Nigeria is rich in diversity with a vast array of tribes, cultures, and beliefs. While civilization has taken over most parts of the country, there are still places where cultural practices are well alive.
Some of these practices border on the extreme side. Here are six of them.
1. Magun
Nigerian, like some other countries, have little or no tolerance for adultery.
Magun (Thunderbolt), a black magic which is commonly used by the Yorubas, is placed in a married woman without her being aware of it either by her husband or his family so that if she commits adultery, her lover could end up losing his life or getting stuck while in the act.
2. Widowhood
This is common amongst the Igbos. A widow is subjected to humiliation to prove she has no hand in her husband’s death. All kinds of punishments are inflicted on her such as making her drink the water used in washing her husband’s corpse, shaving off her hair and the likes.
3. Witch-hunting
This is a practice among the Edos. When a man or woman is suspected to either be a witch or a wizard due to strange occurrences or deaths in the family or community. Such a person is taken to a witch doctor to undergo all kinds of torture to force the truth out of them and make them confess.
4. Sharo festival
This is commonly practised among the Fulanis. It is done to prove that a young man has come of age and ready to take for himself a bride.
Sharo means flogging. The young man in question is continuously whipped by another, called a challenger, but he must show no signs of pain as this is to test his endurance level and his ability to persevere.
5. Female circumcision
This scary tribe is generally practised in Africa. Unlike the male circumcision which involves partial or complete removal of the foreskin around the genitals, the female circumcision involves total removal of the genitals just to preserve the woman’s chastity. Thanks to education and media, this practice is actually reduced in the country.
6. Fattening room
This is practised by the Efik people. The fattening room is a room where young women are kept and prepared for womanhood. In times past, being fat is equivalent to being prosperous and all. That’s what this room is basically about.
