For many generations, people in Kuta community have lived with a strong traditional belief: anybody who sells pounded yam or groundnuts (especially fried ones) in the town will not live to see the next day. This age-old rule is still respected today, and it shapes daily life in this quiet agrarian town.
The taboo has been part of Kuta’s culture for close to 500 years. It started from the town’s founder, Oba Akindele Anlugbua, the progenitor of the Owu people in Kuta. According to local history, Anlugbua placed a curse on selling these items after a strange event involving his spirit. Residents say those who tried to break the rule in the past faced mysterious deaths or serious calamity. Watch D Video Here ➤
The story behind it is deep. Anlugbua was a powerful hunter and leader who lived for over 200 years. When he was ready to leave this world, he descended into the ground at a special spot. Later, some drunk people doubted him and called him back. Thinking there was war, he came out angry and started killing people. He only stopped when he saw the Owu tribal marks on their faces.
His horse slipped on yam peels and groundnut shells during the chaos. That is why he cursed the sale of pounded yam and fried groundnuts forever. Locals still appease him every year at that same spot.
The current traditional ruler, Olowu of Kuta, Oba Hammed Adekunle Makama Oyelude Tegbosun III, confirmed the taboo is strictly followed. He said even one of his predecessors who tried to break it paid with his life – his body reportedly melted like water. Food sellers in the town only offer rice, beans, amala, eba and other meals. No pounded yam. No hawking of groundnuts.
This belief is not new. Reports from as far back as 2017 in Tribune Online already highlighted it, and recent videos and posts show it is still strong in 2026.