In the past week, our weather condition in west Africa has changed. Predominantly, there are two notable climatic seasons in this part of the continent. The rainy and dry season. The dry season, which is what we are experiencing now is featured by the heavy radiation of the sun. People have referred to it as scourging because of the intensity of the heat.
Probably, this is the period when black people become darker in their skin pigment, for the sake of the burns from the scourging sun. So, when you see a dark-skinned person, it isn't a curse or spell, it is just one of those natural phenomena.
Anthropology has it that, not only the skin is affected. The hair becomes curly. Naturally, through the burns from the sun, a black man's hair takes the shape of spotting waves, resulting from the heat of the sun.
Mythology Of the Sun
Some of the prevailing myth that has been held in high rank among people of different race ea concerning the sun are as follows:
•Pregnant women should not walk under the sun. You might have heard this before now.
The myth that pregnant women may be possessed by evil spirits or their unborn children demonized when they walk under the sun.
This had caused many pregnant women to stay indoors, the fear of being inflicted.
•There is also the thought that when a pregnant woman walks under the sun, there is the possibility that she gives birth to an albino. In some strata, albinos are treated like accursed humans and must not live amidst freeborn. In part of Cameron, before the advent of Christian missionaries,
Albinos are used as sacrificial items.
For this cause, they are kept away from the public if peradventure, an albino is born to a family.
•A special one from the Yoruba race.
The sun is a jealous deity.
As such it comes out flaming when is angry. The question here is that if the sun is angry why would it only come out with so much intensity during the dry season?
Benefits of the sun...
°Sun helps in drying grains and other agricultural produce. In traditional farming, the sun plays a vital role in the planting of seedlings too.
°It helps to reduce blood pressure in mammals, especially humans. This is the reason we are grateful for this wonderful gift of nature.
°Exposure to the sun also helps in reducing the risk of cancer.
° Bacteria don't live long under the sun. I would rather say here that our forefathers knew this truth, that's why they solved at drying their fish, meat, and whatnot. On human skin, when exposed to the sun, bacteria are reduced as much as possible.
°To an extent, the sun improves our mental health. It is scientifically proven that in places where the sun those not radiate, people may suffer Seasonal Affective Disorder.
°Improved Sleep
The sun helps to balance the secretion of melatonin and other hormones that helps human have sound sleep. Vitamin D which is also drawn from the sun helps a lot in this directive.
All these points put together can improve the immune system of an individual.
Possible Problems Caused By The Sun
• Dehydration is one of the problems caused by extended exposure to the sun. People who work under sunny conditions tend to drink water frequently to avoid dehydration. Like the camel, it is safer to have enough water to run our system during the dry season.
•Blindness can come as a result of staying too long under the sun without protection for the eyes.
The sun is no doubt a blessing to mankind and life depends solely on the tradition of the sun.
I don't know about the myth but the benefits of it surely make our lives better. God indeed is the most powerful and great artist and creator