Whether you believe in or have heard of hiking taboo or not, most probably you have encountered the situation below…
It was a beautiful and sunny day, and you were hiking with your hiking buddies. – Such a perfect day to hike!
But, you slipped and fell, which hurt your hips and legs soooo badly. – It is a total disaster to you.
Your excitement vanished totally; you felt frustrated and you wanted to complaint. And, you suddenly burst out the F word!
Meanwhile, one of your hiking buddies felt shocked and told you to shut your mouth, and told you NEVER ever complain or swear while hiking in the forest because it is related to hiking taboo. He told you to apologize to the forest. – Well, is he nuts? Why should I apologize to “nobody”?
Or, sometimes, when you discussed about the news where those hikers got lost in the forest / mountain, someone would relate them to the spirit of the forest / mountain.
“Well, are they SUPERSTITIOUS? There is no such thing in this world!”
Are you familiar with this? Do you have similar reaction? However, why are there taboos when hiking and camping?
Believe them or not, there are several common taboos when it comes to hiking or camping, which you may be interested or aware of.
1. Respect the spirit
To me, this is the most fundamental hiking taboo. If you encounter those people who believe in taboo in the forest or mountain, they will definitely advise you to RESPECT the spirit.
The spirit is SACRED. If we don’t respect the spirit, bad luck or bad things will happen to us.
For example, an earthquake of 6.9 magnitude happened in Mount Kinabalu in 2015. This earthquake had cost the lives of 18 people. And, some people believed that a group of hikers who stripped and urinated at the mountain caused the earthquake, which angered the mountain spirit.
Also, another story is about an engineer who didn’t believe in superstitious tales. While he entered the jungle for engineering work purpose, he ignored the advice, which he considered superstitious. One day, he acted strangely and suddenly disappeared. The people found him dead a few days later. – The natives believed that the mountain spirit had taken his soul away.
Many also believe that as long as we respect the spirits, the spirits will PROTECT us. In fact, I had an experience when I got lost in the jungle while hiking although the trail was straight forward.
But, the moment I realized I got lost, I tried to remain calm, and I apologized to the spirits if I offended them. And, I would be grateful if I could find and get back to the trail. I wandered around for half an hour, and when I looked at certain direction, suddenly I knew it was the RIGHT direction and I followed the direction.
Eventually, I was back to the trail. I believe the spirit protected me and directed me to the right direction. – Believe or not, I was grateful because I felt protected.
2. Don’t complain / swear
It is common and unavoidable that, sometimes, we might feel frustrated while hiking, probably because of exhaustion, accidents, or encountering bad people. We even complain or swear!
Why is it a hiking taboo to complain or swear? Well, complaining or swearing is a form of NEGATIVE energy. Similar to Law of Attraction, when we carry and radiate negative energy, we ATTRACT bad outcome.
Likewise, we need to carry positive energy so we attract good outcomes. And, that is why we should always feel appreciated and have respect when we enter the mountain / forest.
I am pretty sure you don’t like to listen to complaints and swearing from people, right? You feel angry and agitated. Likewise, if we keep complaining and swearing in the mountain or forest, bad things might happen to us.
I heard a story from a hiker as well. During our hike, he heard “someone” whispering to him, telling him to “stop hiking……”. But, we didn’t hear the whisper. He only told us after the hike. Luckily, we are all safe and sound.
Not forgetting to mention, he did complain before this hike, saying he was tired and wished not to hike during that day. Whether it is superstitious or not, I really believe it is important to carry positive vibe while hiking.
3. Don’t call real name / reply
Believe it or not. Spirits are in the forest / mountain, although we couldn’t physically “see” them.
So, why couldn’t we call the real name of the people? It is because they can “hear” what we are saying. Mentioning the real name of the people makes the spirits recognize the people, which they might lure the people to follow them. – And of course, don’t reply if someone mentioned your name!
There is a horror story happened in Mount Qilai, a mountain in Taiwan’s Taroko National Park. There was a group of hikers hiking in Mount Qilai. The different pace of hikers has lengthened the team.
As it was very MISTY on that day, there came 3 men with the ancient style poncho approaching the last and alone hiker from the opposite direction and asking him whether he recognized the “NAME” of the hiker.
The hiker replied that was his NAME, and the 3 men explained to him that they wanted to lead him to use shortcut, so he could meet his hiking buddies. So, he FOLLOWED the 3 men.
After a short walk, the hiker heard his hiking buddies telling him to stop, and walk backward without turning his head. He DID so. Then, his hiking buddies grabbed him and covered his mouth.
The mist disappeared very soon, so as the 3 men. He finally discovered that he was about to fall off the cliff, had he not listened to his hiking buddies! They could hear the voice “It’s your fault!” at the bottom of the cliff!
Back to this. So, if we couldn’t call the real name? Then how should we address our hiking buddies? – Many people prefer calling each other by NICKNAME when hiking and camping. You’ll definitely need to remember this hiking taboo.
4. Don’t make noise / shout
When someone visits you, do you like your guest shout loudly and make noise at your house? – You don’t like that, certainly.
Same goes to the forest / mountain. We are essentially visitors when we enter the forest / mountain. If we shout or make noise, we are DISTURBING the peace of the forest / mountain.
As people believe that spirits can hear what we say, this can attract their attention. In return, injuries or accident might happen.
Well, if you don’t believe this, making noise or shouting in the forest / mountain is also not a good idea. This is because the noise can grab the attention of wild animals, which expose your whereabouts. – Essentially, you are welcoming the wild animals to approach you.
5. Don’t respond to strange thing
I’m not sure whether you have encountered this where you saw something really spectacularly attractive or smell nice scent when hiking. Because of our CURIOSITY, we want to know what these are.
But, we need to RESIST our curiosity, and don’t respond to those things! We need to pretend we don’t see or smell them. – Yeah, this is another hiking taboo, strangely.
Some believe that spirits may trick and lure the hiker. If we follow the scent of smell or attractive things, very probably we might get off the trail and get lost in the jungle!
Another story that I heard was a hiker called his hiking buddy in front of him. His hiking buddy didn’t turn his head and kept hiking. He called a few times, yet his hiking buddy didn’t respond to his call. A few moments later, his hiking buddy disappeared.
But, what actually horrifying thing is, he then realized that his hiking buddy was actually BEHIND him and he was trying to catch up his pace! – So, who is the “hiking buddy” in front of him?
6. Don’t pick up things
In the forest, we like special things like flowers, insects, stones or gems. We sometimes wish to bring those things back home.
Yes, if you wish to pluck the flowers or pick up the stones or gems, think twice before you do so. Never ever bring back home anything from the forest / mountain!
That is because those flowers, insects, stones or gems belong to the forest / mountain. And, if we bring those things back home, the spirits may expect something from us in return.
But, actually you don’t need to think this as a hiking taboo. Why? Because this is essentially “stealing”. Stealing is a crime, not to mention stealing in the forest!
What you could do instead? – Simple, just take photos!
7. Don’t simply pee or poo
What? Peeing and pooping are also related to hiking taboo? – WTH!
Yep, while it is unavoidable if we want to attend natural call, we need to do them STRATEGICALLY. – Like, how?
Before we pee or poo, we need to find a place, probably a few metres away from the trail. Next, we are advised to say “excuse me” before we settle our business. This is to inform the spirits in advance to use the “bathroom”, so that we don’t offend them.
In case you are worrying that the spirits do not understand your language, no worries, many claim that the spirits can understand any language because they can read our mind.
However, NEVER ever try to settle your business on a grave stone, big boulders or even termite or ant nest! This is because there are spirits in the grave stone and big boulders and doing so will offend the spirits.
Why couldn’t we pee on termite or ant nest? Let’s see this story.
There was a kid urinated on the termite nest. That night, his private part became swollen. The doctor couldn’t find any thing bizarre, though. One day, his mother brought him to a priest and then the priest found out that the kid offended the spirit by urinating on the termite nest.
The priest then advised them to sprinkle some salt and water as a form of ritual to apologize to the spirit. Soon after that, he didn’t feel painful anymore!
8. Don’t simply set up tent
Don’t be frustrated that there is another rule for setting up tent for camping. Wouldn’t we set up the tent on a flat place?
Yes, but we need to watch out the place where we set up our tent. We are advised NOT to set up the tent next to the river, banana and bamboo trees and on the trail.
BANANA and BAMBOO TREES are believed to be the place where the spirits reside. – So, you want to be the “neighbour” of the spirits?
Alright, so why couldn’t we set the tent next to the river and on the trail? There are a few stories which the campers set up the tent on these places and they found out that they are at DIFFERENT place the next day!
Not sure whether these stories are real or not, but I could understand the rationale of not setting up the tent next to the river, possibly due to the safety. It is because to avoid the attack of the beast if they come to river to drink water. And it helps the campers save themselves / evacuate if there is rush of the river.
9. Don’t tap shoulder
Although this is considered another hiking taboo, I think this is actually a common manner.
Let’s think about this. When you are focusing on something, how do you feel if someone, unexpectedly, tap your shoulder? – You’ll definitely be shocked and terrified.
Moreover, you even don’t want this to happen when you are in the forest or mountain. Some people believed that our soul is weakened when we are shocked. A weakened soul is vulnerable to the “invitation” of the spirits.
We might be able to “see” the spirits and even get sick because of this.
So, it is always silly or dumb to tap the shoulder of your hiking buddy because he may be terrified by your small act.
If you want to draw his attention, just say “hey” or call his nickname.
10. Pray
For those who have hiked in Asian countries, have you ever seen a mini shrine next to the trailhead? If yes, have you ever thought of the reasons why there is a mini shrine?
Depending on the countries, the mini shrine usually is used to worship God of Earth. God of Earth protects people or hikers who enter the forest / mountain.
In fact, loggers and construction companies worship God of Earth as a BLESSSING or PROTECTION to them because they are afraid that they will anger the forest / mountain spirit due to the nature of their work.
So, if you happen to see a mini shrine next to the trailhead, you can have a simple pray before you enter the forest / mountain.
But, don’t ever try to eat the fruits or drink the water at the mini shrine because those are used to worship the God of Earth. And, of course, don’t lean against the mini shrine because it can be seen as a sign of disrespect.
Some people, however, insist to pray before they enter the forest / mountain even there is no mini shrine next to the trailhead. So, if you hike in Asian countries, you can ask your tour guide or the people around to know their hiking culture. – No harm to ask, as you can gain some additional knowledge.
11. Don’t tell horror stories
We all love horror stories, no matter how frightening they are. And then, we end up afraid to go to the bathroom or suffer from sleepless nights.
Notwithstanding this, we are driven to listen or watch the horror stories or movies due to excitement and curiosity.
And, while CAMPING, some people LOVE to tell horror stories because it can attract the campers listen to them; it makes the whole atmosphere tensed and excited.
Yes. Some people tell you NOT to tell horror stories at night while camping. – The spirits might join to hear your stories.
Speaking off spirits, horror stories will frighten the listeners and then they become SUSPICIOUS of everything. More so, don’t expect a sound and restful sleep from them.
The next day, they are tired and anxious. This makes them more prone to injuries. So, do you think they have a fun camping experience?
12. Respect sacred prohibition
Human has already climbed Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world. So, literally, human can climb ALL mountains in the world, right?
The truth is: not really. Human is PROHIBITED to climb some mountains, at least from the perspective of SPIRITUALITY or RELIGION.
One example would be Mount Kailash, a pyramid-like mountain. Mount Kailash is the most sacred and holy mountain in the world. Mount Kailash is unique and sacred according to the 4 religions:
- Hinduism – Residence of Shiva and centre of the world
- Buddhism – Residence of Buddha Cakrasamvara
- Jainism – Ancestor Rishabhanatha attain the path
- Bon – Nine-story Swastika, i.e a mountain with spiritual power
Some climbers attempted to climb Mount Kailash but all failed to reach the summit of Mount Kailash, except for a Buddhist monk, Milarepa. The natives believe that climbing Mount Kailash is blasphemous.
We cannot climb Mount Kailash. However, trekking around Mount Kailash is available. In fact, monks TREK around Mount Kailash as pilgrimage.
13. Avoid hiking during ghost festival / month
Actually, this is a general taboo related to Chinese tradition, rather than a hiking taboo.
As a common rule, people try not to go outdoors during the ghost festival / month because it is the most active period of the spirits to hang around. The spirits may even follow the people back home if they go back home at late night.
Because of this, many people avoid hiking during this period. However, if people insist to hike during this period, usually group day hike is the option. And, camping in the forest / mountain during this period is definitely not a good idea.
How do we know which period is the ghost festival / month? Well, the exact ghost festival is 14th day of the SEVENTH month of the LUNAR calendar. So, the ghost month is the seventh month of the Lunar calendar.
The ghost month falls between August and October of the GREGORIAN calendar. If you have a hiking trip in Chinese-cultural countries between August and October, you can check with the tour guide or the local people on the exact period of the ghost month.
This is because the Lunar calendar doesn’t sync with the Gregorian calendar, and there is reconciliation (i.e. leap month in Lunar calendar) for every 3 years.
Final thought
Do you think the above are merely superstitious?
Whether you believe them or not, I believe we need to be HUMBLE and have RESPECT to the nature.
We won’t deny that those taboos relate mostly to spirits or religions, but you can notice many of the taboos relate to how we should behave in daily lives. – Many of them are common sense!
In fact, different cultures have different taboos when it comes to forest or mountain. So, don’t be surprised that there are other taboos out there which are not in this post.
However, I believe it is always exciting to check with the local people on the hiking taboo when we have hiking trips. – We learn not only about hiking taboo, but also their culture!
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