No matter how sleek or adorable a cat may look, convincing your Nigerian mother to accept one as a pet is a battle you are unlikely to win. She might humor you for a day, but don’t be surprised if she “accidentally” leaves the gate open for the cat to escape!
For many Nigerian mothers, cats carry an eerie, unsettling aura that sets off their spiritual alarm bells. Whether you call it superstition or cultural wisdom, one thing is certain, your mother will look at a cat the same way she’d look at a mysterious calabash left at a crossroads, with deep suspicion and prayer on standby.
The fear of cats in Nigeria is not just about their slinky movements or their unsettling habit of staring into space as if they can see what humans cannot. The real problem lies in their age-old association with witchcraft. In many Nigerian cultures, cats, especially black ones are believed to be spiritual messengers.
Legends tell of witches transforming into cats to move unnoticed under the cover of night. Stories abound of people seeing a cat in their compound at midnight, chasing it away, only to hear that their troublesome neighbour mysteriously fell ill the next morning. Coincidence? Your Nigerian mother thinks not.
Then there are the eerie tales from village elders who claim to have witnessed cats appearing inside locked rooms or disappearing into thin air. If you bring a cat home, don’t be surprised if your mother launches into a prayer session longer than a vigil night, calling on divine protection before demanding that the mysterious creature be sent far, far away.
If you have ever heard a cat crying at night, especially during the peak hours of midnight to 3 AM, then you’ve felt the instant chill of a typical Nigerian. The sound is unsettling, carrying an almost human-like wail that some people believe is a signal between unseen forces. Some people go as far as calling it a “bush baby,” saying if you opened your window to look at it, it would instantly possess you!
For Nigerian mothers, hearing a cat at midnight is not just an unfortunate neighbourhood occurrence, it’s a spiritual situation that requires immediate intervention.
Your Nigerian mother is rooted in tradition, cultural wisdom, and a sixth sense that you will never fully understand. Cats, for her, are more than just animals; they are potentially spiritual creatures carrying unknown energies. And when it comes to spiritual safety, no Nigerian mother takes chances.
So, if you ever dream of having a cat, prepare for a long sermon, a bottle of anointing oil near the door, and a very strong suggestion that you get a dog instead.
Would you ever dare challenge your Nigerian mother on this? Well, good luck with that!
