Traditions in Denmark/デンマークの伝統

 

My name is Laura and my target language is Japanese.

I would like to tell a bit about a rather unique tradition we have that I have not heard about anywhere else. This summer I turned 25 years old and when you do that in Denmark your friends tie you to a lamppost and throw cinnamon all over you. Usually your friends give you a mask and goggles as well as it is very uncomfortable to get into your eyes and mouth. Firstly they throw hot water over you so your pores open and then they pour the cinnamon. My friends went head over heals and bought five kilos of cinnamon so when they were finished I was standing on a small mountain of cinnamon. To make it just a bit more uncomfortable they also poured raw eggs and ketchup over me (for the cinnamon to stick of course). When they have used up the cinnamon they pour cold water over you so the pores close. By doing do you smell like cinnamon for longer which for me was at least five days. I found pieces of cinnamon in my ears and nose for several days as well.

The history of the tradition goes back many years as it was a way to humiliate people who were not married yet. As it is today as well.
It gets even worse when you turn 30. That is when your friends will pour pepper all over you. Do you have tradition for your round birthdays in your home country?