Jamaican culture has been influenced by the indigenous peoples of the region, African slaves and the Europeans. Even superstitions that are adamantly believed today, are the same as the ones held as truth in Germany, Spain and England. Here we will take a brief look at some of those most prevalent in Jamaican culture today.
1 – If a black moth hovers around a particular person it means a family member has died and the spirit has taken the form of a moth to come and tell them.
2 – If an umbrella is opened up inside a house it will bring bad luck and the person who opened it will not marry.
3 – If anything is broken during a wedding reception, it means the marriage will also break.
4 – When leaving a wake (a celebration of a person who has recently passed away), simply touch the person who should be leaving with you. If you verbalize your intentions, the ghost of the deceased person will follow you home.
5 – On your way home from a wake, walk backwards and spin three times. If a ghost is following you, they will not be able to follow after this ritual. The belief is that ghosts can only walk in a straight line.
6 – If a woman who is pregnant climbs a fence, her child will become a thief.
7 – When a child is born, their umbilical cord (also called the naval string) must not be allowed to fall on the floor. The mother must guard it and, within three days of the birth, must bury it in the ground. A tree is to be planted on the spot, and will be known as the child’s naval string tree.
8 – Widows and widowers must wear red underwear to prevent their deceased spouses from coming back and having sexual intercourse with them.
9 – A baby boy who resembles his mother will be lucky, just as a baby girl who resembles her father will be lucky.
10 – When a loved one passes away it is very important for each family member to say goodbye to the corpse. Children are lifted up and passed over the corpse while saying their name. Not performing these tasks correctly could result in the spirit of the deceased person coming back to haunt the mourner. The same is true for anyone allowing their tears to fall on the body. Also, no one must kiss the body or their teeth will rot.
11 – A pregnant mother must be given whatever food she is craving or the child will have a birth mark resembling the food.
12 – If you bathe in the ocean on Good Friday you will turn into a fish.
13 – If you place your purse on the floor you will never have money.
14 – If women have a second toe that is longer than the big toe, they will beat their husband.
15 – If you brush your hair and some is left on the brush, do not throw it outside. A bird could pick it up and use it for their nest, which will give you a headache.
16- Never take the garbage out of your house after 6 pm. It is akin to taking the wealth out of your house.
17 – Do not give away a lamp you have used, it will bring bad luck.
18 – Having your hair cut or your nails trimmed on an odd day like Tuesday or Thursday will bring bad luck.
19 – When returning home at night, turn your back to the inside of the house as you enter. Any ghosts who happen to be following you will see your face and not enter.
20 – If you are packing food to travel at night, always include a hot pepper. It will ward off evil spirits who may want to enter the home.
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