As much as Igbo local markets exist as hubs for buying and selling goods, their culture significance extends beyond that. In Igbo reality, markets are considered a powerful spiritually charged points where the physical and metaphysical realms meet. The energy concentrated in these spaces is thought to attract spirits, who mingle with the living. It is believed that these encounters can be either benign or harmful, depending on how one conducts themselves in the marketplace. Let’s take a look at three major taboos to keep in mind when visiting an Igbo market, each tied to the belief in spiritual activity within these sacred spaces. For some, these taboos may be considered as mere superstitions.

Three Major Taboos for Igbo markets

Never Bend Down to Look Between Your Legs in the Market: One of the most well-known taboos in Igbo markets is the prohibition against bending down a certain way or looking between your legs while inside the market. It is believed that performing this act could allow you to see spirits, specifically those who are wandering through the market.
Seeing spirits in such a way is seen as a violation of a spiritual law, as these spirits generally do not wish to be seen by the living. If you catch a glimpse of them, it could lead to dire consequences. Some traditional beliefs even hold that those who break this rule risk losing their mental faculties, as the spirits might punish them by taking away their senses. It’s a cautionary reminder that the marketplace is a place for serious business.
End All Buying and Selling Before Sundown: In Igbo belief, as the sun sets, spiritual activity increases. This includes the marketplace, where spirits are believed to become more active after dark. Therefore, all forms of buying and selling are advised to cease before sundown to avoid interference from these spiritual entities.
The end of the day marks the transition from the domain of the living to that of the spirits, and lingering in the market after this time could put one at risk of inadvertently crossing paths with them. This tradition has practical undertones as well: markets in pre-colonial and colonial times usually did not have artificial lighting, so it made sense to conclude business before nightfall. But the deeper spiritual belief is that after sundown, the spirits “take over,” making it unsafe to engage in commerce.
Avoid Shouting or Screaming Someone’s Name in the Market: Shouting or screaming a person's name in the marketplace is also frowned upon. In Igbo tradition, names are believed to carry spiritual power, and calling someone’s name too loudly in a place as spiritually charged as the market could draw unwanted attention from spirits.
The market, as a vortex, is considered to be a space where energy flows intensely, and names, when called aloud, can act as beacons for spirits. Calling someone’s name in the market could inadvertently “summon” spirits or attract their interest in that person. To avoid this, it is advised to speak in moderate tones and avoid causing a stir that could create unnecessary spiritual disturbances.

Why These Taboos Matter

In Igbo culture, taboos (nso ala) serve as spiritual guidelines meant to keep people in harmony with both the physical and metaphysical worlds. The marketplace, as a space where commerce and spirituality intersect, requires respect and awareness of its unique energetic properties. These three taboos remind us that even in our daily activities, like going to the market, we must remain mindful of the unseen forces that govern the world around us.

Adhering to these taboos allow members of the community to not only protect themselves from harmful spiritual encounters but also maintain the balance and order that is central to Igbo cosmology. So next time you step into an Igbo market, remember these rules—respect the spirits, honor the space, and go about your business with reverence.

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Respecting the spiritual dynamics of an Igbo market helps to ascertain harmony in both the seen and unseen realms. What may seem like simple rules or superstitions are, in fact, deeper spiritual practices meant to keep people safe and balanced in the presence of powerful energies.

Did we leave out any taboos common in Igbo markets? Let us know in the comment section below. Dalu!