Touching your eyes brings evil spirits? Let’s see clearly!

How widespread is the taboo?

Ah, African grandmothers! Their wisdom is endless, but sometimes, their warnings can be a little… exaggerated. “Stop rubbing your eyes! You’ll let in evil spirits!” Sound familiar? From marketplaces to village gatherings, many people still believe this, passing it down like a family recipe.

Why does it exist?

This myth likely came from a mix of hygiene concerns and spiritual beliefs. Touching your eyes with dirty hands can lead to infections like conjunctivitis (Apollo, as we call it). But instead of blaming germs, people linked it to spirits—because, let’s be honest, that sounds scarier!

What is the impact of the myth?

• People fear touching their eyes: even when they have an itch or something stuck in them.
• Eye infections get misunderstood: instead of treating them, some believe they need spiritual cleansing.
• Proper hygiene gets ignored: washing hands before touching the face is the real issue here!

How can we combat the myth?

• Spread the truth: Dirty hands carry bacteria, not spirits!
• Encourage handwashing: this is what actually protects the eyes.
• Educate people: that eye infections come from germs, not supernatural forces.

Bottom line?

No spirits are sneaking in through your eyes! The real danger is dirty hands, so wash them often. If your eyes itch, clean fingers are your best friends—not fear!