The Royal Palace of the Oba of Benin is the most prestigious sites in Benin and one of the top things to see when in Benin City, Edo state. It is one of the most famous Royal Houses in the whole of Africa. It is The palace, built by Oba Ewedo (1255AD – 1280AD), is situated at the heart of the ancient City of Benin. It was rebuilt by Oba Eweka II (1914 – 1932) after the 1897 war during which it was destroyed by the British. The palace was declared a UNESCO Listed Heritage Site in 1999.
The Oba Of Benin’s Palace is a beautiful place to visit and tour if by any means find yourself in the Ancient city of Benin and have some free time on your hands to spare… It’s a place filled with Art and cultural history and artifacts, One of the most popular artifacts of the Bini Culture known across the world is the famous “Ida Mask”, well this Mask can’t be found at the Oba Palace anymore since after the British desecrated and destroyed the Oba’s Palace back in the 1897 wars Of the British Empire against the Benin Kingdom. As travellers guide, this are 8 “Don’ts” you can’t do when you do visit the Oba’s Palace and must avoid;
- Pointing: When you do visit the Oba’s Palace and you go visiting as a tourist there’s actually 80% you might not get to see the Oba himself. But, you must know that once you’re in within the premises of the Palace you can’t point your fingers either at the Palace Chiefs nor The Oba himself. Also, the Oba himself too can’t point his fingers at anyone, except in a bid to bless a person or curse the person. Whoever who does this is promptly arrested by the Ifienwenro, the Ifienwenro is are security and also ‘spiritual’ guards.
- 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.
- Opening And Usage Of Umbrella:Â An Umbrella is a simple household gadget used to protect ones self against harsh weather conditions like a heavy downpour of rain or the very high and intense heat of the Sun, but when visiting the Oba’s palace even his Chiefs are not allowed into the premises of the Palace with an Umbrella. Most especially if its a time for a particular Festival where the Oba must make a public Appearance and you intend to be present at the festival you must know that only the Oba is allowed to use an Umbrella and u must stand in whatever the weather condition that happens there without you being able to use an Umbrella.
- Wearing Of A Black Clothing:
Anyone wearing a black attire is not allowed entrance into the palace because black is seen as a symbol for mourning. It is a taboo for the oba to set his eyes on the colour black. More 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.
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Women Not Allowed 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 hermaphrodite 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 placed around the shrine. Women till date are refused entrance to the area.
- No Male Visitors At The Harem: No male visitors are allowed into the Harem, the harem includes The Queen, the Wives of the Oba and his concubines. 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 royal blood.
- Carrying Oil Palm On Your Head: Carrying 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:Â Dogs do not enter the Oba’s palace if not they will die. This is because, after human sacrifice was abolished in Bini Kingdom, dogs replaced humans as offerings to the gods.
Photo Credit:Getty
