This archive report was first published on 13 September 2019.
Friday the 13th: Unveiling West Africa's Fascinating Superstitions ¶
Published on September 13, 2019, this article delves into the world of West African superstitions, exploring nine intriguing beliefs that have been passed down through generations.
The fear of Friday the 13th, also known as 'paraskevidekatriaphobia', has its roots in the story of Jesus' last supper, which included 13 people, including Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. This day's reputation worsened when Italian composer Gioachino Rossini, who regarded Fridays as unlucky, died on Friday, November 13, 1868.
"He was surrounded to the last by admiring friends; and if it be true that, like so many Italians, he regarded Fridays as an unlucky day and thirteen as an unlucky number, it is remarkable that on Friday 13th of November he passed away," Henry Sutherland Edwards wrote in his 1869 biography of Rossini.
Over the years, Friday the 13th has maintained a bad reputation, with Pope John Paul II getting shot on this day and rapper Tupac Shakur dying on the same fateful day. The classic 1980 film 'Friday The 13th' has contributed to this universal day of bad luck.
However, West Africa has its own set of fascinating superstitions. In Nigeria, cats are believed to be witches in disguise, and whistling at night is thought to attract evil spirits and snakes. Albinos are also believed to be the cure for everything, with their body parts being sold for rituals.
Other superstitions include hitting one's left foot on a stone or object being a sign of trouble, wearing a safety pin under one's clothes to protect babies from being possessed, and letting someone get in between you and someone else being bad luck. An itchy palm is believed to signal good luck, and dreaming of fish means getting pregnant.
These superstitions are a testament to the rich cultural heritage of West Africa, where tradition and folklore continue to play a significant role in everyday life.
