The royal house of Benin is one of the most famous in Africa and the world at large. Yearly, tourists and visitors troop to the ancient city located in Edo State, Nigeria to see the palace which holds the rich history of ancient royalty.
Although not all are granted an audience with the Oba–Omo N’Oba N’Edo, but many people are allowed to tour specific areas of the palace. While paying a visit, it is important to check with your tour guide for regulations which govern movements around the palace.
According to Jovago.com, if you are set to visit Benin City in a bid to tour the Oba’s palace alone, there are 8 things visitors are encouraged not to do at the palace.
POINTING
Pointing fingers at either the Oba or his chiefs is not allowed at the Oba’s palace. The Oba himself does not point fingers at anyone as well, except in a bid to bless or curse the person.
Pointing is seen as an act with deep spiritual meaning and so, anyone who does this is promptly arrested by the security guards of the palace known as the Ifienwenro for questioning and possible punishment. The Ifienwenros are ‘spiritual’ guard whose major duty is to ward off spiritual attacks against the Oba. These guards are usually clad in brown wrapper skirts with armlets around them. After the arrest, the offender is usually compelled to take an oath before confessing or giving explanations for pointing fingers at the Oba. In dire cases, the offender might be asked to present certain animals for sacrifice.
WHISTLING
Whistling might seem like a simple and harmless act, but when you are in Benin City, especially, at the palace, this is considered rude. Based on superstition, the people of Benin believe whistling to be a medium through which mortals can communicate with spirits and the dead. The Oba’s palace houses over 3000 deities and mysticisms with spirits attached to them. It is believed that when a person whistles in the palace, such may attract the attention of the spirits and deities in the palace. And when this happens they assume that they (spirits) have been called to eat but if that was not the case, the consequence may be unpalatable for the whistler or anyone around the vicinity.
OPEN UMBRELLA DURING FESTIVALS
Umbrellas are fashioned to offer protection from harsh weather conditions such as rain or sun, however, if you are visiting Benin and you plan to attend a festival, be prepared to withstand any condition the weather throws at you without protection.
During major festivals such as the Igue festival, the Oba of Benin is the only one whose head can be covered with an umbrella. The palace chiefs are expected to leave their umbrellas at the palace gate during festivals. For tourists and visitors who have no prior knowledge of this rule, the security guards issue a warning at the entrance.
BLACK APPAREL
Black as a colour typifies mourning in many cultures. Seeing it is a taboo to the Oba. In most Nigerian customs, wearing black-signities mourning so for whoever, is putting on black no matter the circumstance, is not allowed to set eyes on the Oba. As a result, anyone wearing black attire is not allowed entrance into the palace, especially, if the person has the intention of having an audience with the Oba or there is a high chance of the person crossing paths with the Oba.
WOMEN IN
THE ALAKA AREA
The Alaka, is a section of the palace known to habour Oba Ehemgbuba shrine. According to Benin history, Oba Ehemugba, famously known as a powerful mystic, was born a haemophrodyte and since his father did not have any other heir to ascend the throne after him, he invited powerful witch doctors and mystics to work on the young Ehemugba. At the end of the healing session, the female parts of Oba Ehemugba were removed and he was left with only the male parts. To assuage the worries of the people and assure them that the next Oba was indeed a complete male, Oba Ehemugba was paraded naked around the entire community. The shrine in Alaka, is believed to harbour his spirit and so, any female who enters the area immediately becomes infertile. To avoid barrenness among the Benin girls and women, a ban was placed around the shrine. Women to date are not allowed into the area.
MALE VISITORS TO THE ROYAL HAREM
No male visitor of any kind is allowed near the royal harem. The royal harem includes the queen as well as other wives and concubines of the Oba. This regulation is so severe that the members of the harem, especially the queen, are not even allowed a touch their father or brother. The only males allowed to approach the harem are designated male offspring from the royal family, males with blue blood.
BANGA (PALM OIL FRUITS) ON THE HEAD
Though, banga soup is a delicacy liked so much by Benin people however caring palm karnel around the palace is probibited. And any vehicle loaded with palm karnel is also not allowed on streets close to the palace. The palm kernel is usually red, the same colour as blood, and it is believed that the palm fruits at the Oba’s palace or around it means that the land will experience blood, and usually someone around would have to die. It is considered a bad sign. In a situation where someone, possibly a visitor, falls foul of this rule, an animal is essentially, sacrificed to the Ogun as soon as possible, to avert impending death or catastrophe.
DOGS
In the precolonial times, after human sacrifice was abolished, dogs were used in many communities as substitutes for human offerings or for special sacrifices. If you have visited the Oba’s palace, you would discover that dogs on their own, as though they have a premonition, do not venture into the palace or run around it while playing. Any day that strays into the palace dies.
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