According to local lore in Benin, there was once a peculiar regulation from the colonial era that discouraged villagers from openly parading chickens through main village streets during certain feast days. The story goes that the practice was believed to ward off evil spirits, but authorities purportedly viewed these poultry processions as a cause for unnecessary public disorder and distraction from official events. While concrete evidence of this rule's legal standing is scarce, the tale persists in oral histories as an example of how animal-related customs and colonial bureaucratic measures could intersect in unexpected ways. This alleged restriction highlights the ways in which cultural beliefs about animals influenced social norms, sometimes resulting in official regulations that seem odd by today’s standards. The precise origins and enforcement of this rule remain unclear, so it is best regarded as a colorful piece of Benin’s historical tapestry rather than a verified statute.
Source / verification note
Based on regional oral histories and colonial-era anecdotes documented in local cultural studies.