Like we were taught during our primary education about culture, culture is the way of life including ideas, beliefs, customs, and social behavior of a particular people/society.
We all (no matter our regions, country, or placement around the globe) belong to a society or a group of people, which of course have ideas and beliefs that are peculiar to them.
That is what brings me to this question that was asked in the 2nd week and 3rd edition of the Hive Learners Community Weekly Featured Contents
In each culture, some beliefs have been passed down through generations, in this era you probably find it difficult to relate to them. But they are still being practiced.
Tell us about it, and if you feel it should be abolished.
For me, I was born and bred in a different state and city far away from my hometown, in fact, I haven't gone there almost all my life so I am not so aware of some beliefs that are practiced by my people.
To answer this question I had to interview my mum, asking her this question, and I'm glad she delivered. I will be sharing some of the beliefs that are unique to the Igbo tribe and are still practiced.
◾Ogbanje: Ogbanje is a term used to refer to children who recycle around life. That is a child who comes and goes. It is a common word in Igbo, Yoruba tribes, and probably other tribes in Nigeria. I think it is called 'Abiku' in the Yoruba Language.
There is a belief that when a child continuously falls Ill, it is interpreted that the ancestors are causing the sickness and sickness signifies a need to identify who the child reincarnated to be. In the cause of this, they might realize that the child is a reincarnation of maybe the late grandmother or the late distant uncle, etc.
Sometimes it may seem real because that child might possess a birthmark or a character trait of a late member of the family. One thing that is peculiar to Ogbanjes is that they die very young and reincarnate again.
In some places, this belief is still practiced, maybe not as strong as before due to modernization and religious change.
In my opinion, I would love it if such belief is abolished, as this can have a negative effect on some children and families.
◾ Warning Sign:
N.B: That is not what this is called, I just had to give it a title.
This is about a man who wants to get married to a woman. By culture, when a man has the intention of seeking the hand of a woman in marriage one of the first things he is supposed to do is to visit his inlaws to be.
Now when he is going there for the first time he is meant to go with a jar/calabash of wine placing it on his head while he walks to his in-laws-to-be house.
If by chance while on his way to his in-laws-to-be house with the jar/calabash of wine on his head his leg hits against a stone or anything at all, that is a bad omen.
Or if he hits his leg and the jar falls off his head that means he shouldn't continue in his intention.
This is one great belief that is still recognized by many to this day.
But these days it might not be visible because people are no longer carrying jars or calabashes instead they go with bottles of wine.
I can't say if I want this to no longer stand, sometimes it actually works.
Thank you for reading🤗
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