In the heart of West Africa, where the Niger River curves through ancient landscapes, Mali holds a profound spiritual depth. It is said that Malian culture preserves approximately 350 specific superstitions, a complex web woven from centuries of Animist traditions (such as those of the Dogon and Bambara people) blended with Islamic customs. Here, the visible world is constantly interacting with the invisible realm of Djinns (spirits), ancestors, and mystical energies. From the power of the Marabout (spiritual healer) to the protective Gris-gris amulets, these beliefs guide daily etiquette, social harmony, and survival.
Daily Life and Etiquette
The Left Hand Taboo
Never eat, shake hands, or give money with your left hand. It is considered unclean and disrespectful; doing so invites bad luck and social shame.
Whistling at Night
Whistling after dark is strictly forbidden. It is believed to call snakes into the house or summon malevolent spirits from the bush.
Sweeping at Night
If you sweep the floor at night, you are sweeping away the family’s wealth and blessings. If you must sweep, pile the dust in a corner until morning.
Upside-Down Sandals
Leaving footwear with the soles facing God (the sky) is an insult to the divine and brings bad luck to your parents. Flip them over immediately.
Stepping Over Legs
Never step over a childโs outstretched legs. It is believed this will stunt their growth. You must step back over them to reverse the curse.
The Three Teas
The tea ceremony is sacred. Refusing a cup is rude, but leaving before the third round is bad luck. The first is bitter as death, the second soft as life, the third sweet as love.
Lending Salt at Night
One should never lend salt to a neighbor after sunset. It symbolizes giving away your household’s luck and prosperity.
Singing in the Shower
Singing while bathing, especially at night, is thought to attract attracted unwanted attention from unseen entities who dwell in damp places.
Sitting on the Threshold
Doorways are transition zones for spirits. Sitting directly on the threshold makes you vulnerable to possession or bad energy passing through.
Cutting Nails at Night
Clipping fingernails or toenails after dark reduces your lifespan or invites poverty.
Refusing Water
To deny a stranger water is a grave sin in the Sahel environment. It brings a curse of thirst upon your own spirit.
Shadow Stepping
In some traditions, intentionally stepping on an elder’s shadow is seen as a sign of disrespect and an attempt to steal their vitality.
Trash at Crossroads
Crossroads are where the human and spirit worlds meet. Dumping trash there is dangerous; you might accidentally dump it on a Djinn.
Sneezing Once
A single sneeze means someone is speaking ill of you. Two sneezes mean something good is being said.
Eating in the Dark
One should not eat in total darkness. It is believed that you might be sharing your food with a demon without knowing it.
Animals and Nature
The Owl’s Cry
If an owl hoots on your roof or near your window, it is a powerful omen of death or serious illness in the family.
The Margouillat (Lizard)
The orange-headed agama lizard nodding its head is often seen as a mocker. However, killing a house gecko is bad luck as they eat pests and protect the home.
Howling Dogs
Dogs have “second sight.” If they howl persistently at night with no visible cause, they are seeing the Angel of Death passing by.
Cat Washing Face
If a cat sits in the doorway and washes its face, expect a visitor to arrive soon.
The Baobab Tree
These ancient trees are believed to house powerful spirits. One should never sleep under a Baobab at night, or their soul might be trapped.
Scorpions and Truth
In some beliefs, if a scorpion stings you, it is because you told a lie or betrayed a confidence recently.
Totem Animals
Many families have a “totem” animal (like the crocodile or hippo). Eating or harming your totem animal brings immediate sickness or death to the lineage.
Crickets in the House
A cricket chirping inside the house implies that money or wealth is coming to the family. Do not kill it.
Dust Devils
Small whirlwinds of dust are seen as dancing spirits. Never step into one, or you may become possessed or fall ill.
Black Butterfly
A large black butterfly entering the home is an omen of bad news or sorrow.
Spirits, Magic, and Protection
The Evil Eye
Malians deeply fear the “evil eye” (jealousy). Success is often downplayed to avoid attracting envious gazes that cause misfortune.
Gris-Gris
Almost everyone wears a Gris-gris (amulet) prepared by a Marabout. These leather pouches contain Quranic verses or herbal items to ward off evil.
Iron and Blacksmiths
Blacksmiths (Numu) are feared and respected. They possess the power to manipulate fire and iron, which is seen as magical. Their curses are potent.
Midday Danger
High noon (when the sun is at its zenith) is a time when spirits are most active. It is advised to stay in the shade to avoid spiritual “burns.”
Cowrie Shells
Used for divination. If you find a cowrie shell face up, it is good luck. Face down, it may signal a blockage in your path.
Praises for Babies
Never say a baby is “beautiful” or “fat.” This attracts the evil eye. Instead, say they are “ugly” or add “Mashallah” (God willing) to protect them.
Clothes on the Roof
Leaving clothes out to dry overnight on the roof allows wandering spirits to inhabit them. You must shake them out vigorously before wearing.
Finding a Coin
Finding a coin on the ground is lucky, but you must not spend it. Keep it as a “seed” to attract more wealth.
Building a House
Before building, one must bury a protective offering (sometimes a pot of herbs or written verses) at the foundation to appease the spirits of the land.
Photos and Soul
In rural areas, some elders believe that photography steals a piece of the soul, leading to a shorter life.
Family, Marriage, and Society
Pregnant Women at Dusk
Pregnant women should not walk outside at sunset. Evil spirits are jealous of the unborn life and may try to possess the fetus.
Twins (Ibeji)
Twins are considered to share a single, powerful soul. They are treated with extreme reverence; upsetting one upsets both, and potentially the spirit world.
Eating from the Pot
It is said that if you eat directly from the cooking pot, it will rain on your wedding day.
The Kola Nut
Breaking a Kola nut is essential for agreements. If a nut breaks into four pieces (two male, two female), it signifies a perfect blessing and harmony.
Tripping at a Wedding
If a bride trips while entering her new husband’s compound, it is a sign of a difficult marriage ahead.
Touching the Beard
It is considered disrespectful for a younger person to touch an elder’s beard. It challenges their wisdom and authority.
Hitting with a Broom
Touching a man with a broom is believed to render him impotent. The broom is a tool of women and holds specific power over the household.
Fish Heads
In some families, the head of the fish is reserved for the most intelligent or the head of the household, believing it imparts wisdom.
The First Rain
The first rain of the season is considered holy. People run outside to let it touch them, believing it washes away the bad luck of the dry season.
Talking While Eating
Excessive talking while eating is discouraged; it is believed the food will go to your “bad side” or you might choke on a spirit.
Naming Ceremony
A baby is not considered fully human until the naming ceremony (usually 7 days after birth). Before this, they are vulnerable to being reclaimed by the spirit world.
Hunters’ Amulets
Dozo hunters wear tunics covered in mirrors and claws. It is believed that looking directly into the mirrors on a hunter’s tunic can steal your courage.
Losing a Tooth
If a child loses a tooth, they should throw it on the roof and ask a lizard/mouse for a stronger, iron tooth in return.
Sewing on the Body
Never sew a piece of clothing while you are wearing it. It is akin to sewing your own shroud and invites death or memory loss.
Itchy Palms
If your right palm itches, you will receive money. If your left palm itches, you will lose or spend money.
References and Further Reading
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre โ Cliff of Bandiagara (Land of the Dogons) โ Detailed information on Dogon culture, cosmology, and spiritual beliefs.
- Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage โ Mali โ Resources on Malian arts, crafts, and living traditions.
- EveryCulture โ Culture of Mali โ A comprehensive overview of daily life, religion, and social customs in Mali.
- Encyclopedia Britannica โ Mali: Religion and Beliefs โ Academic summary of the syncretism between Islam and indigenous faiths.
- University of Iowa โ Art & Life in Africa (Dogon) โ Educational resource exploring the mythology and ritual objects of the Dogon people.