Japan’s Baby Crying contest

Naki Sumo, or the Baby Crying Festival is a contest in Japan where sumo wrestlers hold a baby to see whose infant will cry first. The baby to cry loudest and longest wins the contest. A Japanese proverb says that 'crying babies grow fast'. So they believe that the louder an infant wails, the more gods have blessed it. The competition is thus intended to generate good health for the babies.

TOKYO, JAPAN: APRIL 29 A baby cries as a university sumo club members holds them during Crying-Sumo at Sensoji Temple April 29, 2004 in Tokyo, Japan. The baby that cries first wins the game. The ceremony has been taking place in Japan to wish for the good health of the child as it is said that crying is good for the health of babies. Majority of the children who participate are less than 1 year old. (Photo by Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images) less

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Mon, Apr 23, 2012 12:31 PM AST (Arabian)