The over 900 years old palace of the Oba of Benin
is located in the heart of Benin, the Edo State
capital. It is adjacent to the Airport Road. The
palace attracts thousands of visitors yearly even
though the visitors are restricted to certain areas.
The chiefs in the palace know the various societies
they belong to and their functions.
Only the Oba understands the language of the
palace societies.
Visitors are forbidden to do certain things in the
palace, such as taking sand from the palace. The
duties of some chiefs are to ensure that nobody
enters the palace to
take sand. Stories abound of what happened to
people who attempted to take sand from the
palace.
There are some places in the palace where women
are not allowed to urinate. A story is told of how an
expectant mother security officer almost died for
urinating indiscriminately. She was said to have
vomited until sacrifices were made to atone for her
“sin”.
Pointing of fingers
It is forbidden to point fingers at either the Oba or
his chiefs in the palace. It is said that the Oba does
not point fingers at anyone as well, except in a bid
to bless or
curse an individual.
Whistling
The Bini ethnic nationality believe that whistling is a
communication medium between mortals and
spirits as well as the dead. There are several deities
within the
Oba’s palace and the belief is that no one is sure of
which deity is roused during whistling.
Open umbrella during festivals
Only the Oba is allowed to be covered with an
umbrella during festivities or when he is going out.
All guests, chiefs and visitors are to bear any harsh
weather.
Wearing black clothes
Anybody wearing black is not allowed to enter the
Oba’s palace. Such a person is sent away because
such attires indicate mourning in many cultures.
Palace sources say it is a taboo for the Oba to
mourn, no matter the circumstance. He is not
allowed to see black clothes.
Women not allowed at Ehengbuda Shrine
Women are not allowed to go near the Ehengbuda
Shrine. Historians say Oba Ehemugba was born a
haemophrodyte and that after powerful witch
doctors
worked on him, the female parts were removed. He
was later paraded naked around the community.
Any female
– girl or woman – who enters the area immediately
becomes infertile. To avoid barrenness among
Benin girls and women, a ban is placed on females
from,entering the shrine’s vicinity.
Male visitors not allowed into royal harem
Male visitors are not allowed to enter the royal
harem where the Oba’s wives stay. Male relatives
of the Oba’s wives are also disallowed from
entering or extending
hands for greetings.
Carrying Banga (palm oil fruits) around the palace
It is a taboo to carry palm oil fruits on the head in
or around the palace. Even vehicles carrying palm
oil fruits are not allowed to pass through the streets
near the Oba’s palace. The presence of palm oil
fruits around the palace is said to be an indication
that the land wants blood.
Dogs not allowed within the palace
Any dog that strays with the palace vicinity is killed
or dies naturally.
I hope these will guide you appropriately whenever
you find yourself at the palace of the revered Oba of
Benin.

Source: www.versatilereporters.com/2016/10/things-you-mustn-do-at-oba-of-benin.html?m=1

Wow...Rules. I like them very rich in tradition. They dont compromise