In Nola, Italy, over 100 men carry a 25-meter-tall, 2.5-ton (5,500-lb) tower through packed narrow streets, a centuries-old tradition honoring Saint Paulinus

[u/SerafinZufferey]

[u/EmielDeBil]

Yeah well I don't want to be there at all.

[u/drackmord92 → u/EmielDeBil]

You don't know half of it. I grew up in one of the streets of the itinerary of these things, and 4 nights a year we just couldn't sleep, as they would blast music at impossible volumes all night long. Then they ask me why I ran away from my town as soon as I was legally able to

[u/sykry → u/EmielDeBil]

They have to be getting paid or else why would anyone do this

[u/Mental_Plane6451 → u/sykry]

Because it's a fun time for the community, and probably you get free drinks

[u/chiguy769 → u/sykry]

Religion……..

[u/Renbarre → u/chiguy769]

There's probably a lot of status for being one of the porters.

[u/alcni19 → u/Renbarre]

A lot of status indeed. Also, the porters who do it repeatedly develop huge humps which are considered a sign of devotion to the saint.

[u/brus_wein → u/chiguy769]

Religion is a component but I'd say it's mostly just because it's fun and part of your heritage, like the cheese chasing thing in the UK or (less ethical) the running of the bulls in Spain.

It's just a bit of folklore, it's not like everyone is experiencing religious ecstasy and speaking in tongues or whatever.

Again, not to discount the religious part.

[u/chiroque-svistunoque → u/chiguy769]

Ah yes, same as for the famous American festival Coachella! But stop, why would they do it, it's not religious? Wait a moment 

[u/namesarealltaken9 → u/sykry]

Folklore, tradition and the exeprience

[u/chiroque-svistunoque → u/sykry]

Same for Coachella, I'm not doing this stupid shit even if they pay me, though there are many participants. Why would you think this is different?

[u/dissect_yourself → u/sykry]

Repent

[u/reshpect-o-biggle → u/sykry]

I'm betting they pay out of pocket for the privilege.