8 things you must not do inside Oba of Benin’s palace

Oba of Benin

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• Pointing – Pointing fingers at any of
  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 another
  individual.
• 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 medium through which mortals can call the spirits and the dead.TheOba 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 group of spirits that could be invited into the ambience to
  start manifesting.
• Opening
  Umbrella during Festivals—Umbrellas are festooned 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 because during major
  festivals such as the Igwe 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
  umbrella at the palace gate during festivals.
• Black
  Apparel—Black as a color typifies mourning in many cultures
  and in Benin culture, it is a taboo for the Oba to mourn, no matter the circumstances he is not allowed to set
  eyes on the color black. As a result anyone wearing 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.
• Dogs.
  In the pre-colonial times, after human sacrificed 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 will discover that dogs, on their own, as though they have a premonition do
  not venture into the palace or run around it while playing. And dog that stray
  within dies immediately.
• Male
  visitors to the Royal Harem—No male visitors of any kind is
  allowed near the royal harem.The royal harem includes 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 hand
  touch from their father or brother.
• Banga
  (Palm fruits) on the head—white Banga
  soup is notably consumed by the people in Benin City, carrying its source-the
  palm fruit on your head in or around the palace is strictly prohibited. Also any
  vehicle loaded with the palm fruit seed is also not allowed through the streets
  surrounding the Oba’s palace. The palm fruit is usually red in color, same color
  of blood, and it is believed that the palm fruit at the Oba’s palace or around
  it means that the land will take blood and someone around would have to die.
• Women
  at the Alaka Area.
  The Alaka
  is a section of the palace known to harbor Oba Ehenguda Shrine. 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 into the area.