Swimming Against The Tide Of Ember Months And Inherent Superstitions -By Isaac Asabor

It is not an exaggeration to say that not few Nigerians, including Christians and Moslems share the superstitious belief that surrounds the months of September, October, November and December, which are gullibly considered to be mythological, and in that light superstitiously categorized to be “Ember Months” have yesterday, September 1, 2021, commenced as a yearly cycle that usually run through 4 months; specifically expected to end on December 31, 2021.  The months are usually attributed with evil happenings, such as anyone that dies or any building gutted by fire within the period as well as any ghastly motor accident that occurred within the period is blamed on the month such gory incident occurred. Simply put, any misfortune that occurred would be blamed on any of the four months in the cycle as such month is called “ember month”.  

There is no denying the fact that from the beginning of any given year that misfortune usually happens, and cut across all the months. Analyzed from the foregoing backdrop, it is logical to opine that tragedy is not peculiar or new to any given month.  Again, the fact remains that when tragedy strikes, it is natural for those that are directly and vicariously affected to be angry, confused and heartbroken. It is also natural to ask: Why do bad things happen? In trying to answer the foregoing question, there is the tendency for people to become irrationally superstitious or rather sounding illogical.

In fact, as the curtain of 2021 is fast drawing to a close, the fact cannot be denied that the eight months that have being spent in the year so far are not devoid of misfortunes. It is then incongruous that despite the foregoing reality that people resort to isolate the 4 months from the 12 calendar months ostensibly to instill fear in people.

It is not an exaggeration to say in this context that at the mention of the months September, October, November and December that people instantly become panicky and afraid; at the mention of the suffix, “ember”, people tend to be afraid of road accidents, kidnappers, robbery attacks, end of year ritual killings; bomb, fuel scarcity and above all they mere mention of “ember” makes people afraid of the unknown.

Some people, unfortunately, call the last four months the months of doom, while others believe that some blood-sucking spirits take over our roads during these months. The ‘ember’ months, as they are fondly called, they say, are the most bloody of the calendar year. It is always received with joy amidst sorrow and fear. Record shows, however that these months always record the highest number of road accidents but strong opinions hold it that as the curtain of the year begin to draw to a close, there is the tendency for people to begin to exhibit an attitude of  joie de vivre.

For the sake of clarity, it is expedient in this context to have a deep insight into what superstition entails.  Without sounding sanctimonious, it is based on the ignorant faith of an object having magical powers. Another word for superstition is “idolatry.” The Bible does not support the idea of things occurring by chance, but nothing is done outside of God’s sovereign control. Either He causes or allows everything in keeping with His divine plan (Acts 4:28; Ephesians 1:10).

There are many types of superstitions in the world, ranging from the benign, such as not walking under a ladder, to the occult practices of astrology, black magic, divination, voodoo and sorcery. Scripture condemns those who practice astrology (Deuteronomy 4:19), magic, divination and sorcery (2 Kings 21:6, Isaiah 2:6). Idolatry is also forbidden, and no one who practices it will enter the Kingdom of God (Revelation 21:27). These types of practices are extremely dangerous because they open the minds of the practitioners to the influence of the devil. First Peter 5:8 warns us to “be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

It is expedient to advise at this juncture that we should eschew from getting our faith from things that contradict God’s will and purpose, but from things that align with the words of God, and which give eternal life. “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority” (Colossians 2:8-10).

In this context, it is expedient to say that there is no basis for anyone to be afraid of ember months as fear is a distraction. For instance, when Martha saw that Jesus had come to town, she welcomed him into the home where she and her sister lived (Luke 10:38). When Mary saw Jesus, she immediately sat down at his feet, and hung on his every word (Luke 10:39). “But Martha,” Luke tells us, “was distracted with much serving” (Luke 10:40).

To her credit, she was not distracted with little serving, but with much serving. And it’s hard for some of us to be too hard on her. She was hosting the Messiah, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, and she alone was preparing the food. Mary realized who Jesus was, and sat down to listen. Martha realized who Jesus was, and ran to do all she could for him.

The serving itself was not the problem, or at least not the main problem, especially given the social expectations for hospitality in her days. What, then, was the problem? Anxiety was consuming Martha. When she complained to Jesus that Mary was not helping her, he responded, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things” (Luke 10:41). Her grumbling had opened wide a window into her heart. Love was not inspiring her to serve; anxiety was. Her turmoil was driven by misplaced fear. How often is this true of us?

And not just a fear, but many fears. “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things.” This wasn’t just about hospitality. Martha was distracted from Jesus because her mind was drowning in the cares of this world. And because she would not stop and listen to Jesus, she was forfeiting the calm she so desperately needed.

At this juncture, there is no denying the fact that since the month of September ushered in the ember months yesterday that people have started panicking, anxious and afraid about everything as they look forward to December where they would literarily get engross in the quagmire of joie de vivre, and in that vein begin to “injure themselves” with alcoholic drinks, reckless driving and “dangerous living”. 

To my view, people should resort to studying the words of God and praying with them by each passing day, and believe in what God says so as to have the strength to swim against the tide of ember months and inherent superstitions.