I should have named this post, funny beliefs and superstitions of OLD Belize, since, for some reason, the younger generation of Belizeans aren’t as superstitious. Actually, when you look at some of the beliefs, you can’t help but laugh at how ridiculous they sound. But of course, I respect and understand why these superstitions played such a vital part of their lives.
The beliefs were passed down from parent to child over several generations, and these stories were used as tools to keep their children at bay from too much mischief and/ or harm. The same goes for Belizean folklore, when our parents warned us about the mythical characters of Belize and that they would appear to us if we misbehaved, we improved our behavior.
Related: Get to know Belizean Folklore
1. Never sharpen your pencil on both sides, bad things will happen
This one was made popular by teachers, they would tell students that sharpening a pencil on both sides would bring bad luck and someone in your family could also die. Why would anyone want to sharpen both sides of a pencil? Well for starters, if a side broke, you’d have the other side to use, and second, kids also tried anything to seem cool and different. I assume that since sharp objects around kids are dangerous, adults made up that saying so that kids would be safer.
2. Bad Breeze wa ketch yuh
Don’t be making funny and weird faces or mimicking physically impaired persons since “Bad Breeze” could catch you and you would stay like that forever. Bad breeze was referred to as a bad wind that would permanently let you stay in the mocking manner you were. Since children love mischief, parents made up this superstition to make sure they respected others.
3. Boys and girls, when someone is sweeping, don’t let the broom hit your feet
If the broom hits your feet, that would mean that you’d have to marry an old lady or man. This was probably made popular by moms who didn’t want their children running around whenever they were sweeping and doing house chores. This was a hit among young girls as they surely didn’t want to marry an old grumpy man.
4. Big Peteh or Tamales foot
Don’t walk around barefoot as you’ll grow a “Peteh” or “Tamales foot”. Peteh is the Belizean creole word for big, flat and broad feet. I don’t know why but growing up, there was nothing better than being without shoes or sandals. Heck, I even enjoyed playing soccer barefoot as I had better control of the ball. Adults always warned us about putting on shoes or sandals, but I think it was just because they wanted us to protect our feet from prickles and bruises.
5. Mind yuh turn mermaid pan Good Friday
When Easter came, school was out and everyone wanted to spend hot days at the river. But on Good Friday, no one was allowed to go to the river since you’d turn into a mermaid. This was ridiculous and I knew adults only said that because as Christians, Good Friday was meant to be a day to forego all pleasures and imitate the suffering and death of Christ.
6. No give and tek back, yuh wa ketch Piscuch
This one is funny. If you gave something away and later took it back later, you would catch a “Piscuch”, a small bump on the eyelid – which is actually a Chalazion. This was done to prevent kids from being mean and to embrace sharing their toys and snacks with others. Also, another way you could supposedly catch a piscuch was by watching dogs have sex or take a dump. (HAHA)
Now I’ll pass the baton, what are some superstitions you grew up with?
Gustavo Chan says
Don’t whistle at night or tata duhende will come for you, don’t cry at night or llorona will come for you also jaja parents for sure knew how to keep us quiet
Jelena says
HELLO, im doing an international, folk stories from around the world, project.
Belize is one of the countries I’m researching and I cannot find any written stories that I found to be popular among the creole community.
is there a place or way where I can find full stories- I have a special interest in Hashishi Pampi.
I would be so grateful for your help. -Jelena
regards from Croatia!
lolo says
What is the official name for the first one?
jojo says
Anyone heard of the moneybirds?
Lorenzo Gonzalez says
I havent.. care to elaborate?
Susan Nabors says
Me & my husband would like to move to belize &find a small country home can you help us?
Summer says
Don’t open an umbrella in the house. Breaking a mirror is 7 years bad luck. A 4-leaf clover, if found, will bring good luck for sure, as will a rabbits foot. This is very strange, since the rabbit HAD 4 of them. I also find it interesting that cats in the US have 9 lives, but cats in Mexico only have 7.
Nathaniel Reneau says
i’m 20 and i still believe in these lol. especially the one about giving and taking back. this was a great reminder of my childhood. thanks mien 🙂
Lorenzo Gonzalez says
@nathanielreneau:disqus haha glad you liked them!
Lythia Awe says
This is awesome Lorenzo! All these superstitions amuse me! You forget fu seh how fu get rid of the piscuch… pass wah knife nine times over your eye ! Lol
Have you ever heard about this one. .. Neva open umbrella inah the house. It wah bring bad luck.
Lorenzo Gonzalez says
@lythiaawe:disqus yes, thats the way to remove it.. lol Nope, never heard the umbrella one.
brad Belize says
These are awesome.
You know, I have noticed since I moved here 5+ years ago and pretty much never wear shoes, My feet are much wider by the toes area and tennis shoes hurt to wear all day now.
My families feet (in the States) looks skinny/funny to me now.
Lorenzo Gonzalez says
Haha Good point.. No wonder some of my friends from Caye Caulker had such broad feet. They never wore shoes!
Anita Mac says
Awesome!
Lorenzo Gonzalez says
Thanks 🙂
Cristina says
These are hilarious!!! Poor kids lol!
Lorenzo Gonzalez says
Thanks! Did you grow up with any crazy ones, Cristina?
Lorenzo Gonzalez says
Yeah. Lol
Cam Wears says
Hah! Nice one! Watch out for that broom 🙂
Lorenzo Gonzalez says
I always did! Haha
Irina says
haha good ones! never keep an empty bottle [of booze] on the table – bad luck…. put it under the table when it’s done.. have no idea where it’s coming from
brad Belize says
People who drink too much hide how much they drink 😉
Lorenzo Gonzalez says
Maybe it was to hide that you had a drinking problem? 😛 JK Nice one, thanks for sharing!
Evan says
when someone dies you are not to serve tamales until 3 days. Belief is that tamales is wrapped and you may bury another family member
Lorenzo Gonzalez says
Wow, I had never heard this one before. Thanks for sharing!
Holly Edgell says
Don’t put your purse on the floor, it could cost you. Is that a Belize one, or universal?
Lorenzo Gonzalez says
Hehe Not sure if it’s universal but it’s used in Belize!
Wynema says
Its universal. Ive heard in Southern US States and in Maryland
Melanie says
These are funny. Great insider tips for travellers to fit in with the locals. I love the one about turning into a mermaid. Some, like the bad breeze wa ketch yuh are heard here too:)
Lorenzo Gonzalez says
Really? Didn’t know “Bad Breeze” was used here… That’s interesting!
Lorenzo Gonzalez says
Hehe Glad i was able to entertain!
Elio says
No sweep the dirty through the front door cuz eh wah bring bad luck.
Lorenzo Gonzalez says
Or no got black puss caz da bad luck.. yu still like black puss.
Lorenzo Gonzalez says
Or no have black cat like dem black puss yu like! Lol
Maryam says
Ha! These are good ones Lencho! :0) Some that I remember are: 1. No walk ova somebody weh di lay down, yuh di shorten dehn life, 2. No stir dih pot with wah knife, yu wah bring strife eena di house, 3. No mek more than one person play eena yo hair, yo di shorten yo life…4. No sweep da night, yo di sweep out the blessings, 5. and No throw wah hat pan di bed, yo di shorten yo life….and mein, the list goes on and on and on….lol
Lorenzo Gonzalez says
Ya, i rememba all a dem weh yu js mention! Lol