In Mauritius, superstitions are a part of daily lives of people. Many people adhere to beliefs such as avoiding walking under ladders, as it is considered to bring bad luck. Similarly, the sight of a black cat crossing one’s path is often met with trepidation, being seen as an omen of misfortune. These beliefs, despite their seemingly arbitrary nature, continue to hold sway over the minds of many Mauritian individuals. Let’s checkout some of the most bizarre and arbitrary superstitions in Mauritius:
- Do not go outside or under a tree during eclipse
- During pitarpak, do not go any under tree after 6 in the evening and we should already be at home at 6pm because apparently after that time, spirits come out, both good and bad ones, so it is better to stay inside.
- La Roche qui Pleure is a famous legend. It is said that the rock was a young woman waiting at the top of the cliff while her lover was carried away by the waves, she ended up being frozen forever. People have claimed to have heard cries in the night but not proven, however, people avoid going there in the night.
- Don’t eat while standing. If you do so, all the foods will go in the stomach of the dog.
- Calèche de Lallmatie is a Mauritian legend around the village of Lallmatie which says that two women dressed in white riding two white horses were seen at night, close to midnight. People are still scared of the legend.
- Silly ones are also there like do not cut your nails after 6pm or do not wash your hair on Saturday but they have no base
- Do not buy any new metallic object on Saturday, something to do with Shani God.
Practices such as palmistry, astrology, and the use of talismans are prevalent in some communities, often influencing major life decisions and events. The belief in the influence of spirits and superstitions related to ancestors also plays a significant role in the lives of many Mauritians. The prevalence of superstition could be traced back to Indians who are the native inhabitants of Mauritius because India is a land of probably second most superstitions after China.