No walking backward on Ascension Island's Main Street after sunset

On Ascension Island, part of the territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, there has long been a local custom—sometimes reported as a quirky rule—that discouraged residents and visitors from walking backward along the main street after sunset. This practice is rooted in old island superstitions that believed walking backward in the dark invited bad luck or misfortune. Over time, the custom also took on a practical dimension, as the limited street lighting and narrow sidewalks made backward walking potentially hazardous. Although this 'rule' is not found in formal legal texts, local lore and oral histories confirm it was taken seriously enough that people would avoid such actions to maintain safety and community harmony. Whether strictly enforced or more of an unwritten guideline, this tradition offers a unique window into how local beliefs and practical needs shaped social behavior on this remote island. Modern reports of this custom tend to emphasize its historical and cultural significance, reminding visitors that island life often weaves together the practical and the symbolic in unexpected ways.