The 22 Strangest Things That Have Been Banned Around The World
BuzzFeed - Latest 2014-10-20
Summary:
What do you mean I can’t reincarnate without government permission?
Burundi: Jogging
During a period of ethnic strife in the country that only ended within the last decade, citizens would go jogging together in large groups as a way to get out their energy and use each other as protection from dangerous militias. However, in March of 2014, the country's president, Pierre Nkurunziza, banned these jogs, claiming that they are used as cover for people to plan subversive activities — and, in fact, many opposition members have been jailed for taking part in group jogs.
Getty Images/iStockphoto Dirima
Turkmenistan: Lip syncing
Well, at least at large cultural events and on television programming. In 2005, then-president Saparmurat Niyazov banned lip syncing in order to preserve "true culture." He had also banned opera and ballet, deeming them "unnecessary."
NBC / Via fallontonight.tumblr.com
China: Reincarnation without government permission
A 2007 law in China on the "Management Measures for the Reincarnation of Living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism" made it illegal for Buddhist monks to reincarnate without prior government approval. Or, at least, for religious groups to recognize a Buddha's new "soul child" following the passing of the previous Buddha without first getting government permission.
Getty Images/Ingram Publishing Ingram Publishing
Romania: Scrabble
In the '80s, Romanian leader Nicolae Ceausescu banned the game of Scrabble because it was "subversive" and "evil". Luckily, the ban is no longer, and the country now has a Scrabble Federation and hosts tournaments for players.
AFP / Getty Images THOMAS COEX