Superstitions in Nigeria

If someone is suspected to be a revenant, throwing sand on them is believed to make them vanish to the spirit world.

Published on: August 25, 2024 (Updated on: September 11, 2024)

Superstitions are deeply imbued in the cultural fabric of societies around the world, often serving as both explanations for the unexplainable and guidelines for behavior. In Nigeria, a country rich in diverse cultures, languages, and traditions, superstitions are prevalent and influence personal conduct, social norms, and collective beliefs.

Particularly before the rise of the internet, these superstitions were passed down through oral tradition, emphasizing community wisdom and shared experiences. While modern technology has introduced a myriad of influences, many of these superstitions continue to resonate in contemporary Nigerian society.

Disclaimer
The superstitions listed herein are reflections of cultural beliefs and practices in Nigeria and are not intended to endorse or validate any of these beliefs. They represent the perspectives and traditions of various communities and may vary across different regions and cultures in Nigeria. Readers are encouraged to approach these superstitions with an open mind and recognize their role in shaping cultural identity and social norms. Beliefs may change over time, and interpretations may differ among individuals.

Superstitions in Nigeria

Gray Hair in Childhood

Having gray hair during childhood is thought to signify that the child will be exceptionally wealthy when they grow up, reflecting a belief in the preternatural signs of future prosperity.

Bald Head at a Young Age

In some communities, a bald head before adulthood is interpreted to signify that a child will grow up to be wealthy.

Flat-Footedness

Being flat-footed is often viewed with suspicion in Nigerian culture, particularly in the context of marriage. It is believed that a flat-footed woman may impoverish whoever she marries.

Lacking an Adam's Apple

In some Nigerian cultures, the absence of an Adam's apple is associated with the inability to keep secrets. It is believed that those without one are more likely to reveal confidential information.

Itchy Palms

An itchy palm is commonly viewed as a sign of good fortune, particularly relating to financial gain—where the right palm suggests incoming money, and the left implies loss.

Gold Spirit

There is a belief in a "gold spirit" that may confront individuals who mine for gold. This spirit is thought to protect the gold and may bring misfortune or danger to those who attempt to extract it without respect for the attendant spiritual protocols.

You Don't Count Someone Else's Children

Counting another person's children is seen as taboo, often linked to attracting misfortune to those children.

Talking While Plucking Chicken Feathers

There is a superstition that if you talk while plucking the feathers of a chicken during its preparation for cooking, the feathers will regrow. This results in endless preparation, making the cooking process more cumbersome and tedious. The belief underscores the importance of focus and reverence during food preparation rituals, as talking is thought to disrupt the process.

Baby Sucking His Toes

There is a superstition that when a baby sucks on his toe, it signifies a desire to eat chicken. This belief reflects the cultural connections between children's behaviors and their wants or cravings, indicating that such actions might be interpreted as non-verbal communication of hunger or specific food cravings.

Sleeping Face Up with Feet on Wall

It is believed that if you sleep with your face up and your legs resting against the wall, you are perceived to be a witch. This sleeping position is thought to be linked to engaging in astral travel, a practice associated with witchcraft and supernatural experiences. Consequently, this peculiar way of sleeping is regarded with suspicion, as it suggests a connection to otherworldly activities or powers.

Eating in the Dark

Eating in darkness is strongly discouraged, as it is thought to allow the dead to join in the meal, posing risks of serious illness or death.

Rubbing Dog's Eye Gunk in Your Eye

There is a superstition that if you take the eye gunk from a dog's eye and rub it in your own, you will start to see ghosts and apparitions from other dimensions. This belief is rooted in the notion that dogs possess the ability to perceive entities and characters that are invisible to humans. As a result, their occasional barking or reacting to unseen threats is often interpreted as a sign that they are sensing something beyond human perception. By using the eye gunk, it is thought that one could gain access to these hidden sights and experiences, thereby opening themselves up to encounters with supernatural beings.

Picking up and Eating Food that has Dropped to the floor

When food falls to the ground, it is not advisable to pick it up and eat again, as it is believed that the devil has already consumed it.

Sweeping at Night

Sweeping one’s home at night is deemed a bad omen, signaling the potential to sweep away one’s prosperity and good fortune.

Spitting and Sore Throat

It is believed that having a sore throat could occur if a person’s spit is stepped on by another, attributing personal health states to social interactions.

Cutting Trees

Some trees are believed to be inhabited by spirits, and cutting them might lead to confrontations with these spirits. To avoid potential misfortune, it is common for individuals to seek permission from the spirits or perform specific rituals before cutting these trees, particularly among those who are initiated in spiritual practices.

One notable example is the Iroko tree, which is recognized in Yoruba culture as being inhabited by a spirit referred to as Ọ̀rọ̀. In Yoruba mythology, Ọ̀rọ̀ is a spirit that delights in pounded yam and is known to frequent the market in search of the best spices to prepare delicious soups that accompany his favorite dish. If one were to cut down the Iroko tree, they might find a nice bowl of pounded yam and soup at the site. However, should one be unfortunate, Ọ̀rọ̀ might be nearby and could reprimand them, sometimes even resorting to flogging for the act of cutting the tree without proper respect or ritual.

Whistling at Night

Whistling at night is typically viewed as taboo, as it is believed to attract evil spirits or snakes, which are seen as harbingers of bad luck.

Superstitions Related to Childbearing and Parenting

Going to the Market at Noon While Pregnant

Pregnant women are advised to avoid going to the market at noon, as it is thought this can expose the child to negative energies or spirits, potentially leading to possession.

Naming Ceremony

A child's name holds significant weight in Nigerian culture; it is believed to have a profound impact on the child's destiny, encouraging parents to carefully select meaningful names.

Crossing Over Someone

If a woman crosses over someone, her child may resemble the person whom she crossed over when she gives birth.

Widowhood Rites

There are strict customs regarding widowhood in certain cultures, with specific mourning behaviors rooted in the belief that neglecting them could lead to misfortune.

Death and Spirits

Many believe that the deceased can communicate with the living. Dreams or signs may be interpreted as messages from loved ones who have passed away, highlighting a continuous connection between the living and the dead.

Fading Stars

A fading star is viewed as an omen that someone has died, illustrating the profound connection between celestial phenomena and human life.

Throwing Sand on a Revenant (Ghost)

If someone is suspected to be a "revenant" or ghost, throwing sand on them is believed to make them vanish immediately.

Tapping Your Back

In some cultures, tapping one’s back is thought to prevent bad spirits from following someone, emphasizing the desire to maintain spiritual harmony.

You Don't Eat Vultures

In many Nigerian cultures, vultures are regarded as sacred, and consuming vulture meat is believed to have fatal consequences.

Heeding an Unknown Voice

There is a superstition that answering to an unknown voice may indicate that you have been called by a malevolent spirit or an unseen person. This belief serves as a cautionary reminder to remain vigilant and discerning about whom you respond to in your environment, as it suggests that engaging with unknown entities could lead to misfortune or spiritual disturbances.

Conclusion

Superstitions play a vital role in the Nigerian cultural landscape, serving as a means to navigate everyday life, influence social behaviors, and articulate community values. These beliefs often resonate deeply within the hearts of individuals, establishing connections across generations.

While the modern world continues to evolve, many of these superstitions remain integral to the identities of various ethnic groups within Nigeria, illustrating the enduring legacy of tradition and the quest for understanding and protection in an unpredictable world.