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Article: The mighty leopard.
- Article from:
- Calliope
- Article date:
- February 1, 2005
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 Carus Publishing Co. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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While the Oba is considered the king of the village, the leopard is considered the king of the forest. Fierce, swift, aggressive, and careful, leopards do not, so the Edo believe, kill humans without cause. Rather, they do so only at the command of a deity. Like the Oba, the leopard balances its instinct to capture with its ability to lead other animals. The leopard is revered as much for its beauty and distinctive markings as for its capacity to do harm.
According to Edo mythology, one night before Oba Ewuare, the great warrior king, was given his title, he fell asleep under a tree in the woods. He was awakened when drops of blood fell on him from a leopard ...