Most parents go to great lengths to keep their babies from crying, but at Japan’s Naki Sumo festival, the point is to actually make your kid sob.
In this video, sumo wrestlers make loud noises and faces at babies to get them to start crying. The baby who cries the loudest and for the longest amount of time is deemed the winner, though the real winners are the baby’s parents, who probably haven’t gotten a good night’s sleep in months.
As NBC News writes, “some believe that children’s wailing wards off evil spirits.” Though their tear-stained faces might make you a little sad, the 400-year-old festival is meant to bring the babies good health.
Get The Brief. Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know right now.
