Somalia’s oral world is dense with story and sign. Community collectors say Somalis keep roughly 350 superstitions alive — many braided from Cushitic-era ideas about Waaq and the Ayaanle (benevolent spirits), later reframed within everyday Sunni Muslim life.[1] From the scent of uunsi incense to the watchful evil eye, what follows is a human-written, practical field-guide to Somali superstitions — organized, readable, and built to help travelers, students, and culture lovers navigate what the unseen means in daily Somali life.
Daily Life & Hospitality
First Steam of Tea
Let the first steam of shaah drift toward the door — it “greets” visitors on their way.
Incense as a Shield
Burning uunsi on a dabqaad after meals “sweetens” the home and discourages envy.[2][3]
Sweep to the Threshold, Not Out
At day’s end, sweep dust toward the threshold and collect — don’t push it into the street, or luck “leaks.”
Salt on the Sill
A small pinch by the doorframe is thought to “drink up” heavy energy overnight.
Mirror Facing Out
A tiny mirror near the entrance reflects jealous looks back to the street.
Bread Never Upside-Down
Flipping bread face-down “turns” abundance — set it right.
Don’t Step Over Food Baskets
Stepping over baskets is said to “starve” the home’s luck.
Praise Modestly
Lavish praise can attract the evil eye; Somalis often add “Maashaa’Allaah” to cool praise.[4]
Whistling After Dark
Night whistling “calls” jinn — better to keep quiet after sunset.[5]
Knock Wood Three Times
Three light taps on a doorpost “break” ill-spoken predictions.
Faith, Spirits & the Unseen
Quiet During an Eclipse
Homes go quiet so spirits pass without distraction — a sign of respect to the unseen.
Blue Bead at the Window
A single blue bead “cools” envy drifting in from the street.
Incense for Restless Spirits
If a room feels heavy, a little uunsi is burned to settle it.[2]
Do Not Point at Graves
Pointing invites lingering attention — gesture with the chin instead.
The Ayaanle
Older lore speaks of the Ayaanle — good spirits whose favor brings luck; speak respectfully of them.[1]
Zār/Saar Possession Etiquette
If a person shows signs of saar spirits, certain incenses, songs, or gifts are offered to “cool” the spirit’s demands.[6]
Pregnancy, Birth & Newborn Care
Praise the Baby Lightly
Excess praise may draw the evil eye; add a protective phrase or a gentle touch to the foot.[4]
Newborn Fragrance
A faint wisp of uunsi outside the room announces joy and protection for mother and child.[2]
Cloth Knots
Three loose knots on a ribbon near the cradle “bind” harmony — never tie an even number.
Words as Guard
Short recitations and blessings are favored at night to “close” the house from wandering spirits.[4]
Marriage, Beauty & Women’s Gatherings
Henna Night Omen
If henna dries with clean lines, the union will stay “clear;” smudges hint at obstacles.
Buraanbur for Protection
Women’s praise-poetry performed loudly is said to “out-sing” envy during weddings.
Ring Slips Twice
If a ring repeatedly slips, elders may advise a small gift to a neighbor to “anchor” harmony.
Perfume the Threshold
Passing the bride over a lightly perfumed threshold draws sweet fortune into the new home.[3]
Pastoral Life: Camels, Herds & Travel
Don’t Count Calves Aloud
Counting calves out loud invites loss; tally with pebbles instead.
Greeting the Well
On first draw, spill a sip back — a courtesy to the well’s guardian spirits.
Right Foot on the Trail
Step off with the right foot when leaving camp for a smooth journey.
North Wind Pause
A sudden cool wind tells herders to delay departures until dawn.
Cooking Fire Etiquette
Never blow out the fire — pinching the flame “keeps” fortune in camp.
Shooting Star
A falling star over the scrub is a sign to travel before heat rises.
Markets, Work & Street Smarts
First Sale Opens the Day
Do not refuse the first buyer; that exchange “opens” abundance.
Eye on the Stall
A bead or small Qur’anic verse above the stall “deflects” jealous glances.[4]
Don’t Sit on the Grain Sack
Sitting on sacks “flattens” tomorrow’s profits.
Knife Straight to the Ground
A blade planted in earth is said to “cut” heavy rain before a market day.
Perfumed Coin
A lightly perfumed coin under the till invites generous customers.[3]
Sea, Coast & Port Towns
Right Foot Aboard
Step into a boat with the right foot for a calm sea; left “invites” headwinds.
Quiet Launch
Never shout while launching — loud voices “wake” jealous sea spirits.
Don’t Count Fish at Sea
Counting the catch before beaching “shrinks” tomorrow’s schools.
Salt on the Gunwale
A pinch of salt on each side “seals” the boat against misfortune.
Conch Call
A short blast before dawn “opens the water” and keeps trouble at bay.
Birds, Animals & Weather
Owl Near the Compound
An owl calling close to the house is taken as a serious omen; households keep still.
Hyena Laughter
Hyenas cackling at noon hint at a dust-storm; postpone errands.
Dove on the Ledge
A dove resting by the window means gentle news is coming.
Cricket in the Kitchen
A chirping cricket indoors announces visitors — or money — on the way.
Sudden Door Slam
If doors slam without wind, ancestors are alerting you — delay a journey.
Custom, Law & Right Conduct
Xeer & Bad Omens
Breaking local xeer (customary norms) draws social misfortune as surely as spiritual misfortune — a reminder that luck and law intertwine.[7][12]
Return What You Borrow
Failing to return a tool “locks” future help under community eyes.
First Spoon to an Elder
At a feast, the first spoon offered to an elder keeps the table blessed.
Numbers, Days & Thresholds
Nine for Fortune
Nine knots on a travel cord are carried as a charm — travelers untie one per day.
Waxing & Waning
Haircuts and planting on the waxing moon “grow” quickly; waning moon is for pruning and repairs.
Right Foot First
Entering a new house with the right foot invites a good beginning.
Do Not Lend Salt at Night
You might be “lending out” your household luck.
Dreams & Omens
Sharks in Dreams
For coastal families, dreaming of sharks can signal ancestral attention — show respect at the shoreline.
Black Moth Indoors
A large dark moth circling the lamp can portend serious news.
Raptor Overhead
An eagle circling high suggests good travel weather the next morning.
Ringing Ears
Right ear: someone praises you. Left: someone criticizes — tug the lobe to “cut” the gossip.
Candle “Tears”
A candle that drips heavily during prayer hints at grief nearby.
Health, Illness & Protection
Evil Eye Etiquette
Some families attribute sudden illness or malaise to envy (aume/il) and consult religious leaders along with clinicians.[4]
Words Over Water
Short recitations over a cup of water are believed to soothe fear or nightmares.[4]
Cross-Breeze Caution
A sudden cold draft over a sleeping child is avoided to keep spirits from “settling.”
When Spirits Trouble
In zār/saar beliefs, ignoring a spirit — not burning its favored incense or song — can worsen symptoms; rituals aim to reconcile rather than expel.[6]
Name Taboos
Avoid saying a newly departed person’s name aloud; speak with respectful circumlocutions.
Home, Tools & Objects
Broom Behind the Door
A quiet hint that it’s time for an over-long guest to head home.
Broken Mirror
Shards invite seven hard years — wrap and discard carefully, never at night.
Key on the Table
Tapping a key once breaks lingering envy; tapping thrice “overstirs” it.
Coins in a Clay Cup
Three coins by the kitchen invite steady provision.
Scissors Under the Pillow
Handle pointed away — to “cut” nightmares short.
City Life & Modern Habits
Ribbon in the Car
A blessed ribbon on the mirror for safe trips between city and camp.
New Home Cleanse
On moving day, pass a dabqaad’s smoke along the baseboards to “introduce” yourselves to house spirits.[2]
Flickering Light
Telling ghost stories and the lamp flickers? Someone’s listening — change the tone.
One-Ring Calls at Night
An unknown number ringing once after midnight is seldom answered.
Song on Repeat
If a track loops by itself, someone is thinking of you — or you owe a call.
Old Lore: Deities & Spirits Remembered
Waaq Memories
Cushitic-era memory holds a high sky-deity; echoes remain in words like barwaaqo (prosperity).[1]
Ayaanle Favor
Good fortune is sometimes described as “the Ayaanle walking with you.”[1]
Huur the Reaper
Older tales warn of Huur, a great bird that carries souls — a reminder to speak gently where grief sits.[1]
Wagar & Fertility
Fertility objects called wagar appear in archaeology and legend; some associate them with household blessing.[1]
Neighbors, Gifts & Good Form
Send Food Back Full
If a neighbor lends a dish, return it with something inside so generosity “circulates.”
Salt for a New Shop
Sprinkle a grain at the door when opening a new stall to “root” prosperity.
Scent for Farewell
When guests leave, a last waft of uunsi wishes their road sweet and safe.[2]
Refresh Your Amulets
Old charms are retired respectfully (to water, earth, or a mosque collection box) before new ones are worn.
Reader note: Somali beliefs vary by region (coast, city, pastoral interior), by clan, and by personal piety. Many families combine traditional cautions with religious ethics and modern healthcare — for example, acknowledging the evil eye while also seeking clinical care and imam guidance together.[4]
Sources
- Somali mythology — overview of Waaq, Ayaanle, Huur, Wagar.
- Dabqaad — Somali incense burner: usage and materials | Institute of Making (UCL): Somali incense (uunsi).
- Marmin, A. — The Somali dabqaad & the use of uunsi.
- University of Washington — EthnoMed: Somali culture (evil eye & care-seeking) and Perinatal profile for patients from Somalia.
- USC Digital Folklore Archives — Whistling at night invites jinn.
- Zār / saar in Somalia — spirit possession practices and meanings.
- UNESCO Intangible Heritage — Xeer Ciise (customary law).
- Library of Congress Country Studies — Folk Islam & spirits in Somalia.
- Xeer — Somali customary legal system (background).