History holds countless tales of human oddity, but few are as remarkably strange as the world’s shortest war and a centuries-old tradition of jumping over babies. These events, though vastly different, showcase humanity’s peculiar nature in times of conflict and celebration.
The Anglo-Zanzibar War stands as a testament to military efficiency, or perhaps absurdity, lasting only 38 minutes from start to finish. On August 27, 1896, British warships unleashed their fury upon the Sultan’s palace in Zanzibar after Sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini, who had been a British ally, passed away. His successor, Sultan Khalid bin Barghash, took the throne without British approval, prompting an ultimatum from the British authorities.
The historic Anglo-Zanzibar War that lasted only 38 minutes. Credit: Wikipedia
When Sultan Khalid refused to step down, British warships opened fire at exactly 9:02 AM. By 9:40 AM, the palace lay in ruins, 500 defenders were casualties, and Sultan Khalid had fled to the German consulate. This brief but intense conflict reshaped the political landscape of Zanzibar and demonstrated British colonial power in East Africa.
Meanwhile, in the small Spanish town of Castrillo de Murcia, a tradition dating back to 1620 continues to astonish visitors annually. During the festival of El Colacho, men dressed as devils in yellow suits leap over rows of babies lying on mattresses in the street. This remarkable ritual is believed to cleanse the infants of original sin and protect them from illness and misfortune.
A devil-jumper leaps over babies during El Colacho festival. Credit: National Geographic
The baby-jumping festival occurs during the Catholic feast of Corpus Christi, where these devil-jumpers, known as El Colacho, sprint and hurdle over squirming infants while wielding horsewhips and colorful whips. Parents eagerly place their babies on the cushioned ground, trusting in this centuries-old tradition despite its unusual nature.
Local priests accompany the ceremony, sprinkling holy water and offering blessings, while the community gathers to witness this unique blend of Catholic and pagan traditions. Despite concerns from outsiders, no injuries have been recorded in the festival’s long history, and the tradition continues to draw curious spectators from around the world.
These two events, though separated by purpose and geography, reflect humanity’s capacity for both swift violence and enduring traditions. The Anglo-Zanzibar War demonstrates how quickly human conflict can escalate and resolve, while El Colacho shows how unusual customs can survive centuries of modernization, maintaining their cultural significance in an ever-changing world.
References:
Anglo-Zanzibar War – Wikipedia – link
El Colacho Baby Jumping Festival – National Geographic – link
Categories: Cultural Traditions, Do you know, Historical Events, Military History, Weird History
Tags: Anglo-Zanzibar War, Baby Jumping Festival, Cultural Traditions, El Colacho, Historical Events, Spanish Traditions, World's Shortest War, Zanzibar History
Religion: Christianity
Country of Origin: Spain, Tanzania, United Kingdom
Topic: Historical Events
Ethnicity: Mixed
