Posted on 06 Aug 2011
Town in China holds 'Breast-touching festival' for single ladies to ward off ghosts

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The people of Eija town in Yunnan province in China believe that the restless spirits of their townsmen who died in civil war would claim 10 pure and untouched ladies during this 'Hungry Ghost Month'. To prevent being taken to the underworld, the single ladies of the town would let men touch their breasts during this time.

STOMPer touchyfeely finds this tradition fascinating:

"Superstition drives us to do many things.

"But this has to be one of the most unusual practices.

"From the 14th - 16th of this 'Hungry Ghost Month', the men of the town are allowed to touch the single ladies' breasts.

"This is to honour the Monai Jie (Breast-Touching Festival).

"This festival began because of a local legend during the Sui Dynasty (AD 581 – 619) when most of the male teenagers of the town were forced into the army and died in wars.

"According to belief, the dead were unable to rest because they had not touched a woman before. And so, they wanted 10 "pure and untouched" ladies to accompany them in the afterworld.

"To prevent them from being chosen, the single women – aged 15 and above - then asked the men to touch their breasts, and the custom is past down for generations.

"Guess the choice is yours - be touched by unseen forces or by a real live man - which is the lesser of two evils for you?"

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