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Article: The magicality of the hyena: beliefs and practices in West and South Asia.
- Article from:
- Asian Folklore Studies
- Article date:
- June 1, 1999
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1999 Asian Folklore Studies. 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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Among carnivorous mammals, hyenas belong to a family (Hyaenidae) comprising four species: the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), the striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena), the brown hyena (Hyaena brunnea), and the aardwolf (Proteles cristatus) (MILLS and HOFER n.d.). Whereas the distribution of the spotted hyena, the brown hyena, and the aardwolf is confined to Africa south of the Sahara, the striped hyena (comprising five subspecies) is found in northern and eastern Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, as well as in western and southern Asia. This middle-sized predator has a big, sturdy head, pointed ears, and front legs longer than its hind legs. It has long hair and a mane that can be ...