Nepal, with a low literacy rate and many inaccessible villages deep into the Himalayas, sees many superstitions within its society. Some of them are based on logical explanations of beliefs while many are just baseless interpretations of old beliefs.
While many old superstitions and baseless beliefs have been rejected by society, there are still some that have managed to survive the test of time.
Here are those superstitions that still persist in Nepalese society:
1. Do not proceed if a cat crosses the road in front of you
This is probably one of the most common superstitions that are embedded deep into everyone’s mind. This is why drivers or persons stop in odd places on the road just to let some others pass by.
2. A howling dog foretells a death in the family
Dogs naturally howl for various reasons. But in many societies in Nepal, Dogs are considered to belong to lord Bhairav and their cry is often associated with misfortune about the befall a family, especially the death of a close family member and even that of a neighbor.
3. Combing your hair at Night is inauspicious
It is a common belief in many families in Nepal that combing your hair at night brings bad luck to the family.
This superstition is associated with the fact that in old times households lacked proper lighting and combing hair at night would result in meshy results and broken hair strands. However, the practice is still common in many Nepali families.
4. The sight of overturned Shoes is Unlucky
It is considered extremely inauspicious to see an overturned shoe. Nepalese almost always take their time to correct the overturned shoes as they believe it to have a bad impact on their work.
5. Crows foretells the coming of a new news/ Kagle Khabar lyauxhha
Crows are traditionally considered the messengers of the death god, Yama. Crows are believed to be messengers and they are said to foretell any happenings in the family or society.
That is why they are also worshipped on the first day of Tihar as a messenger of God.
6. Don’t Whistle At Night
Most people in Nepal are not comfortable with anyone whistling at night. It is believed that if you whistle at night, then you are inviting bad souls, devils, and ghosts to your house.
7. Hanging Lemon And Chili In Shops And Cars
It is a widely popular superstition in Nepal. It is believed that hanging dry lemon and chili on the front of shops and cars protects you and your business from evil spirits or from people’s wrong intentions.
These are only a few among many Superstitions in the Nepalese society, while many Superstitions are being rejected by the society, a few of them still persist.