Ghana is a beautiful blend of modern innovation and ancient wisdom. While skyscrapers and smartphones are now part of daily life, many Ghanaians still live by traditional taboos and spiritual beliefs that have shaped communities for centuries.
These customs—passed down through oral tradition—go beyond religion or superstition. They serve as cultural guardrails, promoting morality, environmental conservation, and social harmony.
In this article, we’ll explore taboos and beliefs still practiced today in Ghana, their cultural significance, and how they continue to influence life from the city streets to remote villages.
Why Taboos and Beliefs Still Matter
In Ghana, especially in rural areas, traditional leaders, elders, and spiritualists still play powerful roles. These customs are not just cultural—they’re practical. For instance, many taboos help preserve natural resources, promote hygiene, or ensure societal order.
⚠️ Did you know? Some communities still avoid fishing on certain days to allow aquatic ecosystems to regenerate.
Commonly Observed Taboos in Ghana
1. No Whistling at Night
- Belief: Whistling at night attracts evil spirits or snakes.
- Cultural insight: It’s a way to maintain quiet and reduce danger at night, especially before electricity was common.
2. Do Not Sweep at Night
- Belief: Sweeping at night drives away your blessings or spiritual protection.
- Modern logic: Prevents accidentally sweeping out valuables in low visibility.
3. No Fishing on Tuesdays
- Communities: Especially common among coastal Fante and Ewe communities.
- Reason: Tuesdays are sacred; believed to be the day the sea gods rest.
- Hidden benefit: This “rest day” allows fish stocks to replenish naturally.
4. No Drumming During Certain Sacred Periods
- Observed in: Ga communities (e.g., during Homowo festival preparation)
- Meaning: Periods of silence show respect to ancestral spirits.
5. Don’t Call a Newborn by Name Until a Ritual is Performed
- Reason: Babies must be “accepted” spiritually before being recognized publicly.
- Ceremony: Called outdooring, often done after 7–8 days.
Cultural & Religious Taboos
6. Taboo Relationships
- Incest or inter-clan marriages are often forbidden among certain ethnic groups like the Ashanti, Ewe, and Mole-Dagbani.
7. Left Hand Usage
- Using the left hand to greet, give money, or pass items is seen as disrespectful in most Ghanaian cultures.
🤲 Tip: If you’re left-handed, try to use your right hand in formal or traditional settings.
8. Women and Sacred Sites
- In many communities, menstruating women are not allowed near shrines, rivers, or sacred groves.
- While controversial today, these practices stem from deep cultural roots about purity and spiritual reverence.
Spiritual Beliefs Still Practiced
9. Libation Pouring
- A drink (often schnapps or palm wine) is poured on the ground to honor ancestors before big events—weddings, funerals, or meetings.
10. Consulting the Oracle or Priest (Bɔsɔmfo)
- Especially in Akan and Ewe cultures, families seek guidance through oracles before major decisions—marriage, land disputes, illness, etc.
11. Naming After Ancestors or Days of the Week
- Many Ghanaians still name children based on the day they were born (e.g., Kwame, Akosua) or ancestral heritage.
Regional Variations of Taboos
| Region | Unique Belief/Taboo |
|---|---|
| Ashanti | Forbidden to farm on sacred stool land |
| Northern Ghana | Some communities forbid twins from staying in the same room |
| Volta Region | Sacred forests must not be entered without rituals |
| Upper East Region | Chiefs cannot be buried in public cemeteries |
🔗 Learn more about Ghana’s diverse traditions in our post: Ghanaian Traditions Still Practiced Today
How These Taboos Shape Modern Ghana
While modernization has softened the grip of these beliefs in urban centers, many Ghanaians—young and old—still uphold them out of respect, fear, or cultural pride.
Even in Accra or Kumasi, you may notice:
- Libations at public ceremonies
- Tuesdays with empty beaches
- Shrines guarded by taboo rules
📷 Fun fact: The famous “No fishing on Tuesdays” practice has become an eco-tourism topic in coastal towns like Elmina and Anomabo.
Taboos in Ghana aren’t just about fear or superstition. They’re woven into the fabric of life, guiding behavior, protecting nature, and preserving community values.
If you’re visiting or living in Ghana, respecting these customs is not only polite—it’s a way to connect more deeply with the people and their stories.