Exploring different cultural traditions can be eye-opening and rewarding, but some experiences are definitely not for everyone. This ritual? I think I’d pass.
Australian comedy duo Hamish and Andy are known for their wild and bizarre stunts, but one of their most extreme moments came when Hamish willingly subjected himself to a swarm of bullet ants.
According to National Geographic, boys as young as 12 must wear gloves packed with bullet ants for a full 10 minutes while performing a ceremonial dance.
The ants, known for their excruciating stings, unleash their venom over and over again.
Hamish decided to give this a go, and let’s just say he probably regretted it almost immediately.
His screams and frantic movements show just how intense the pain really is.
The Sateré-Mawé encourages him to push through the agony, insisting that he must dance despite the unbearable pain.
See for yourself:
The insect gets its name because its sting is said to feel as painful as being shot.
Considered one of the most agonizing insect stings in the world, the bullet ant’s venom can leave a person in pain for up to 24 hours—hence its nickname, the “24-hour ant.”
Hamish went through six distinct stages of agony:
- Uncontrollable shrieking
- Flat-out refusal to dance
- Screaming and swearing
- Profuse sweating
- Violent shaking
- Begging for a stick to bite down on
Even after eight hours, Hamish was still feeling the effects. He later summed up the ordeal in one word: “unbelievable.”
But honestly, his face in the video tells the whole story—words aren’t even necessary.
