Some of Corn Islands' Leap Year Superstitions
Every four years, February adds one extra day to its calendar, resulting in an entire year known as Leap Year, comprising 366 days instead of the usual 365.
Leap Year exists because it takes 365.25 days for Earth to orbit the sun, necessitating the addition of approximately one extra day to the calendar every four years.
In the Caribbean, like in many other societies worldwide, Leap Year brings with it numerous beliefs and superstitions, some more credible than others, passed down from one generation to the next.
The Corn Islands is no exception to these beliefs. The following are some of the most popular Leap Year beliefs among the islanders, many of which carry negative connotations.
A year of bad luck: New projects or plans should never be initiated during a Leap Year, as they are believed to have no chance of success. The same applies to marrying during a Leap Year, as it is thought to lead to negative events and eventual separation. Similarly, giving birth to a child during a leap year is believed to predispose them to a life of misfortune.
Injuries will not heal easily: It is believed that during a Leap Year, physical injuries take longer to heal compared to other years. For instance, children are advised against climbing trees to prevent falls and potential injuries, as the chances of a speedy recovery are significantly reduced.
A year of disasters: Another widely held belief is that Leap Year is marked by major catastrophic events, such as natural disasters like hurricanes, as well as other crises, including political upheavals, sickness and perceived apocalyptic signs. The latter belief is particularly tied to biblical interpretations from the book of Revelation.
Leap Day: The additional day in February (the 29th), known as Leap Day, occurs only once every four years. It is believed that individuals born on this day will lead a life filled with luck and endless youth, in comparison to those born on any other day of a Leap Year. However, few people born on this day celebrate it as their official birthdate; instead, most parents opt to designate February 28th or March 1st as their child's birthday when they are born on Leap Day.
