Why 7 is the most dreaded number among the Kuria

Why 7 is the most dreaded number among the Kuria

For Christians, seven is the number of completeness and perfection (both physical and spiritual). It derives much of its meaning from being tied directly to God’s creation of all things.

But in Kuria, Migori County the number has a grave meaning and is shunned by anyone who does not want to go against the taboo.

To many, number seven is a cursed number and some clansmen are extra cautious to ensure they do not come across that number in their day to day activities.

“When I come to your house and you serve me with meat, I am forced to count the pieces to ensure they are not seven, I count them while eating and when I notice the only piece left is the seventh one I stop, so the host either adds more pieces or it stop at six,“ says Francis Marwa a resident of Kehancha, Kuria.

Away from meat, it is also a taboo to give birth to seven children.

“When a woman gives birth to seven children she will be forced to get another one to make them eight or else the seventh one must be killed, it is believed the seventh one can bring bad lack in the family and even lead to the death of the rest of the children” reiterated Marwa.

Joseph Mwita, another resident of Kehancha says his father was a victim of number seven.

“My father died after taking seven pieces of meat at a wedding ceremony, it is not a joke, it is very real,” recalls Mwita.

“Our culture does not even allow us to have wedding ceremonies on the seventh day, seventh month or any year ending with number seven it is considered bad lack.”

The fear of number seven is instilled from an early age; children are trained and are supposed to be vigilant to ensure they avoid it like the plague. Seven children cannot even be seen playing together.

“Even when you are on the queue, you have to ensure that you are not number seven or else you have to wait until another person comes in. If a child gets six friends playing, he can’t join them and they cannot allow him/her to join them,” insisted Marwa.

84-year-old Gasara Gesaya says the culture has been in existence for ages.

“Since I was born this culture has been there, number seven is a dangerous number,” says the octogenarian.

Although they have been concerted efforts by human rights activists in Kuria to stop the retrogressive culture, a section of residents insist on clinging to the tradition.

Tags:

Migori County Kuria killed Dreaded number 7 keep the seventh day holy Kuria women number seven TABOO

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