Why Do Benin Royals Cover Their Mouths?

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ItuGlobal
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Location: ituglobalfx.com.ng
 

August 22nd, 2016, 10:45 pm

I recently watched a traditional Benin movie. During a coronation ceremony of a new king, I saw that all the royal queens and princesses cover their mouths with their hands. They came into the palace doing this and later left.

In another recent Benin movie, involving the royalty, I saw the monarch covering his mouth with a handkie in a public event. I believe the movies depict an important Benin royal tradition.

This kind of custom baffles me and most Edo people I asked couldn’t answer the question.

Why do Benin royals cover their mouths in this way? Is there any reason for this?

What is the origin of this, and its significance?

I’m desperate for a helpful answer please.


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J0E
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Location: Texas
 

August 23rd, 2016, 6:05 am

I think we saw same movie. Was it not on Sunday? I wondered why too. Hope someone can answer.
Humility is the first true attribute of a great man...
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ItuGlobal
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Location: ituglobalfx.com.ng
 

August 24th, 2016, 9:03 am

I have been watching this thread with interest and I’m surprised that no-one has been able to answer this intriguing question since it’s been asked. This forum is big and full of intelligent and knowledgeable people. I’d be glad to know the answer myself, since I don’t know it.

We tend to think African traditions and cultures are sometimes idiotic in the eyes of the whole world because we don’t know the reasons behind them.

Why do Benin royals have to cover their mouths in public or during important occasions? I would be disappointed if this forum can’t provide a correct answer.

This is something I like more than nude pictures and unhelpful topics that fill the Internet today.

Perhaps the mods can push this to the front page for those who’re rich in knowledge to probably see. Can anyone help us with an answer?

With humble regards to you all!
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eMade
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August 24th, 2016, 7:17 pm

ItuGlobal wrote:Perhaps the mods can push this to the front page for those who’re rich in knowledge to probably see. Can anyone help us with an answer?
Done. Hope someone can provide insight.
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Gidigbo
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August 25th, 2016, 5:55 am

Wallahi tallahi I no know am. Ask the gods
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eMade
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Location: Abuja
 

August 26th, 2016, 6:22 am

The Benin Kingdom: Rituals of Kingship and Their Social Meanings p69

...passage that invested him as Crown Prince.
By custom, anyone wishing to "enter the palace~ first initiates into one of the
three palace societies charged with the state regalia. the harem and the king's person.
Regarded as "a bride of the king," Prince Akenzua wore white garments, a
sign of purity. In public he covered his mouth with a white cloth to show that he
would never speak against the king
, just as the dutiful wife never speaks ill of her
husband. Like a bride at her wedding, he feigned shyness and walked haltingly.
Rites of passage such as this draw heavily upon images of liminality that enhance
the sense of being on the threshold.
Seems relevant...

La source: http://repository.kulib.kyoto-u.ac.jp/d ... _14_65.pdf
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NiceGuy
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Location: Lagos
 

August 26th, 2016, 6:26 am

I know this:
Benin Culture
It is no one else but the Oba of Benin who is a god in his own right that nobody fools around with. Whatever he says is final. He usually covers his mouth because when he talks he is the supreme authority. People talk on his behalf most of the time and whatever they proclaim "ex cathedra" like the Pope becomes the Law with immediate effect.
I'm really not that nice... :mrgreen:
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ItuGlobal
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August 26th, 2016, 7:03 am

Many thanks for this insightful reply.
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Lalalalalalala

October 21st, 2016, 9:00 am

The Oba of Benin is a god in his own right that nobody fools around with. Whatever he says is final. He usually covers his mouth because when he talks he is the supreme authority. People talk on his behalf most of the time and whatever they proclaim like the Pope becomes the Law with immediate effect.
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TitanKenneth
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May 10th, 2021, 2:02 am

Sweet
Follow me on facebook "Titan Kenneth".
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yaroummu
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Location: Kaduna
 

July 2nd, 2021, 9:53 pm

Sounds interesting.
Cool me
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Coded20
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July 5th, 2021, 4:25 am

Interesting update
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Gloria50
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July 9th, 2021, 10:24 pm

Don't really know
Telephone
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Coded20
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July 9th, 2021, 11:48 pm

Good update
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Bash888
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Location: Kontagora
 

July 24th, 2021, 9:45 pm

Thanks for the update
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