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 audience with the Oba - Omo N’Oba N’Edo, quite a
number of 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.
However, if you are set to visit Benin City in a bid to tour the Oba’s Palace alone, Jovago.com,
Africa’s No. 1 online hotel booking portal has put together a list of 8
things visitors are encouraged not to do at the Oba’s palace.
Pointing
Pointing
fingers at either Oba or his chiefs are 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 another individual.
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 Ifienwenro
is a ‘spiritual’ guard whose major duty is to wade off spiritual attack
against the Oba. These guards are usually clad in brown wrapper skirts
with armlets around them. After 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 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 call to spirits and the dead. The Oba palace
houses over 3000 deities and mysticisms with spirits attached to them.
It is believed that when a person whistles in the palace, there is no
control over which spirit or deity would be roused by the call, and in a
situation where the roused spirit does not see any food, offering or
appeasement, it might take the life of 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 stand through 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 known as the Ifiento issue a warning at the entrance.
Black apparel:
Black
as a colour typifies mourning in many cultures. Seeing as it is a taboo
for the Oba to mourn, no matter the circumstance, he is not allowed to
set eyes on the colour black. As a result, anyone wearing a black attire
is not allowed entrance into the palace, especially if the person has
the intention of gaining an audience with the Oba or there is a high
chance of the person crossing paths with the Oba.
Women at the Alaka area
The
Alaka is a section of the palace known to habour Oba Ehemgbuba shrine.
According to Benin history, Oba Ehemugba, famously know 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 young Ehemugba. At the end of the healing
session, the female parts of Oba Ehemugba was removed from him and he
was left with only the male parts. To assuage the worries of the people
and assure them that the next Oba would indeed be completely male, Oba
Ehemugba was paraded naked around the entire community. The shrine in
Alaka is believed to contain his spirit and so, any female who enters
the area immediately become infertile. To avoid barrenness among the
Benin girls and women, a ban was places around the shrine. Women till
date are refused entrance to the area.
Male visitors to the royal harem
No
male visitor of any kind is allowed near the royal harem. The royal
harem include the queen as well as other wives and concubines belonging
to the Oba. This regulation is so severe that the members of the harem,
especially the queen, are not even allowed a touch from 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
While
Banga soup is notably consumed by people in Benin City, carrying its
source- the palm oil fruit- on your head in or around the palace is
strictly prohibited. Also, a vehicle loaded with the palm oil fruit is
also not allowed through the streets surrounding the Oba’s palace. The
palm kernel is usually red in colour, 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 take blood, and usually someone around would have to
die. It is considered a bad sign and an omen. In a situation where
someone, possibly a visitor, fails to adhere to this rule, an animal is
essentially sacrificed to the Ogun Oba 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 to human offerings or just 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 canine
that strays within dies.
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