The Yorubas are no doubt very unique people. Their customs and traditions have travelled all over the world. These people of the southwestern region of Nigeria are arguably the largest ethnic group in the country.
This ethnic group, like every other ethnic group, is known for their religious as well as cultural belief and traditions some of which people consider funny and nothing but just myths and superstitions.
Here are 10 of these funny beliefs of the Yoruba people:
1. Pregnant women must attach a safety pin to their clothes
It is a thing of shame when a pregnant loses her child. However, it is even more horrific for the child to live and then be under the influence of the wrong spirits.
Yorubas believe that it is wrong for a pregnant woman not to attach safety pins to her clothes. That way, she is merely inviting spirits to possess her unborn child.
The safety pin (like the name goes), sort of protects the foetus and keep it safe from the spirit roaming about.
2. It is wrong to play with an umbrella when it isn’t raining
Yoruba children must know their limits when it comes to playing around. As much as children want to explore and have fun to the fullest, playing with the umbrella is a no-go area.
This is because the Yorubas believe that one who plays with an umbrella when it isn’t raining is only inviting a non-stop rain on his/her wedding day.
3. Do not whistle at night
The night comes with eerie fears and happenings. One of the ways the Yorubas avoid the dangers of the night is to place a ban on whistling during that period. It is said that when you whistle at night, you’re simply calling on snakes and other reptiles into the house.
4. Egret gives white fingers
It is not clear what the purpose of this is, however, it would probably have something to do with beauty. If you want white fingers, all you need to do is sing a song calling on egrets (leke leke) to give you white fingers.
5. A pregnant woman shouldn’t walk under the sun
As believed by the Yorubas, when a pregnant woman walks under the sun (especially around 1 pm), she’ll give birth to a disfigured child. So, pregnant women are advised to stay away from the sun.
6. Don’t beat a male child with a broom
It is a thing of failure for many men who lack the ability to satisfy a woman sexually. To this end, the Yorubas tread very carefully to avoid inflicting the male children with such plight. It is believed that when you beat a child with a broom, you’ll render him impotent.
7. It’s bad to drink coconut water
No one wants to be the dullard of the class or inferior among their contemporaries. Yoruba parents who love to brag about the brilliance of their children would therefore not do something that would affect their intelligence.
According to their belief, when a person drinks coconut water, the person will become dull.
8. Do not look at a mirror at night
According to the belief of the Yorubas, it is wrong to look at a mirror at night because, instead of seeing your reflection, you’ll see a ghost.
9. A piece of thread can magically stop hiccups
This works well with infants, according to their belief. When an infant is experiencing hiccups, just put a piece of thread on the child’s head to stop the hiccups.
10. Do not cross over a person and vice versa
This belief is especially taken very seriously when one comes in contact with someone whom they do not like for one reason or the other. It is believed that if a person crosses over you, your offspring will look like that person except the person crosses over you back.
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