Strategies for understanding lightning myths and beliefs

In South Africa, lightning kills people every year. People who work outdoors are particularly vulnerable to lightning strikes. Strategies need to be developed to reduce the number of people killed or injured by lightning. Many people, however, have firm views and beliefs about lightning and any strategy to improve their safety with respect to lightning, will have to take cognisance of these beliefs. This paper looks at the strategies that engineers can follow to familiarise themselves with the lightning beliefs in rural areas in Southern Africa.