The Oba’s palace in Benin is one of the most popular attractions in Africa.
The Benin palace (eguae) shares many contemporary elements with royal accommodations worldwide: air conditioning, electricity, electronics, and a glamorous new facade–an innovation of the current monarch, Oba Ewuare II.
Altars to the monarchs of the past, buried in the living quarters they once occupied, nonetheless remain the spiritual heart of this royal compound. Still, externals have always been important, for they reinforce the monarch’s ultimate social status.
Many of Benin’s architectural innovations began with the palace, whether they were Oba Esigie’s 16th-century introduction of a shingled roof, Oba Ovoranmwen’s late 19th-century novel use of corrugated metal sheeting for the same purpose, or his mirrored bedroom ceiling. Sumptuary laws still affect Benin architecture.
Only the monarch and those chiefs to whom he grants the privilege may score their walls with the horizontal grooving (eken agben) that marks rank, a feature incorporated into current cement buildings, as well as older earthen construction techniques. When the latter were the norm, the palace had walls that were built from five to nine courses or layers high; most other citizens were limited to four, although a few privileged chiefs were permitted to have five.
The earthen walls were thick—usually two to three feet at the base, thinning as they rose. That produced an insulating effect that, combined with shaded passages and the lack of exterior windows, helped to keep the interiors cooler.
What you should not do while visiting the Benin palace
The Royal Palace of the Oba of Benin is a sacred site therefore you should not do any of these while visiting the Obas palace.
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 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.
It is seen as a sacred site so it has its dos and don’ts — including no wearing of black, no whistling, no pointing at the Oba or his chiefs, etc.
1. Whistling
Whistling is seen as a way for mortals to wake up the dead, so in the Oba’s palace where there are a lot of deities, whistling is seen as a rude act in Benin City, especially at the Palace.
2. Pointing
Pointing is seen as sacred, an act with deep spiritual for blessing and cursing so pointing fingers at either Oba or his chiefs are not allowed at the Oba’s palace. It is a punishable offence.
3. Using umbrellas
The top things to see and do in Benin City- Igue festival
During festivals, only the Oba of Benin is allowed to use an umbrella, no matter the weather.
4. Wearing black
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.
5. Carrying palm fruits
The colour red is not allowed near the Oba’s palace at all. Hence, palm kernel in its fruit form, which is as red as blood is considered a bad omen when seen around or in the Oba’s palace.
6. Dogs
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.
7. Male visitors
The only males allowed to enter the harem, where the queen and other Oba’s women dwell, are males with royal blood, i.e. male offsprings from the royal family. Hence, male visitors are forbidden.
