Nigeria is a country rich in ethnic diversity, and each group has its own beliefs about how to attain wealth and fame. These beliefs often emphasize easy ways to attract wealth, bypassing natural forces and luck.
Here are five money-making practices based on superstitious beliefs, none of which have been proven to work.
1. Money Baths
Many Nigerians believe in the power of “money baths” to attract wealth. This practice involves bathing with water infused with herbs, minerals, and symbolic objects. Common ingredients include:
- Cinnamon or mint
- Crystals
- Gold
These ingredients are believed to have the power to draw wealth towards those who use them.
2. Kayanmata Attraction Waist Beads
Kayanmata, meaning “women’s thing,” refers to charms used by women to enhance sexual prowess and attract favor. One popular kayanmata charm is the attraction waist bead, which is believed to:
- Attract love
- Bring good luck
- Draw money
- Enhance overall attractiveness
A Kayanmata website describes these beads as attracting positive things to the wearer.
3. Omi ìsanwô
In Nigeria, some people believe that food vendors use special rituals to attract customers. One such practice involves cooking with water that has been used to bathe a corpse or wash hands (omi ̬sanwô). This is thought to:
- Make food look more appealing
- Enhance taste
- Draw customers in
This practice is based on the belief that such water has the power to attract people and make them crave the food.
4. Ogwu Ego
Ogwu ego is a practice in Igbo culture aimed at manifesting wealth and fostering successful business connections. This ritual involves:
- Using herbs and roots
- Harnessing the life force through the withdrawal of blood
Ogwu ego is believed to attract wealth and protect businesses. However, it is considered less recommended spiritually, as it often involves using less ethical means to hinder the financial progress of relatives, leading to their poverty.
5. Rainmaking
Rainmaking is a practice known among the Igbo and Yoruba people. It involves performing rituals to control rain for various purposes such as:
- Preventing rain from interfering with ceremonies or business
- Irrigating farms
- Increasing agricultural productivity
The process usually involves incantations or burning specific leaves to release fumes that are believed to stop rain. By calling upon spiritual beings, gods, or ancestor spirits, practitioners believe they can control the weather temporarily.
These money-making rituals, while deeply rooted in Nigerian culture and tradition, are based on superstitious beliefs and lack scientific proof. They reflect the diverse ways in which people seek to attract wealth and success beyond conventional methods.
