The “Mushary” craze involves jumping headfirst from a height into a bush.Do people wear helmets or padding while doing so? Of course not.If there is anything young people like more than a trend, it’s a trend with the potential to injure yourself.
The craze has its roots in France, where it began as part of an anti-American protest.
It is now surging in popularity again, with a dedicated fanbase. So dedicated that participants have even carried on after cracked ribs and bloody injuries.The private Facebook group for “Musharies”? “Mushies”? (Not sure what they call themselves), has almost 350 members.
The purpose of the group is to share videos of big jumps - there’s no point in doing something foolish if you can’t share video evidence of it! As well as give location tips on good bushes to jump into.
Hopefully, it also gives location tips on the nearest hospital.
Instead of protective gear, groups of youngsters are donning boiler suits before propelling themselves into the greenery.
Why is this a trend? Well, three bush-jumpers told VICE they “do it for a laugh after parties”.One participant said, “Mushary is an instinctive thing. You don’t think about it, you just do it. You’re not alert enough to think about the danger”. The fact that they are not thinking, will come as a surprise to no-one.
The group says that one of their favourite spots is an electric generator, which they can throw themselves off and into the bushes below.
Well, it certainly makes the milk crate challenge seem like a sensible thing to do.
Photo: Vice