Why would people carry burning coals on their head?

Answer 1

Explain further please

Answer 2

this may be repaying a vow to God. it may also be a sign of penance or piety. to show that they are willing to "suffer" if God grant them certain wishes (no not wishes like make me rich or kill so-and-so, but rather, please heal my family member or let my child walk again kind)

1. the Indian culture practices fire-walking and "kavadi" which is the piercing of body parts and really just subjecting their bodies to extraordinary amounts of pain (to us on lookers anyway, but they usually say that it does not affect them at all)
for pictures and more articles about this : http://www.aryabhatt.com/fast_fair_festival/Festivals/Kavadi%20Festival.htm

2. also fire walking ceremonies by the Indians share the same reasons

3.in the Philippines, there are people who pay penance by being nailed to the cross and crucified the same way as Christ was or whipping themselves till they bleed...
for pictures and more articles about this:
http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/Philippines/NCR/photo108551.htm

so this is not plain stupidity as per some posters above have indicated. but rather just their own unique way of giving thanks to their gods.

hope this helps!

Answer 3

Probably for the same reason I saw a guy on a Motorcycle do a wheelie down the highway last week. (STUPIDITY)

Answer 4

bar b que on the brain I guess. or maybe their just a bunch of hot heads. lol

Answer 5

to show their god that they are paying for their sins or they are fulfilling their promise to their god.

Answer 6

They might be cold.

Answer 7

They are stupid.