In a typical Nigerian home, there are stories our parents told that have lived with us through time and have been passed on from generation to generation and would likely still be passed on to the next generation.
Myths are told to scare or make one believe a particular thing does exist. Sometimes, it is told to make the recipient get something done or obey an order.
As much as there are weird myths, we can not fully conclude they contain no iota of truth.
The realization that all these myths are not so true came as we grew older, but deep down we know these myths would likely be passed onto our children.
Here are a few of these myths worthy to be passed on to the next generation;
1. A GIRL WILL GET PREGNANT IF A BOY TOUCHES HER.
At times, you would hear a young girl even a teenage girl saying; “don’t touch me o, my mum said I will get pregnant if I allow boys to touch me”
While growing up, we all were told this, and it instilled fear of unwanted pregnancy in both boys and girls as they already know the consequences of getting pregnant at an early age.
By now, we understood that this myth meant well as it was simply to make both boys and girls steer clear of immoral acts.
It is, however, one of the myths that should be passed on to the next generation as it easily passes across a message that cannot be said with actual words and a subtle way of educating young ones on ‘unwanted pregnancy’ early.
2. EATING WHILE STANDING MAKES THE FOOD STAY ON YOUR LEGS.
This particular myth automatically means once you eat while standing and the food stays in your leg, you will possibly experience hunger again, and in a typical Nigerian home, there is no food after you’ve just finished one.
This belief has made most kids heed the warning the myth passes across.
Eating while standing is a bad eating posture as it can also lead to discomfort from bloating, to cramps and gas.
This myth is one of those that should be passed on to the next generation.
3. ONLY SPIRITS SLEEP WITH THEIR LEGS ON THE WALL
As untrue as this might sound, it worked wonders in the sleeping posture of most of us especially when we were young as no one wants to be tagged a spirit.
Sleeping with the legs on the wall is considered a bad sleeping posture, one might develop an ache in the lower back.
It is undeniably one of the myths that should be passed on to the next generation.
4. SPIRITS WILL VISIT ANYONE WHO SLEEPS LATE
Some of us took this too seriously and hated sleeping late to the extent that as soon as the clouds turned dark we would have retired to bed for the fear of being taken away or visited by a spirit.
One advantage we got from this was it instilled a proper sleeping routine in us early enough.
Health-wisely, sleeping late itself is not advisable.
This myth should therefore be passed on to the next generation.
5. STARING AT THE SUN IS AN OFFENSE TO GOD
Once upon a time, starting right into the sun, a girl dared the sun to come down.
As silly as putting this into action is, we cannot deny that most of us have tried staring into the sun checking how long we can withstand its brightness.
This could probably explain why this myth came into existence.
This myth has also been of good advantage as it cautioned this act and has saved us the trouble of having to spend money on treating eye problems.
There are so many other interesting myths that have originated from Nigeria and have been passed on over time. What other myths do you know and feel should be passed on to kids as it might be of advantage to them? Let us know in the comment section.