It is a common allusion among people that goats can be related to stubbornness. In Rwanda, however, this goes beyond just common knowledge as people take the goat’s infamous character more seriously.
It is believed that eating goat meat, especially when women do so, can make one develop the animal’s character of stubbornness. It is therefore a taboo for a woman to eat goat’s meat
The locals say that this “rule” was invented by greedy men who wanted all the meat. It is said that in the past (and sometimes even today) women were not supposed to eat goat’s meat.
There are two main reasons behind this; the first is that it would make them grow a beard, and secondly, it would make them stubborn. However, not everyone takes this seriously as some even laugh at its absurdity.
There are other typical myths that Rwandans are known for. Here are a few of them:
1. Drinking milk and eating meat at the same time
It was taboo in Rwandan culture to eat meat and drink milk at the same time. Unlike today, people do not hesitate to have a plate of meat with a glass of milk. The locals used to believe that when milk and meat were taken simultaneously, the cow would be affected.
2. Dress as the only attire for females
There was special attire for females and males and it was taboo for a woman to wear trousers. According to locals, women wearing trousers nowadays does not matter as the world is modernised. Dressing is only criticised when the dresses that reveal too much.
3. The choice of a child’s name
Names reflecting the day of birth and the environment or circumstances surrounding a child’s birth were common back in the day, but not so much today. Today, children’s names are based more on what is trending, exciting and fresh.
