It's October, otherwise known as #SpookySzn, and I, like most people, am excited about all the things that fall and Halloween bring.
Halloween has been a long time coming, and people have been enthusiastic for a few months already. It feels like the second you start seeing Spirit Halloween stores pop up, it's time to start thinking about costumes, decorations, and candy choices.
me when spirit Halloween opens up
This got me thinking: What would be a fun way to get people even more into the spooky spirit?
So I reached out to our community on A*Pop, BuzzFeed's AAPI identity brand, to ask about cultural superstitions they know and possibly follow.
THIS MONTH ON A*POP: It's spooky szn! What are some cultural superstitions that you know about and possibly follow? What are your favs or ones that scare you the most? Let us know! Comment in the thread or tweet at @jessicakuma_ to be featured in an article on site✍️
Starting off the conversation, I shared a superstition that I've followed my entire life, courtesy of my Filipino mother (Hi, Mom!):
@apopbf when you gift a purse or wallet to someone, you put any amount of money in it (whether it be as little as $0.25 or like $50). the belief is that it will bring good fortune/financial success to the recipient of the gift!
Here are some of the responses we received:
1. Sleeping With the Fan On
@apopbf @jessicakuma_ don't sleep with the fan on 😩
Via our very own K-pop account, BuzzFeed Daebak, a common Korean superstition is not to sleep with the fan on. The belief is that running an electric fan in a closed room with unopened or no windows will cause death.
2. Chopsticks Sticking Straight Up in Your Food
3. Stepping Over People
4. Turning Your Plate
@apopbf @BuzzFeedDaebak @jessicakuma_ In the Philippines, may believe that it's important to turn your plate when someone leaves in the middle of a meal to have a smooth-sailing travel/drive.
5. Deceased Relatives With Butterflies and Dreams
6. Taking a Ring Off Someone's Finger
7. Letting Food Cool Before Refrigerating
@apopbf @jessicakuma_ If you put hot food in the fridge it goes bad faster so u have to let it sit outside first! Dunno if that's a Korean thing or not lol
8. Gifting Someone With Shoes
9. Dropping Cutlery
10. Asking for Permission From Spirits to Avoid Their Wrath
@apopbf @jessicakuma_ TABI TABI PO NUNO SA PUNSO ("passing through, Nuno"). Still say this out loud when i walk through grassy areas.
The nuno sa punso, or "ancestor in the anthill," is a creature that is said to reside in anthill and termite mounds. These creatures are known to inflict illness on those who disturb their dwelling place, and by saying "Tabi tabi po nuno sa punso," which translates to "Please let me pass by," you are asking them to move to the side to avoid hitting them as you walk past their home.
