A Taboo is an implicit prohibition on something (usually against an utterance or behavior) based on a cultural sense that it is excessively repulsive or, perhaps, too sacred for ordinary people.Such prohibitions are present in virtually all societies. On a comparative basis, what may be declared unfit for one group by custom or religion may be perfectly acceptable to another.
Taboos are often meant to protect the human individual, but there are numerous other reasons for their existence. An ecological or medical background is apparent in many, including some that are seen as religious or spiritual in origin. Taboos can help use a resource more efficiently, but when applied to only a subsection of the community they can also serve to suppress said subsection of the community. A taboo acknowledged by a particular group or tribe as part of their ways aids in the cohesion of the group, helps that particular group to stand out and maintain its identity in the face of others and therefore creates a feeling of “belonging”.
Taboos exist to regulate human behavior, A Taboo is similar to a rule of law, but they could be about trivial things such as table manners and event rules. Taboos are especially serious for serious cases.
Beliefs And Taboos
In the traditional African setting, way before civilization, communities were guided by beliefs and traditions. Among these beliefs and practices were taboos that were seen as social and religious customs placing restrictions on particular things, actions and persons.
Religious, social, cultural taboo is practiced in every part of the world.
Although some of these taboos have been overtaken by events, there are those that still influence how some Africa communities handle certain occurrences. There are some of the most fascinating African taboos you need to know, especially if you plan on traveling there.
Africa is a predominately a traditional society that has evolved over the years. It is interesting that there are still many taboos which have refused to go away despite advancement of many countries in the region.
5 practical Acts Believed To Be A Taboo
DISRESPECTING THE ELDERS
Many African communities consider any form of disrespect to the elderly an automatic curse. In fact, some communities do not allow young people of the opposite sex (whether married or dating) to hold hands or engage in any form of caressing in the presence of an elderly person. It is considered disrespectful.
They tend to be reserved, proud of their cultural heritage, have good manners, elegant, expressive speech, and avoid unnecessary conflict.
INCEST
Having sex with one’s relative is a taboo considered as the worst form of sin in most African communities. As such, people that were known to have engaged in this act are usually outcast. The level of modernization in many communities have not stopped this practice.
In Africa, it is believed that engaging in such act attracts many tragedies to the family and the community. Poverty, epilepsy, stunted progress and occurrence of epidemics were cited as consequences.
SINGING IN A BATHROOM
It is a taboo to sing while taking your bath. It is feared that one will mysteriously lose the mother to death just by refusing to stop such a habit. The scientific explanation for this is not hard to discern.
Soaps used in the olden days were highly acidic and therefore poisonous if swallowed in sufficiently large quantities. The essence of the taboo then is to prevent people from the harmful effect if unsafe traditional soap. Given the special bonding between mothers and their children in traditional societies where children are breast-fed for one year or more, the possibility of causing death of one’s own mother is for most Africans, the worst case scenario in life.
Leaving Food Overnight without charcoal
It is a taboo to leave soup overnight without putting in charcoal. The personal explanation to this taboo is that a ghost who visits the house at night might dip his/her finger in it. As a result whoever eats the soup the next day may fall sick and die. The scientific explanation for this taboo is very interesting. Since charcoal is known to have the natural properties for absorbing the carbon content of liquids and thus prevent the action of micro-organisms on the soup, the soup with charcoal can therefore stay overnight without going bad. The taboo is therefore intended for the medical protection and well being of the community.
SHOES AT SACRED PLACES.
In some places, shoes are not worn inside a house; like the shrine or holy land. At the mouth of the shrine, the visitors pulls off their shoes before entering the house.
More will be made known to you, when you make that African trip.