MYTHS OF “EMBER” MONTHS: True or false?

……It’s the month Prophet Mohammed died, Cleric
……Obey traffic rules, safety of life not negotiable – LASTMA
For some folks, the last four months of every year with the string “ember” are not just the regular months spanning September to December, the mythical aura these months attract, according to observers, have continued to stir apprehension year in, year out.

While many believe that ember months are the most dangerous of each year because of the calamities – especially vehicular accidents that escalate during the period, others dismiss them as unfounded.

Now, half way towards the climax of ember months, the beliefs about ember months can be subsumed under two broad categories: myths and realities. But do ember months really come with evil forebodings?

What religious leaders say
The General Overseer of God’s Seed Ministry, Pastor Bola Olajuyitan, says people have reasons to be apprehensive when ember
months approach, acknowledging that although terrible happenings may occur any time during the year, but the frequency is higher during ember months.

His submission: ‘‘I can’t say there is no reason for people to fear when ember months approach. Criminals do more damage during these months than other months because they want to keep up with the Joneses.

People want to celebrate Christmas at all costs so they resort to all manner of illegitimate means to have a grand celebration. They want their village folks to know that “they have arrived” when they go home at Christmas.

“No one can really explain it away, but we record more accidents during this period and evil people are on the prowl so, as a shepherd, it is my duty to pray to give them the spiritual support they need to receive the mercy of God during this period.’’

Throwing some light on the preparation he makes to fortify his congregation for ember months, the cleric said he gathers them for a vigil before the time steps in.

“A week to the end of the month of August, we usually have a seven-days vigil to ward off evil, and it has been working for all of
us over the years.’’

An Elder of the Jehovah’s Witness, John Uti, declares that both good and evil happen every day; therefore, no month or months should be given special attention.

Quoting from the Book of Ecclesiastes 9:11, John says the evil attached to the months of September to December only exists in the imagination of those who prefer to hold such belief, pointing out that God owns all the seasons.

“We don’t celebrate Christmas in our Church, so we don’t equate anything special to Christmas or September to December. Whatever happens during this period happens every other time.

I used to have a sister that was a member of a Pentecostal Church; she prayed fervently against evil in December, but she died in January, so what’s the difference?”

In the same vein, an Islamic cleric, Jamiu Atolagbe, says nothing in Islam separates ember months from other months, stating that the Islamic calendar is different from the Gregorian calendar.

However, Atolagbe acknowledged that some Muslims hold strong opinion about Safar, which is the month of October.

“Safar is the month that Prophet Mohammed died. Some Muslims believe October is associated with evil because it is the month Prophet Mohammed died. They don’t hold weddings, house warming or any form of ceremonies or celebrations in October.

“They believe that October is the month evil occurs the most each year, but I don’t share their belief. Safar is the second month of the year and, for us Muslims, the year has just begun.’’

Right to life on the highway not negotiable – FRSC
The Acting Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Lagos, Miss Bisi Sonusi, says it is the duty of everyone to make every road user safe.

She says it is erroneous to conclude that evil forces cause havoc during ember months on our roads. “It is erroneous to say witches and wizards cause havoc during this time on our roads.

There is more traffic on our roads during ember months because many things that needed to have been done in the early and middle parts of the year were left till the end of the year, so there is congestion.”

The traffic officer referred to the theme for this year’s ember watch – “Right to life on the highway is not negotiable’’ and said every one must obey traffic rules, “Be in the right frame of mind and avoid using phones while driving, among other precautions.

It is not true that the rate of accidents increase during this period. When we release the statistics for this year by the end of January next year, you can compare and contrast.

It is the way we are wired,” she said. A psychologist, Debo Adebimpe, says the fears about ember months can’t be totally dismissed because of the way we are.

“We grew up thinking that this period is the dangerous part of the year, but even when I somewhat agree, it’s our creation as a people. We want to impress the next man. I think it explains why people go out of their way to have financially-oiled celebrations – legitimately or illegitimately.

“It’s all about the frenzy to end the year on a note of grandeur. I won’t be insincere by saying these things don’t happen. It’s largely due to the way we are,” he concluded.