In Ghana, superstitions and beliefs range from practical advice and social decorum to the downright bizarre and bewildering. Always entertaining and sometimes very informative, here are a few common (and some really outlandish) superstitions.
It is a grave insult to give anyone anything with your left hand, as it is the hand traditionally used to clean oneself after using the bathroom
Herbal alcohol bitters cure a host of ailments such as sexual dysfunction and waist pain
Dwarfs with feet pointing backwards live in the forest and will kidnap you if you go deep in the night (you’ll only be returned home after several months!)
The crocodiles in Paga hold the souls of the village’s deceased
When two people say the same thing at the same time, someone is gossiping about them
If you paint your chickens fluorescent yellow or pink, baboons will not attack them
Maame Water, the deity mermaid of the oceans, demands peace during the run up to Homowo festival so no music can be played in the coastal areas
An itchy palm means money is coming your way soon
Whistling at night attracts evil spirits and ghosts
If you sit on a fufu mortar, you will have trouble with penile erections
Itchy feet mean you will be travelling soon
If you sell your soul to the juju man for money, he will come to collect sooner rather than later and you will turn into a goat
Nails should not be clipped at night as they are pieces of your body and can be taken by the spirits to perform evil acts against you
A man will become stupid if he washes a woman’s underwear
Bathing in warm water makes you age faster
If a pregnant woman goes out after 6 pm, the evil eye will harm the baby in the womb
If you stay sealed inside a coffin for a week, you will become rich once you’re out
Walking through cobwebs accidentally is seen as an evil attack on the spirit
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