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    These are some Christmas traditions around the world, from fistfights to KFC

    Some of these traditions' origin stories and how they are implemented can vary by region or households, but they nonetheless help bring holiday cheer to those who celebrate.
    by Ayana Archie Dec 14, 2023 5 minutes
    Pilgrims chant during the celebration of Ethiopian Orthodox Christmas at Saint Mary's Church in Lalibela on Jan. 7, 2023.

    In the U.S., holiday season customs can range from the cozy to the confounding, like sharing a kiss under the poisonous and parasitic plant, mistletoe.

    Around the world, the traditions are as diverse as the countries in which they originated. From flying fists to crispy chicken wings, here's a look at some of the interesting ways in which people celebrate the Christmas season and beyond.

    A fistfighting festival in Peru

    Christmas Day in Santo Tomás, Peru, starts off as families make their way to church. But later that morning, and into the afternoon, is the time for Takanakuy, a series of organized fistfights. Takanakuy means "to strike" in Quechua, an indigenous language spoken in the Andes Mountains region of Peru.

    The festival is an opportunity for friends, families, neighbors and business partners to settle their differences outside of the courts, which can be

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