Ethiopia, one of the world’s most ancient civilizations, possesses a cultural tapestry woven from millennia of history, deep religious traditions (including Orthodox Christianity, Islam, and indigenous beliefs), and a profound connection to the land. This rich history has nurtured an intricate system of traditional beliefs and superstitions, with some estimates suggesting there are approximately 700 unique superstitions still observed today. These beliefs, far from being mere relics, remain a vibrant part of daily life, influencing social interactions, health, and community dynamics. From the powerful fear of the Buda (evil eye) to the complex rituals of the coffee ceremony, Ethiopian folklore provides a fascinating glimpse into the soul of the Horn of Africa.
1
The Buda (Evil Eye)
The most pervasive superstition. The Buda is a curse cast by someone with evil envy, capable of causing illness, misfortune, or even death.
2
Kitab (Amulet)
To ward off the Buda, many people, especially children, wear a Kitabโa small leather-bound amulet or necklace containing protective scriptures.
3
Don’t Praise a Baby
Praising a child’s beauty or health (“What a cute baby!”) is believed to attract the Buda. People often say “Mashallah” or slightly insult the child (“How ugly!”) to protect it.
4
Protective Spitting
A light, symbolic spitting gesture (“tfu tfu”) is sometimes done after giving a compliment to neutralize any potential for the evil eye.
5
Buda Carriers
Traditionally, it was believed certain marginalized artisan groups, like potters (Teyb) and blacksmiths, were carriers of the Buda.
6
Burning Incense (Etan)
Burning incense, especially frankincense, in the home (often during the coffee ceremony) is believed to cleanse the air of evil spirits and negative energy.
7
The Wer-Hyena (Qeros)
A belief in shapeshifters, particularly men who can turn into hyenas at night to attack livestock or humans. This is similar to werewolf legends.
8
Hyena’s Laugh
Hearing a hyena laugh or “cackle” near the home at night is considered a terrible omen, often foretelling a death in the family.
9
Owl Hooting
Like in many cultures, an owl hooting on or near the roof of a house is a portent of death or severe misfortune.
10
Zar Spirits
Belief in Zar, spirits (often male) that possess people (often women), causing illness or erratic behavior. Exorcism rituals are performed to appease the spirit.
11
No Sweeping at Night
Sweeping the floor after sunset is taboo, as it is believed to sweep away the family’s wealth and good fortune.
12
No Cutting Nails at Night
Trimming fingernails or toenails in the dark is forbidden, as it is thought to invite spirits or shorten the life of one’s parents.
13
Spilling Coffee (Buna)
Unlike spilling salt, spilling a bit of coffee (buna) during the ceremony is seen as good luckโa sign of overflowing blessings and generosity.
14
Crossing Legs While Eating
It is considered disrespectful and unlucky to cross your legs while eating injera (traditional flatbread) from a common platter.
15
Dropped Injera
Dropping a piece of injera is a bad omen. If it happens, one must kiss it and touch it to their forehead as a sign of respect for food.
16
Whistling at Night
Whistling indoors, especially after dark, is believed to summon evil spirits, jinn, or snakes into the house.
17
Don’t Sit on the Threshold
Sitting or standing in a doorway is bad luck. It’s seen as blocking the passage of good spirits (and luck) from entering the home.
18
Black Cat
While not as strong as in the West, a black cat crossing your path is still considered an unlucky omen by many.
19
Sneezing
If you sneeze, it’s believed someone is talking about you. If you sneeze twice, they are saying bad things; three times means good things.
20
Itchy Palms
An itchy right palm means you will receive money. An itchy left palm means you will give or lose money.
21
Twitching Eye
A twitching right eye is a sign of good news coming. A twitching left eye is a sign of bad news or an approaching sorrow.
22
Tripping on Left Foot
If you are starting a journey and trip with your left foot, it is a bad omen. You should pause or even postpone the trip.
23
Upside-Down Shoes
Leaving a shoe or sandal upside-down (with the sole facing up) is considered extremely disrespectful and is believed to invite death or a curse upon the household.
24
Broken Mirror
Similar to Western belief, breaking a mirror is believed to bring seven years of bad luck.
25
Pregnancy Craving
If a pregnant woman’s cravings are not satisfied, it’s believed the baby will be born with a birthmark (milas) shaped like the denied food.
26
Pregnant Woman and Monkeys
A pregnant woman should avoid looking at monkeys or other “ugly” animals, as it’s feared her baby might resemble them.
27
Jinn (Ginni)
Belief in Jinn (spirits from Islamic tradition) is common. They are thought to inhabit dark, dirty, or abandoned places and can cause mischief or harm.
28
Crow Cawing
A crow cawing persistently near a house is an omen of bad news or that an unwelcome guest is on the way.
29
Dog Howling
A dog howling mournfully at night is believed to be sensing spirits or an impending death in the neighborhood.
30
Lending Milk at Night
One should never lend or give milk or yogurt to a neighbor after dark, as it’s like giving away the household’s prosperity.
31
Lending Salt
Lending salt, especially at night, is taboo. It is believed to cause a rift or fight between the neighbors.
32
New Moon
When seeing the new moon for the first time, it’s good luck to look at something green or at the face of a person you love.
33
Don’t Talk in the Toilet
It’s forbidden to talk, sing, or whistle inside a latrine or bathroom, as these places are thought to be homes for Jinn who will be angered.
34
Don’t Step Over Grain
Stepping over spilled grain (like teff or barley) is disrespectful to the food and will bring poverty or famine to the house.
35
Sleeping Position
It’s considered bad to sleep with your head facing the west, as this is the position the dead are buried.
36
Ringing Ears
If your right ear rings, someone is saying good things about you. If your left ear rings, you are being gossiped about negatively.
37
Don’t Step Over Fire
Stepping over a fire (even embers) is dangerous and believed to cause infertility or other “below the belt” illnesses.
38
Eating Alone
Eating a meal completely alone is discouraged. It’s believed that when you eat alone, you are sharing your food with the devil.
39
Crossroads
Crossroads are considered places of spiritual power and danger, where spirits gather. People often leave offerings (like food or eggs) at crossroads to appease spirits.
40
Killing a Spider
Killing a spider, especially one in the home, is seen as bad luck as they are considered clean and harmless.
41
Rain During a Funeral
If it rains during someone’s funeral, it is seen as a divine sign that the deceased was a good and righteous person, and their soul is being welcomed into heaven.
42
Sun Shower
When it rains while the sun is shining (a “sun shower”), it’s believed that a hyena is giving birth.
43
Rainbow’s End
It’s believed that at the end of a rainbow, a pot of gold is not buried, but rather that the ground there is cursed or dangerous. Children are warned not to go near it.
44
Passing Items
When giving or receiving an item, especially money or food, it is proper to use the right hand. Using the left hand is disrespectful, as it’s associated with uncleanliness.
45
Dust Devil (Small Whirlwind)
A small whirlwind or “dust devil” is believed to be a Jinn or spirit traveling. People, especially children, are told to avoid it.
46
Coffee Ceremony (Abol)
In the traditional buna ceremony, the first cup (Abol) is the strongest. Refusing it is a grave insult and brings bad luck to the household.
47
Three Cups of Coffee
One must drink all three cups of coffee in the ceremony (Abol, Tona, Baraka). To leave before the third cup (Baraka, the blessing) is to reject the blessing and insult the host.
48
Concealing Baby’s Name
Sometimes a baby’s “true” name is kept secret, or they are given a nickname to confuse evil spirits or those with the Buda.
49
Sacred Trees
Certain large, ancient trees (like the Warka or Sycamore) are believed to be homes for spirits. It is bad luck to cut them down or disrespect them.
50
Dreaming of White
Dreaming of white things, such as milk, cotton, or white clothes, is a very good omen signifying purity, success, and blessings.
51
Dreaming of a Snake
Dreaming of a snake often represents a hidden enemy or a deceitful person in your life. It can also symbolize wealth.
52
Losing a Tooth
When a child loses a baby tooth, they should throw it up onto the roof and ask a hyena to take the “donkey’s tooth” and give them a “white tooth.”
53
Red Chilies (Berbere)
While a food staple, strings of red peppers are not typically hung for luck as in India. However, the smoke from roasting them can be used to “fumigate” a house against the Buda.
54
Cows and Wealth
Owning cattle is a sign of wealth. Harming another’s cow, even accidentally, is a grave offense that can lead to curses.
55
Don’t Blow Out a Candle
A candle or oil lamp should be snuffed out with fingers or a tool, not blown out with one’s breath, which is seen as disrespectful to the fire/light.
56
Eclipse Beliefs
During a solar or lunar eclipse, it’s believed a dragon or demon is swallowing the sun or moon. People bang pots and pans to scare it away.
57
Pregnancy and Funerals
A pregnant woman should not attend a funeral or visit a graveyard, as it’s feared the spirit of the dead might harm or “enter” the unborn child.
58
Stepping Over a Person
You must never step over a person who is sitting or lying on the ground. It is believed this will stunt their growth or cause them to fall ill.
59
Right Foot First
When entering a new home or a church, it is good luck to step inside with your right foot first.
60
Finding Money
Finding a coin on the ground is good luck, but only if you pick it up. Leaving it is considered rejecting a blessing.
61
Hiccups (Hikkita)
If you get hiccups, it means someone who misses you is thinking or talking about you at that very moment.
62
Jumping over Fire
During the Meskel (Finding of the True Cross) festival, people jump over the embers of the bonfire. This is believed to cleanse sins and ward off illness for the year.
63
First Harvest
It is bad luck for a farmer to eat the very first fruits of his harvest. They should be given as an offering (to the church or to the poor) to ensure a bountiful future harvest.
64
Using Holy Books
Leaving a holy book (like the Bible) open or placing it on the floor is a sin that invites bad luck and disrespects God.
65
Cracking an Egg
If you crack an egg and find a double yolk, it’s a sign of good fortune, fertility, or that a wedding is coming soon.
66
Menstrual Taboos
Traditionally, a menstruating woman is considered “unclean” and is not allowed to enter a church, cook for men, or touch holy items.
67
Spilling Water
Accidentally spilling water (unlike coffee) is often seen as a bad omen, representing “spilled” opportunities or tears to come.
68
Coin in Foundation
When building a new house, it’s good luck to place a coin in the foundation to ensure the home will always have wealth.
69
Butter for Luck (Kibe)
Fresh, clarified butter (niter kibbeh) is a sign of wealth and purity. A small amount is sometimes dabbed on a newborn’s head for blessings and protection.
70
Rooster Crowing at Night
If a rooster crows at an odd time, like midnight, it is a very bad omen, signaling a nearby death or disaster.
71
Breaking Bread (Dabo)
When a large dabo (bread) is presented, the person cutting it should not cut it all the way through. Leaving the bottom intact ensures the “lineage” of the family is not cut.
72
Telling a Dream Before Eating
You should never tell someone a bad dream in the morning before you have eaten or had coffee. Doing so is believed to make the dream come true.
73
Holy Water (Tsebel)
Holy water from sacred springs is believed to have immense healing power, capable of curing diseases and casting out evil spirits.
74
Sharing a Plate
Eating from a communal dish (mesob) is a sign of friendship and trust. Refusing to share a plate is seen as a sign of enmity or mistrust.
75
Sewing on a Person
It’s bad luck to sew a button or mend a garment while someone is still wearing it. It’s believed to “sew up” their intelligence or good fortune.
76
Reading in the Dark
Children are told not to read in dim light, not just because it’s bad for their eyes, but because it’s believed to attract poorness and “darken” their future.
77
Lending Money at Night
Just like milk and salt, lending money after sunset is forbidden. It’s believed the money will never be returned and will take the lender’s luck with it.
78
Cold Wind (Nefas)
A sudden cold draft or wind (nefas) is believed to be a spirit or illness passing by. People will cover their mouths to avoid “breathing it in.”
79
Dove Entering House
If a dove or white pigeon flies into the house, it is a sign of peace, good news, or a blessing from the Holy Spirit.
80
Honey (Mar)
Honey is a symbol of sweetness and prosperity. Giving tej (honey wine) is a sign of friendship, and a new bride may be given honey to ensure a “sweet” life.
81
Shooting Star
Seeing a shooting star is not for making a wish. It is often seen as a bad omen, a “soul falling from heaven” or a sign that a great person has just died.
82
Footprints
Enemies can use your footprints for curses. It’s believed that taking dirt from someone’s footprint and using it in a ritual can cause them harm or illness.
83
Cut Hair
One must be careful when disposing of cut hair or nails. If they fall into the hands of a Buda carrier or sorcerer, they can be used in a curse against you.
84
Don’t Walk Over a Stick
A pregnant woman should not step over a stick or rope on the ground, as it’s believed this could cause complications with the umbilical cord.
85
Dreaming of Floods
Dreaming of a flood or dirty, raging water is a powerful negative omen, signifying overwhelming problems, illness, or social chaos.
86
Changing Names
If a child is chronically ill, parents may change the child’s name. This is believed to “trick” the evil spirit or Buda that is causing the sickness, making the child “invisible.”
87
Red Hot Coal
To diagnose or ward off the Buda, a traditional healer may drop a red-hot coal into a cup of water. The hissing sound or the way it sinks reveals the curse.
88
Bird Droppings
If a bird poops on you, it is considered a sign of unexpected good luck or that you will receive money soon.
89
Cracking Knuckles
Cracking your knuckles is not just a bad habit; it’s believed to be “calling the devil” or inviting bad spirits.
90
Boiling Milk
If milk boils over the pot while cooking, it is a sign of abundance and good fortune; the household’s prosperity is “overflowing.”
91
Rue (Tena’adam)
The herb Rue (“Adam’s Health”) is used in coffee and as medicine. It’s also believed to have protective properties; carrying it can ward off spirits.
92
Left-Handedness
Being left-handed is often seen as unlucky or “unnatural.” Children are often forced to learn to write and eat with their right hand.
93
Wedding Day Rain
Rain on a wedding day is considered a sign of immense blessings and fertility for the couple.
94
Yawning Without Covering
You must always cover your mouth when you yawn, or an evil spirit (Jinn) might fly into your mouth and possess you.
95
Calling Someone at Night
If you hear your name called at night, do not answer until the third time. It may be a spirit trying to lure you out.
96
Wearing Red
Wearing bright red clothing, especially for a woman, can be seen as provocative and is thought to attract the Buda or unwanted spiritual attention.
97
Fire Sparks
If a log in the fire suddenly pops and sends out a lot of sparks, it means an unexpected guest will soon arrive.
98
Twitching Meat
If raw meat twitches or jumps while being cut, it is believed the spirit of the animal is still present, and it’s a bad omen.
99
Hot Water at Night
You should never throw hot water onto the ground outside at night without giving a warning (“I’m throwing water!”), as you might scald a Jinn and face its wrath.
100
Departing Guest
It is bad luck for a guest to sweep or clean before they leave your home; it’s seen as them “sweeping away” the family’s luck with them.