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This is The Reason Why Oba Of Benin Always Covers His Mouth

Published

3 years ago

November 2, 2020

It’s almost four years now since Oba Ewuare ll N’Ogidigan was crowned as the 40th Oba of Benin Kingdom after succeeding his father, the late Oba of Benin ‘Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolopkolo, Oba Erediauwa’ who has gone to meet his ancestors.

However some photos of Oba Ewuare II which went viral some time ago, has made a lot of people to ask why the Oba always cover his mouth. It has been revealed that he covered his mouth according to the customs and tradition, but people have been asking for the real reason behind it.

The Oba is not the only one who covers his mouth, as you can see in the photos below his wives are also covering their mouth.

This led me to some investigations and I discovered the following:

The Oba covers his mouth because he is a leader and the supreme authority of the Benin Kingdom, and whatever he says or whatever he decides on is final.

Also when he tells people to speak on his behalf, whatever they say is final and becomes law with immediate effect.

A friend of mine who is from Benin and also a painter told me sometime ago that he drew a painting of the previous Oba, and in the photo the Oba was smiling but the painting was rejected, because according to customs and tradition people are not supposed to see the teeth of the Oba. That’s why the oba don’t smile or open his teeth in public.

His wives also covered their mouths as a symbol of submission.

What is your opinion about this? Do you think there is another reason why the Oba covers his mouth? Please share your thoughts through the comment section.