I would have to agree with some of these superstitions. namely:
If they touch your skin they will attach themselves and one can only get rid of them together with the skin. Or, does it just feel that way?
They explode and out come the babies. If you don't get that egg laying container in there in time.
One can lose all the money after touching them. Yeah. Big time. Suddenly all your money disappears to "Reptile Depot" or "LLLreptile", for supplies, or to Pam and Mike and....
Seriously, though, having studied a bit of anthropology it seems that most such superstitions began as plausible explanations for unexplainable events, or, as a way to please deities, or as a way to exercise some control over seemingly random circumtances. Even though we're in the Christian ministry, and even though some of the superstitions hurt our sensibilities, my husband and I tend to respect them for what they are. We find researching their origins, as Stella wants to do, quite fascinating. And, often we discover a hint of God-conscience and of Creationism in their origins. When anthropology is taught in the seminary we attend, the students are taught that a missionary does not go forth to convert other nations to "Americanism", nor even to our values, but to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To those who receive the message and become Christians, we do not expect them to drop their culture, except for those issues within their culture that would violate the Word of God (such as the drinking of blood, which is forbidden in the Bible). In actuality, the Bible itself, and the history expounded within its pages, originated in Northern Africa. I would love to go to Africa someday and experience some of the many varied cultures for myself. Although, I have read of some traditions, such as throwing a chameleon into a fire for good luck, that I would be hardpressed to stand by and watch.
(house meaning anywhere in general...)
