SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEFS THAT WE WERE MADE TO BELIEVE AS CHILDREN GROWING UP IN NIGERIA

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We need to give our selfs "three gbosa" for surviving childhood as an African child and as a Nigerian in particular. There were lots of events that made growing up in Nigeria memorable and when we look back and remember them we smile. Some of these include superstitions that we were made to belief. We grew up to hear them, we believe them without double checking to verify if it's true or not. Well, as children we'd not have doubted what our parents or family friends tell us because we expect them to tell us what is right.

Superstition is described as any belief, based on fear or ignorance, that is inconsistent with the known laws of science or with what is considered as true and rational; esp., such a belief in charms, omens, the supernatural, etc.

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Some of these superstitious beliefs are used to instill fear or to compel us to do what we don't want to do. One superstition that make me give myself a knock on the head whenever I remember I did it is anytime I lose a tooth, my dad would tell me to pick 7-10 small stones, and throw the broken tooth and the stones on the roof if I want my tooth to ever grow again. As if that is not enough, you must run inside the house as fast as you can after throwing them because if you also hear the sound of the tooth and stones touching the roof, the teeth will not grow. Come and see Usain Bolt in action lol. I have had to cry on some days when the tooth refuse to fall on the roof or when I had to hear the sound on the roof because I couldn't run inside the house as fast as possible.

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There are some superstitions that a lot of people still believe till date even as adults. The first question you'd be asked if you complain of sore throat is that "did you spit on the floor?". It is believed that you have a sore throat when you spit on the floor and someone step on it. Another one that a lot of people still believe till date is that hitting your left leg against a stone is a sign of bad omen. As a typical Nigerian the next thing people do once they mistakenly hit their left leg against a stone is to start praying against any form of bad luck that may want to befall them that day.

This one is quite funny even though it's being a long time I see people do it. It was an interesting one some years back. There is a belief that a man will be impotent if a broom is used to beat him and it can only be reversed by hitting the person who hit him seven times with the same broom.

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It is also believed that when you have itchy palms it is a sign of good luck - a huge amount of money is coming your way.

I'd conclude by sharing one that I'm still guilty of till date (covers face). We were made to believe that if for instance you are walking on a foot path and two people are coming towards you, it is bad luck to allow them pass through you. I avoid that from happening till date lol.



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