When it comes to the people closest to us, Kenyan communities have developed several beliefs about the best ways to interact with each other. These beliefs cover a wide range of words and actions – both voluntary and involuntary – that are believed to affect future outcomes.
These beliefs are so detailed that they govern the very steps one should take! Stepping over someone, for example, is said to cause them not to grow. This belief is said to simply deter people from the unacceptable practice of stepping over one another by attaching it to an ill fate.
While you may be able to avoid intentionally stepping over another person, you may not be able to avoid accidentally tripping over a stone – an action said to indicate that someone is gossiping about you. Though the origin of this belief is unclear, it still gives pause to some Kenyans who may find themselves losing their footing as they go about daily life.
In the Somali community, two unique superstitions shaped their daily lives. One was that if you mentioned someone’s name in a room full of people, and that person entered the room shortly afterward, they were destined to have a long and prosperous life. It was as if the mere mention of their name invoked blessings. Another Somali superstition held that when your right eye twitched, it was a sign that you would soon encounter someone you hadn’t seen in a long time. This superstition brought a sense of anticipation and joy to those who experienced the peculiar sensation in their eye, as they believed it was a harbinger of reuniting with a long-lost friend or family member.
Among the Rabai people, beliefs took root about interacting even with oneself. Namely, they believed that looking at oneself in a mirror at night would attract bad luck. The belief is said to stem from dimmer lighting in traditional settings making mirror reflections an inaccurate representation of self.
Have you come across any of these beliefs? Do you know of any others? Let us know in the comments!