Nigeria

Oba of Benin: 7 things visitors must avoid at the palace

Monday, November 30, 2020 at 5:25 PM by Khadijah Thabit

- The palace of the oba of Benin has its rules that must be obeyed by both indigenes and residents of Edo state

- The throne is one of the most respected in Nigeria and the people of Benin do not joke with their tradition

- Most of the rules are learnt in the course of growing up or handed down by elders

When it comes to culture and tradition in Nigeria, the Benin people and their institutions remain one of the best as the indigenes grow up knowing every 'commandment' whether written or handed down by elders.

The Benin monarch, being the chief custodian of the traditions, is also well-revered with most of his utterances are seen and taken as law.

This is why an occupier of the throne is also referred to as a god-king

Here are seven forbidden rules in the palace:

1. Umbrellas

Whether it is raining or not, it is forbidden to put up an umbrella, especially during the periods the oba is busy with festive activities. It is considered a mark of disrespect to do so.

2. Dogs

To many across the world, dogs are taken as pets, but this is not so in the palace. Dogs are not allowed here. There is believed that any dog found inside the palace either dies naturally or is killed.

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3. Palm fruits

Palm fruits, better called bangs, should never be found in the palace. It is forbidden. You cannot even hide any inside your car once you are within the palace.

4. Pointing of fingers

One of the most forbidden acts inside the palace is pointing of fingers. This is even worse if such a person points to the oba or his chiefs.

It is also known that the oba rarely points his fingers. He does this only on two occasions - to bless or to cause.

5. Black-coloured clothes

These are forbidden within the palace. No individual should wear black clothing around the place.

In Benin, like in many other places, black clothes are considered to be signs of mourning. The monarch never mourns. Thus one would be turned back from the entrance to the palace if one floats this rule.

6. Whistling

Do you want to visit the palace of the oba of Benin? Then you must avoid whistling because it is highly forbidden. Whistling is considered communication with some external forces.

7. The women's quarters

For no reason is a male visitor welcomed into the royal women's quarters of the palace. The quarter is the area where the monarch's wives stay and they are forbidden from receiving certain types of people.

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The only category of persons that can gain permission into the area are those with royal blood. Nobody also shakes hands with the wives of the king.

Legit.ng earlier reported that the current traditional ruler of Benin, Oba Ewuare 11, was, not too long ago, seen dancing to a piece of modern-day music to the admiration of those who were around him.