Indians from south India immigrated to Singapore many generations ago.  During early February every year these Singaporeans pierce their bodies and place jugs of milk on their heads and march all day through Singapore.  They end the procession at a temple near my home.  The people dance and pour milk over a god’s statue.  Part of the milk is saved for people to drink and to absorb the blessings.  This picture shows one participant from the parade.  Wires pierce his body and support the elaborate headdress.  His tongue, nose, arms, and other body parts were pierced.   

Religion is so unique to every culture - what we do, how we do it, what we seek from the experience.  I remember some years ago when I was visiting Mama, I saw a group of men drawing a giant cross on wheels down the sidewalk.  When they saw me looking, they stopped to ask if I was saved.  This parallel could seem offensive to some; but hopefully you can see the personal yearning lying at the root of both actions.