What is wrong with using the left hand?

There is something sleek about the left hand. This is mainly because when a leftist uses that hand to write or work there is certain strangeness to the whole activity. It seems one has to turn the head this way and that trying to understand how they (the leftists) do it. The preferred use of […]

There is something sleek about the left hand. This is mainly because when a leftist uses that hand to write or work there is certain strangeness to the whole activity. It seems one has to turn the head this way and that trying to understand how they (the leftists) do it. The preferred use of the left hand to the right is however not an issue of choice as some children are known to either be born with that preference or grow up with the habit. The left hand is associated with disrespect and bad manners in arguably many (if not all) Nigerian cultures. It is the hand usually used to perform acts that are otherwise irritating to a person: This could be the picking of a dirty object, washing or wiping the backside after defecating.   
According to Wikipedia, left-handedness refers to those who primarily use their left hand to accomplish things. LifeXtra gathered that although many cultures and traditions in the country may hold the same view that using the left hand shows disrespect and lack of manners, there are certain differences worthy of note.
According to Mr. Thompson Orimoloye; in Yoruba tradition they (the Yoruba) believe that nothing good comes out of one that uses the left hand. When he was a child his uncle cut his left hand and put pepper in it to prevent him from eating with it, but when it healed; he continued using the same hand to eat. His experience shows how strongly the Yoruba detest the use of the left hand to eat. But is it true that nothing good comes out of one that uses the left hand? Jon (not real name), a leftist boasted that they are known to be more artistic and hardworking because they use the left hand.   
It appears there is a strong belief in the minds of many Nigerians when it comes to using the left hand. The question is; what then happens when the left hand is being used, either knowingly or unknowingly?
LifeXtra learnt from Mr. Ajunwa that it is a taboo in Igbo land to give or collect anything from an elder with the left hand. When this occurs in a formal meeting, such a person will be fined “a keg of palm wine and a bottle of hot drink,” he said.
Umar (not real name) however lays all the blame on improper upbringing. He stressed that in the Hausa tradition it would totally be the fault of the parents if a child (that is a leftist) is allowed to form the habit of eating with his left hand. According to him; he or she is supposed to be taught to use the right hand no matter what in acts such as eating, handshake and giving things to another person. “But acts such as writing or working can be excused,” he said.     
In this modern time, less and less people are holding unto this tradition. These days some use the left hand to hand over an object without giving much thought to what it may mean to the receiver, while some again quickly withdraw the hand when they realize their error. Dan (not real name) narrated how he gave money to someone and realized his mistake when the individual’s expression reflected hurt. “In fact, he told me in annoyance that he will not collect the money anymore,” he said.
However, there is one fact that cannot be disputed: The traditions of a people dictates over time their way of life. Thus many Nigerians try as much as they can to give and receive things with the right hand as against the left. Even those who do not agree that using the left hand is a sign of bad manners and disrespect (especially to elders) still adhere to this long-standing tradition. Because after all tradition is ‘the people,’ and the bedrock of any society.