurting anyone, don’t let it bother you. On the contrary, take it as a source of #sinrecato inspiration to incorporate some of that playfulness into your own games and experiences.
Traducción del español: Catalina Oviedo Brugés
