Some taboos in Yoruba land
"Cultural differences should not separate us from each other, but rather cultural diversity brings a collective strength that can benefit all of humanity."
I am proud to be a Yoruba lady and also its culture is exceptional. In all parts of the world, Yoruba is known for its obedience to some taboos and how to maintain them so as to live a fulfilled life.
Nigeria has a lot of cultural practices, which a lot of it has gone into extinction because they aren't considered powerful as it ought to be. Yoruba being the largest ethnic group in Nigeria, its people are so proud of the culture in it.
Yorubas are rich in culture and tradition, which most if not all, practice till today. Every ethnic group saw the need in bringing up some rules to protect the society and there are sanctions and punishment to whoever go against them. Every rule in all ethnic groups is there to be respected and to be followed. The rules are also laid down to sanitize the society from cultural abuses and this led to the establishment of taboos and abominations.
Several information is being passed across to all young and older ones on how things should be done for them to be protected and this emanation of these taboos are a result of an event that has happened in the past and also a way to make the people be cultured.
These taboos must never be done or trampled upon, else, you are invoking the anger of the gods and the higher authorities.
One thing I cherish most in my culture is that we hold high esteem to these taboos because they are what speaks about our identities and also a way to protect everyone from calamities befalling them.
So, let's take a look at some of the taboos as I have researched on;
Sitting on a mortar: I remembered my mom cautioning me when I was young never to sit on a mortar again after trying it one day. It's dangerous among the Yoruba taboos, and when I try asking why it is so, and what would happen if one sits on it? I wasn't given any reply on that until I researched it recently. Mortar is used to prepare meals and so, it is disrespectful when you sit on something used in making meals which should be considered as personal hygiene. This taboo is used to strike fear into the hearts of people, but seriously speaking, it is not ideal to sit on a mortar.
Killing of vulture: Vulture is a scavenging animal that is not common in most places. Therefore, a serious warning was being made for anyone not to kill an animal that feeds on dead animals because if they do, such a person will die. I still do not know if it is still effective till today but as it is, one needs to obey every warning made for taboos.
Carrying a ladder on your shoulder: This was shunned and made everyone realize that it is wrong for a person to carry a ladder on his or her shoulder because it symbolizes a coffin. If you observe how a coffin is being carried when a dead person is being placed inside, same thing with carrying a ladder on one's shoulder and we are told not to because it is a taboo in the Yoruba culture.
Talking while removing chicken feathers: This has always been a warning to us even till today. It is said that when removing chicken feathers, you must not talk because if you do, the feathers would keep increasing, but funny enough, we are only taught to be fast in doing such things.
Collecting rain with the hand: I know this is very common to every child because I have done it before. When it's raining, we would all stay outside while we collect rain with our hands and then drink it because we believe rainwater is always sweet in the mouth, but it's among the taboos as they say thunder will strike one´s hand when in the process. This isn't true though it is just to teach us in practicing personal hygiene.
Beating a male child with a broom: Why do mothers usually use brooms on male children and not female ones? They believe that when you do that, his sexual organ will disappear. I still do not believe this because I do use broom to beat my brother and his sexual organ never disappears. Lol
It is a form of avoiding physical abuse and protecting a child from it.
Pregnant women walking in the sun: It is a taboo for a woman who is pregnant to walk when the sun is out because it is believed that such an unborn child will be possessed by demons or spirits. Is this really true also? I think it is a way of protecting the pregnant woman from staying under the sun too much.
When a dog or cat cries: This is very common too because we believe when any of these animals cries, they have seen a spirit or someone has died. Also, when these animals cry, something bad is about to happen to a relative who keeps them as pets. Then, according to the Yoruba, once these animals are killed, the evil will be averted.
When a king looks into his crown: It is a taboo for a king who is on the throne to look into his crown and if they do, they are calling upon death. This is the reason you don't see a king removing his crown from his head except if he wants to relax or sleep on his bed. There are many more taboos in all ethnic groups but we should understand that these are just there to protect and maintain our lifestyles.
Thanks for reading
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[March 11, 2022] (No 70 article for the year)
These are indeed some interesting superstitious beliefs indeed. I guess a lot of them were designed to maintain order and, as you said, hygiene, to make sure that you are hardworking (no talking while removing feathers), and to protect against abuse.