Ornamental chicken breeding clubs have emerged in Indonesia, Thailand, North America and even European countries such as the UK and France. Malaysia is however the epicenter of this cultural phenomenon. These chickens are prized for their build, size, behavior and showmanship by their owners and competitions or beauty contests as they are often described are held almost every week in at least one village in Malaysia. Judges sit around a square table inspecting each chicken for a few minutes trying to determine a champion specimen in its own weight class based on its stance, temperament and physical assets like wings, tails and comb. The walk or strut by an ornamental chicken in a beauty contest, much like a runway model, constitutes a large part of the scoring system. (Photo by Ernest Goh/2013 Sony World Photography Awards)

Every year in Fairbanks, Alaska, the World Ice Art Championships takes place, and it is no cute little side hobby. Praised as one of the world’s largest ice sculpting competitions and exhibitions, the World Ice Art Championships has grown into a month-long event featuring more than 70 teams from around the world. The works are stunning and often massive in both size and visual appeal.

Bangladeshi railway police try to clear line, as thousands of Bangladeshi Muslims gather to board trains to return home after attending three-day Islamic Congregation on the banks of the River Turag in Tongi, 20 kilometers (13 miles) north of the capital Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sunday, January 26, 2014. (Photo by A. M. Ahad/AP Photo)

French engineer and professional violinist Laurent Bernadac poses with the “3Dvarius”, a 3D printed violin made of transparent resin, during an interview with Reuters in Paris, France, September 11, 2015. (Photo by Christian Hartmann/Reuters)

A witch doctor prepares an offering for the inauguration of the World People's Conference on Climate Change and the Defense of Life, prior to the World Climate Change Conference, in Tiquipaya, Bolivia, October 10, 2015. Almost 150 nations, including major emitters led by China and the United States, have submitted plans to the United Nations for curbing greenhouse gas emissions blamed by the U.N. for causing more floods, droughts and heat waves. France will host the conference in Le Bourget, near Paris, from November 30 to December 11, 2015. (Photo by David Mercado/Reuters)

A indigenous man from the Tabajara tribe is seen in Tocantins river before the I World Games for Indigenous People in Palmas, Brazil, October 21, 2015. (Photo by Ueslei Marcelino/Reuters)

Droid BB-8 arrives at the world premiere of the film “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in Hollywood, California, December 14, 2015. (Photo by Mario Anzuoni/Reuters)

Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia competes in the women's 1500m semi-final during the 15th IAAF World Championships at the National Stadium in Beijing, China August 23, 2015. (Photo by Lucy Nicholson/Reuters)