Ghana’s cultural landscape is a vibrant fusion of diverse ethnic traditions, modern life, and deeply rooted spiritual beliefs. It’s estimated that nearly 500 superstitions and taboos continue to shape daily interactions, social etiquette, and major life decisions. These beliefs, passed down through generations, often serve as moral guidelines or explanations for the unexplainable, blending indigenous beliefs, ancestor veneration, and the influence of Christianity and Islam. Here are 40 of the most prevalent superstitions still observed in Ghana.
1
The Left Hand Taboo
The most serious social taboo. Never give, receive, gesture, or eat with your left hand. It is considered the “unclean” hand, reserved for personal hygiene.
2
Whistling at Night
Whistling after dark is strictly forbidden. It is believed to summon evil spirits, ghosts, or snakes to your location.
3
Sweeping at Night
You must not sweep your home or shop after sunset. Doing so is believed to sweep away your wealth and good fortune.
4
Itchy Palms
An itchy right palm means you are about to receive money. An itchy left palm means you are about to lose money or pay for something.
5
Calling Names at Night
Avoid calling someone’s name loudly in the dark. It is believed that a wandering spirit or ghost might hear and answer you instead, bringing misfortune.
6
Singing While Bathing
It is widely believed that if you sing while taking a bath or shower, it will cause the sudden death of your mother or a close relative.
7
Stepping Over Someone
If you step over a person’s legs while they are lying down (especially a child), you will stunt their growth. To reverse it, you must step back over them.
8
Pregnancy Food Taboos
A pregnant woman should not eat snails, or her child will be a drooler. Eating eggs will supposedly make the child lazy or even a thief.
9
The Owl’s Cry
Owls are seen as creatures of witchcraft. Hearing an owl hooting near your home is a terrible omen, often signifying that a witch is nearby or death is coming.
10
Hitting Man with a Broom
If a woman hits a man with a kyekyenka (broom), it is believed he will become impotent or lose his masculine energy.
11
Eating in Darkness
You should not eat food in a dark room. The belief is that you might share your meal with a ghost without knowing it.
12
Pounding Fufu at Night
Pounding fufu, a staple food, is noisy. Doing it at night is taboo because the sound is believed to disturb ancestral spirits or attract dwarfs.
13
Fetching Water at Night
It is dangerous to fetch water from a communal well or river after dark. Spirits are believed to visit these water sources and may harm you or follow you home.
14
Sunshower (Sun and Rain)
When it rains while the sun is shining, it means a leopard or lion is giving birth. Children are often warned not to play outside during this time.
15
Paying Money at Night
Giving or receiving money, especially coins, after dark is considered bad luck. It’s believed you are giving away your prosperity.
16
Cutting Nails at Night
Trimming your fingernails or toenails after sunset will bring misfortune or cause you to lose something valuable.
17
Eye Twitching
If your right eye twitches, you will see something good. If your left eye twitches, it’s a bad omen, and you might see something that makes you cry.
18
Vultures as an Omen
Vultures are seen as spiritual messengers. While some see them as cleansing, many believe a vulture landing on your roof is a sign of impending death.
19
Sacred Days (Tuesday)
In many coastal communities, Tuesday is a sacred day for the sea god. Fishermen are forbidden from going to sea, as it would be disrespectful and dangerous.
20
Pointing at Graves
Never point at a grave, tomb, or coffin with your index finger. It is believed the spirit of the deceased will become angry and cause your finger to rot or fall off.
21
Tripping with Left Foot
If you are starting a journey and you trip over your left foot, it is a very bad omen. You should stop, return home, and postpone the journey if possible.
22
Giving Salt at Night
You should not give salt to a neighbor after dark. Salt is precious and symbolic; giving it away at night is like giving away your household’s spiritual protection.
23
Dropping a Utensil
If you drop a spoon or fork, it means you are about to have an unexpected visitor.
24
Crossroads (Mmoatia)
Crossroads are powerful spiritual spots, home to dwarfs and spirits (Mmoatia). People leave offerings here to gain favors or ward off curses.
25
Dog Howling
A dog howling persistently in the night, not just barking, is believed to have seen a ghost and is announcing an approaching death in the community.
26
Biting Your Tongue
If you accidentally bite your tongue while eating, it means someone is gossiping about you at that exact moment.
27
Answering “Who’s There?”
If you are indoors and someone knocks, never ask “Who is there?” It is believed a spirit could be knocking, and asking the question invites it inside. Instead, say “Who are you?”
28
Airplane in the Sky
If a child sees an airplane, they often chant and run after it. It’s believed if you run fast enough, the airplane will drop a gift or money for you.
29
Sasabonsam
A fearsome, red-furred monster with iron teeth that lives in the forest (especially in Odum trees). This belief keeps children from wandering into the forest alone.
30
Cracking an Egg
When you crack an egg and find two yolks, it’s a sign of good fortune, fertility, or that someone in the family will have twins.
31
Hiccups
If you have hiccups, it means someone you know is thinking or talking about you.
32
Black Cats
Unlike in some Western cultures, black cats are not always bad luck. However, they are strongly associated with witchcraft, and it’s believed witches can transform into them.
33
Shoes on a Table
Placing shoes (new or old) on a table is considered extremely bad luck and a sign of disrespect to the home. It’s said to invite poverty or arguments.
34
Stepping Over Fire
A pregnant woman must never step over a fire or hot coals. It is believed she will give birth to a child with red or discolored skin.
35
Ananse (The Spider)
Spiders, especially Ananse, are revered as wise tricksters and the keepers of stories. Killing one is seen as foolish and may bring bad luck by angering the story god.
36
Talking Stools
Stools are not just furniture; they are believed to house the sunsum (soul) of their owner. A chief’s stool is sacred, and no one else may sit on it, even after his death.
37
Spirit Child (Abiku/Ogbanje)
If a mother has several children who die in infancy, it’s believed to be the same “spirit child” being born and dying repeatedly to torment her. Rituals are performed to break the cycle.
38
Shaking Leg While Sitting
If you sit and nervously shake your leg, elders will tell you to stop. It’s believed you are shaking away your money and good fortune.
39
Saying “It’s Raining”
During a heavy downpour, it’s taboo to say “It’s raining.” Instead, you should say “the gods are blessing us” or “there is a blessing,” to show respect and ensure the rain doesn’t become destructive.
40
Pouring Libation
When opening a drink, it’s tradition to pour a small amount on the ground first. This is an offering to the ancestors, inviting them to drink and bless the gathering.
Sources
- University of Nebraska – Lincoln – “Witchcraft Beliefs and Witch-Hunting in Ghana” โ An academic analysis of the persistence and social impact of witchcraft beliefs in modern Ghana.
- ResearchGate – “Food taboos and myths among pregnant women in Ghana” โ A study detailing common food-related superstitions (like snails and eggs) and their effect on maternal health.
- Wikipedia – “Akan Religion” โ Provides context on the traditional spiritual framework (Nyame, Asase Ya, Abosom) from which many superstitions originate.
- SIT Digital Collections – “Traditional Medicine and ‘Spiritual’ Illnesses in Ghana” โ An independent study paper exploring the intersection of traditional healers, libations, and beliefs about spirits.
- Academia.edu – “Mortuary Beliefs and Practices Among the Akan of Ghana” โ Details beliefs surrounding death, ancestors, and funeral rites, which inform many taboos (e.g., dog howling, owl cries).