Superstitions are a part of everyday life in almost all cultures of the world. Although advances in science have caused many to grow cynical, many still believe that such superstitions have a logical explanation.
In Africa, Nigerians are among some of the most superstitious people. Among each tribe, there are are various superstitions. It is however interesting to note that some superstitions are common across several Nigerian tribes, causing many to believe that there is an element of truth in them.
Some of such superstitions are:
1. People crossing over you: Many Nigerians would insist you cross over them back to break the supposed curse There are various versions to this particular superstition, but the most common one is that if someone crosses over your leg or generally any part of your body, the person has to cross over back the same way, or you will stop
growing. Or according to some, you might lose that body part.
2. Hitting a man with a broom: The broom used for sweeping has a lot of superstitious beliefs attached to it. There is also the believe that hitting a man with
a broom will render him impotent. Unless the man takes the broom and hits the person who hit him with it seven times.
3. Fetching water at night: Superstitions abound around the water well, known in Yoruba as ‘Konga’ Especially among the
Yoruba people, it is believed that if you fetch water from the well at night, you will be slapped by an evil spirit. This
though might have been to prevent young
ones from visiting the water well at night.
4. Breaking a mirror: A broken mirror is a sign.of bad luck Generally, many believe that breaking a mirror is a sign of very bad luck. There is a superstition that breaking a mirror leads to seven years of bad luck.
5. Whistling at night: Whistling at night might bring snakes to you. Many love whistling along to songs. However it
has been revealed that while whistling might be okay during the day, whistling at night will bring snakes and evil spirits crawling into bed with you.
6. Killing the wall gecko: Killing a wall gecko.could lead to the house
collapsing. The wall gecko with its luminous skin is scary to some. There is however a superstition that killing a wall gecko leads to bad luck in the house and on its occupants. Some have even.said it could lead to the house collapsing. The Yoruba call the wall gecko – ‘Omo onile’ which loosely translated means ‘Son of the house owner’.
7. Kicking a stone: If your left leg hits a stone on your way , you should go back home. Generally, some say it is a bad omen to strike your leg against a stone. In Nigerian society hitting of your left leg mistakenly against a stone or stump is seen as an evil omen or warning to turn back from where ever the person might be going. Many believe that
failure to heed the warning
could lead to possibly loss of life during the journey.
8. Hooting owls: Owls are closely linked with witchcraft. When an Owl hoots on a rooftop or on a nearby tree, you should not go to sleep. Nigerian superstition believe that it is a bad omen. The hooting of an owl means that someone in that house will soon die. In Nigeria and some
other cultures, owls are said to represent
witchcraft.
9. Black cats: Black cats are viewed as evil by superstitious people. This is one superstition that can be found in almost every culture on earth. It is generally accepted that black cats mystical, sneaky, and even evil. Coming across a black cat anywhere is viewed as an omen that evil is about to befall the person.
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