Prohibited acts/Taboos in the Ewe land

It is said that, 'It is only in the kingdom of animals that there are no rules'. If you are someone who has lived in a home where tradition is practiced to the core, the idea of taboos might be well understood by you but if not still read to the end and get the full detail of what this post contains. An inquisitive person would want to know how these taboos came into enforcement and it must be understood that some originated from the object of worship of the people and some were a result of certain occurrences.

 For instance, there is this belief of the people that you must not sweep in the night. Per an observation of a town in the region, this was held in high respect such that it was obeyed by many especially those who have an idea of what it meant. Later, a story was shared of how someone swept her room one day in the night, collected the rubbish and threw it away. This person later realized her golden earring was lost which was detected that she might have swept it during the night. One thing worth noting is that, for some years ago there wasn't electricity to give vision at night as we have now. Lantern was the source of light at night then. Probably, this might be true but not proven as a fact. So, here comes the question, 'Could be the reason for enforcing this?.

Do you know that whistling in the night is a prohibited act?

Get this right first of all there is a differentiation between a taboo and a prohibited act. 

Transgressing a taboo brings negative repercussions on the transgressor but unlike a taboo, a prohibited act might not necessarily be that severe to cause a person harm. For an act that is prohibited, it might be for the benefit of those who obey.

Taboos/Prohibited acts in the Ewe land

No whistling at night

To whistle in any form whether with the mouth or any means is prohibited. There are exceptions to this in that football matches played at night in the region would definitely use the whistle. So, what happens then? The repercussion as told by an elderly in the society is that it invites snakes into the house. 

No farming on some designated days

Fishing and farming are prohibited on some set days. Considering an area like Agbozume, Denu and the environs, it is a taboo to carry out a farming activity on Keta market days. There was a time I was once told that if a person plants cassava on the day farming is prohibited, the cassava will grow alright but it will not be a proper tuber.  What about the fishing? Well, for those who are fishermen, going against this can result in a hazard while on the sea. Some two argue it is a set day for rest and also allows the fish to mature before fishing.

A child can't ask an elderly  'HOW ARE YOU'?

Respect, humility and good morals are held in very high esteem among the Ewes and so respect for the elderly especially is not played with. Asking an elderly how are you is seen as disrespectful and hence frowned upon by society. A younger person greets an elderly alright but the elderly asks how are you. Elsewhere in Nigeria, a young person lies on the floor as a form of greeting and so it is culture-centric.

Don't sweep against a person

For this, it cuts across many regions and cultures. The belief is that sweeping against a person might devalue a person or show disrespect. There are no visible effects on the onset but it is considered as improper.

Don't sweep against a cat

Cats are very powerful domestic animals that many keep as their pets. It is believed that they have the ability to see spirits among other things like catching mice which keep them away from the house. As clever as they are, they defecate from hiding but immediately a person starts sweeping against them, they behave abnormally. One abnormal behavior of theirs is to defecate even in the living room making them become a nuisance instead of being useful. 

Don't beat a person with banku stick

Using any cooling tool to beat a person is considered improper everywhere whether it is spoon etc. Banku stick is also one that no one must use to beat a child.

Don't beat a child while he or she is still attending to nature's call