The first couple of minutes of the video gives us a glimpse of the superstition even in high places in Kenyan regarding cats and particularly black cats.
Millie Odhiambo, a Kenyan MP, asked the chair that the debating chamber be evacuated immediately because a black cat had somehow got into the place.
“Chair we are just hearing sounds of a cat and we cannot see it. That is more worrisome than when you see the cat because that could be a spirit. Which means that the House should be evacuated with immediate effect.”
She also suggested that the chamber needed to be spiritually cleansed because the cat was black and superstition abounds in Kenyan with respect the powers of black cats.
“It is very worrisome that it is a black cat and the house needs to be evacuated. Chair. We need spiritual leaders for cleansing.”
There is an element of fun about the proceedings but there is a genuine fear of black cat juju among a percentage of the citizens of many, if not all, African nations.
To inject a bit of normality into proceedings another MP, Aden Duale, said that the cat represented the people of Kenya and his/her presence was the people overseeing their debate.
But he also said that the cat should be fed because he’s black and a bad omen. I guess he meant that the cat should be appeased to prevent a spell being cast over Parliament.
The Moment in History When People Became Superstitious about Black Cats
Cats are mysterious creatures, but I only worry about disappointing mine.
It boggles my mind that this superstition still exists in an environment where minds are suppossed to be educated.