Some minority religious sects among the major world religions practice self-flagellations as a ritual. During these rituals there is blood in the street and its a sad spectacle. Some of the pictures have not been shared due to their graphic nature. We hope that everyone understands respect and importance of human body and life.
Among the christians, a sect of Roman Catholics, named as Flagellants, practiced the self-flagellation. This practice was later condemned and banned by the roman catholic church in 14th century.
This practice is currently being practiced by catholic christians of philippines. On the occasion of good friday hundreds of barefoot Filipinos march on the roads. During the procession they carry wooden crosses and whip their backs until they start bleeding. They consider it to be a form of religious worship which is practiced in the week leading up till the sunday of easter.
Among the muslims, the shiite minority organizes massive parades known as “Matam” in which they flog themselves with chains, blades and knives. This practice and other beliefs of shias have always been condemned by the mainstream sunni muslim majority. Countries like Saudi Arabia have banned all forms of Matam.
