While one glance at the photos below may have you searching for the number of the nearest NSPCC centre, the bizarre ritual of jumping over babies is actually an annual festival held in Burgos, Spain. The El Salto del Colacho or ‘The Devil’s Jump’ dates back to 1620 and sees men dressed as the devil (in red and yellow jump suits) jump over mattresses filled with babies that have been born over the previous 12 months. The original purpose of the ritual was to ‘cleanse the babies of original sin, ensure them safe passage through life and guard against illness and evil spirits.’ Whatever the reasons, the El Salto del Colacho has just shot straight to the top of our list of strangest festivals in the world.
