Africa plays host to several superstitions and cultural beliefs, some of which might send chills down your spine and the others might be just plain hilarious. In this article, we take a look at eight of these interesting superstitions starting with one that borders on chastity.
1. Recommended for virgins
Virginity is still very much of a big deal in many African societies. Some strongly hold that an unmarried woman who has lost her virginity has been kicked out of her prime or become less valuable.
In these societies, women hit the peak and hallmark of female achievement when they get married to their husbands as pure, undefiled virgins. Such a woman is celebrated and held in high esteem. However, she might be ostracized if the reverse is the case.
It is, therefore, no wonder that in Rwandan society, virgins have a strict code of conduct even down to what they may or may not eat. In this East African country, a woman going out just to get a soft drink could say a lot about who she is.
Only virgins drink the orange flavour of Fanta soft drink in Rwanda. The Coca-Cola company which makes the Fanta drinks must be shocked to know that their commodity determines such intricate matters somewhere in the world.
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The Rwandans believe that Fanta orange is the most chaste of all the Fanta flavours, hence it is the perfect flavour for virgins who are expected to be chaste and pure.
This superstition is taken so seriously that if you are unmarried and order a different Fanta flavour at a bar or restaurant, you’re guaranteed to get a few judgmental looks.
2. Bearded goats
Still on Rwanda, we move to another superstition this time around involving goats. Goats are numerous on farms all over the country and they also feature heavily on the menus of most local restaurants.
However, women are encouraged not to eat goat meat because of certain negative connotations identified in goats. It is believed that if women eat goat meat, they could become as stubborn as the animal or even grow a beard.
3. Witches and geese
At an apartment complex in the Kenyan village of Kakamega, locals believe the resident geese only quack at witches. As a result, they are the only security required at the compound, and every time the geese quack, people are quite sure that there are some witches about.
4. Egg-eating fish
On Pemba Island, just off the coast of mainland Tanzania, a small shrine on the island sits among lush mangroves. Tanzanians visit the pond next to the shrine to make wishes and offerings by throwing an egg into the water. If the egg is eaten by the fish in the pond, it is said that your wish will be granted.
5. Even more eggs
After returning from the hospital in Uganda, ex-patients are encouraged to step on an egg in order to get rid of the illness once and for all. Ex-convicts sometimes take part in this ritual, too.
6. Ringing in the New Year
In Uganda, actions taken on New Year’s Day are said to set the tone for the rest of the year. Superstition states that Ugandans shouldn’t lend or receive money on January 1, or do too much work, lest they stay in debt for the year and never get to take a proper vacation.
7. Ominous owls
Seeing an owl in Kenya is considered to be a bad omen. It could indicate an upcoming funeral, trouble with work, or more or less anything unfortunate. It is also thought that shooing the owl away after seeing it or throwing salt in the fire will help to counteract the upcoming misery.
8. Itchy palms
In Kenya, if your right palm is itchy, people believe you will soon receive a windfall of money. You can’t scratch your right hand, however, as it will “scratch the money away.” Instead, you should scratch your left hand so that you don’t lose the money.
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