Everyday Activities That Were Once Forbidden
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Throughout history, numerous actions that we now consider normal were once deemed illegal. These activities, varying from harmless pastimes to essential human rights, were banned for reasons that seem strange to us today. Out of fear, superstition, or the desire for control over society, many laws were enacted to regulate how people lived their daily lives.
The laws that restricted these activities reveal the complexities of past civilizations and their evolving attitudes toward personal freedom and societal norms. Here are everyday actions that were once punishable by law across different cultures and eras.
Drinking Coffee (Ottoman Empire)
Coffeehouses were once vibrant centers of social life, particularly in the Ottoman Empire. These establishments became hubs for political discussion and intellectual exchange. However, Sultan Murad IV saw them as breeding grounds for dissent and rebellion. In the early 17th century, he banned coffee, along with alcohol and tobacco, fearing that the gatherings in coffeehouses could lead to political unrest.
The punishment for violating the ban was severe: those caught drinking coffee could be beaten or even executed. Despite the Sultan’s efforts, coffee continued to be consumed in secret, and by the end of the 17th century, the ban was lifted, allowing coffee to regain its place in Ottoman society.
Playing Chess (Islamic Caliphates)
Though chess is now celebrated as a game of intellect, it was once considered subversive in parts of the Islamic world. In the 9th century, the caliph Al-Mutawakkil banned the game, seeing it as a distraction from religious duties and an avenue for gambling. Religious scholars argued that the game promoted idle behavior, as it required players to focus on competition rather than prayer.
Despite the ban, chess remained popular, especially among intellectuals, and clandestine chess clubs flourished. The game would eventually be embraced again, particularly as attitudes shifted toward intellectual pursuits, but for centuries, it was regarded with suspicion in many Muslim-majority regions.
Celebrating Christmas (Puritan England and America)
Today, Christmas is a time of celebration and family gatherings, but in the 17th century, it was considered a sinful holiday by Puritan authorities. Puritans viewed Christmas as a pagan festival, full of excess and revelry, which they believed encouraged immoral behavior. During the English Civil War, the Puritan Parliament banned Christmas celebrations in 1647.
The same sentiment was echoed in the American colonies, particularly in Puritan Massachusetts, where celebrating Christmas was illegal from 1659 to 1681. Those caught partaking in festive activities could be fined. It wasn’t until the 19th century, with the influence of European immigrants and the publication of works like A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, that Christmas was redefined as a family-oriented holiday in the West.
Whistling in Public (Medieval Europe)
Whistling may seem like an innocent gesture today, but during medieval Europe, it was banned for far more sinister reasons. In regions like England and France, it was believed that whistling at night could summon evil spirits or was a signal used by criminals to communicate. This superstition led to laws that prohibited whistling in public after dark.
It was believed that outlaws used whistles to coordinate their illicit activities, and local authorities would often fine or publicly shame individuals caught whistling. Even sailors were not exempt—whistling on ships could lead to punishment, as it was thought to bring bad luck or summon storms. Over time, this superstition faded, but remnants of it can still be found in some cultures today, where whistling indoors or after dark is considered bad luck.
Night Walking (Feudal Japan)
In feudal Japan, walking outside after dark was considered a crime. Samurai patrols, known as doshin, enforced strict curfews, and commoners who ventured outside without proper authorization risked arrest or even execution. Nighttime was believed to be the domain of the yakuza, assassins, and other criminals, and the government imposed curfews to maintain order.
Villages would lock their gates at dusk, and only those with special passes, like traveling merchants, could venture out at night. This strict control over nighttime activity was also a way for the ruling class to limit the peasantry’s movements and prevent secret meetings or uprisings.
Public Dancing (18th Century Europe)
In 18th-century Europe, particularly in Protestant regions such as Geneva, public dancing was deemed sinful. Religious authorities believed that dancing, especially between men and women, could lead to immoral behavior, including lust and promiscuity. As a result, many Protestant communities banned public dancing.
Towns with strong Calvinist influences went so far as to raid dance halls and punish dancers with fines or public humiliation. Despite these laws, underground dances persisted, with people gathering in secret to defy the authorities. It wasn’t until the late 19th century that dancing in public was widely accepted once again, as cultural attitudes toward personal expression began to shift.
Wearing Pants (19th Century France)
For much of the 19th century, it was illegal for women to wear pants in France, except in rare circumstances. The law, enacted in 1800, was designed to enforce traditional gender roles, with pants being seen as masculine attire. Women who defied this law risked fines or arrest. Those who worked in professions that required pants, such as horseback riding or factory work, could apply for special permits.
Over time, however, the law became less enforced, and by the early 20th century, icons like Coco Chanel challenged gender norms by wearing pants in public. The ban wasn’t officially lifted until 2013, highlighting the long-lasting struggle for gender equality in fashion.
Key Takeaways
History is full of strange laws that prohibited everyday activities we now take for granted. From whistling in public to wearing pants, these laws reflect the changing norms and values of different societies.
As societal values have evolved, many of these laws have been repealed, and the activities once deemed illegal are now celebrated and embraced as part of our everyday lives.
