The tradition of carrying flaming barrels of tar through the streets of this Devon village is both odd and serious -- as well as highly dangerous. The tar-barrel tradition may have begun as a pagan ceremony to get rid of evil spirits or as a warning signal that the Spanish Armada was bearing down on the town or as a way to fumigate cottages. Despite the obvious dangers, it’s a high honor for a citizen to carry one of the 17 barrels. On Nov. 5, a 35-foot-high pile of the village’s debris is set alight for a monumental bonfire. Oct. 29 and Nov. 5, http://www.otterytarbarrels.co.uk (Matt Cardy / Getty Images)
