Opinions & Features

Four cool African birthday rituals you probably didn’t know

Photo: Farandwide

Ghana

In Ghana, birthdays are celebrated with a special treat called “oto”. The delicacy, which is made from mashed sweet potato and eggs is fried in palm oil. A generic Thanksgiving meal, the dish has a spiritual significance. Be sure you don’t use your left hand. In Ghana, the left hand is considered unclean and never used to eat.

Photo: Asempe Kitchen

The Asante people also celebrate birthdays with a special leaf that has been soaked overnight. According to them, the bath is a cleansing ritual intended to purify the inner soul.

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Novieku Babatunde Adeola

Novieku Babatunde Adeola is a content writer, entertainment journalist, freelance PR practitioner, and event engineer. His passion stems from the need to change the narrative in Africa and the diaspora. He has worked with several media organizations in Ghana.

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