The Yoruba people are an ethnic group that are majorly found western part of Nigeria. They are one of the numerous tribes in Nigeria and can also be found in other countries like Benin, Ghana, Togo, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Senegal, The Gambia and Brazil.
This ethnic group, like every other ethnic group, are known for their religious as well as cultural belief and traditions some of which are funny and nothing but just myths and superstitions (if you ask me).
Here we bring to you 10 funny and superstitious beliefs of Ythe oruba people;
1. Pregnant women must attach safety pin to their clothes
Yoruba people believe when a woman is pregnat, she has to attach safety pins to her clothes. Failure to that means the pregnant woman 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
A person who plays with an umbrella when it isn’t raining is only inviting a non-stop rain on his/her wedding day.
3. Whistling at night
When you whistle at night, you’re simply calling on snakes and other reptiles into the house as the yorubas believe that whistling is one of the ways snakes and reptiles communicate.
4. Egret gives white pigment on your finger nails
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. Pregnant women are forbidden to 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
The Yorubas believe that when you beat a child with a broom, you’ll render him impotent.
7. It’s bad to drink coconut water
According to Yoruba belief, anyone who drinks coconut water risks becoming mentally dull and retarded.
8. Do not look at a mirror at night
This tribe beliefs 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
If a person crosses over you, your offspring will look like that person except the person crosses over you back.
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