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.
Some actions that are categorized as taboos
have a social or religious explanation which
restricts people from engaging in them. As a
result, some of these taboos still influence
how many African communities handle certain
issues.
Here are 5 African taboos that people have
refused to let go.
1. Consummating with relatives
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.
For some communities, both individuals found
culprits are killed to conciliate the gods or
ancestors.
2. Disrespecting the elderly
One of the core fabrics of African customs is
‘Respect’. Hence, disrespecting an elder is
considered misgivings to the young person.
It also is a common practice that young
people are not allowed to shake hands with
an elderly person, or for opposite sex (either
married or single) to hold hands or display any
romantic display in the presence of an elderly
person.
3. Family and staying In-lawscidental or
intentional
Pot breaking is still c
In many communities in Africa, there are
taboos as regards relating to one’s in-laws or
marriage relatives. instance, it is
unacceptable for a father-in-law to visit while
the husband is not around.
Also, some communities disallowed not
naming a first child after the groom’s father or
mother – based on the sex of the new baby.
4. Pot breaking – Ac
onsidered a great taboo in many parts of
Africa, including Southern Nigeria. This object
made of clay is generally considered the
uterus of women which have to be handled
with care.
Among the Gikuyu tribe (the largest ethnic
group in Kenya) and Igbo tribe of Nigeria, a
special ritual is performed to appease the god
and cleanse a woman who broke a cooking
or water pot.
5 . Food taboo
Food taboo is also one practice that
modernism has failed to take away from
many communities in Africa. For instance,
consumption of some fruits is strongly
discouraged for women during pregnancy.
In some Central African countries, eating of
eggs is forbidden for children.
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