Band 4

We think the middle figure in this band is a 15th century ruler, Ewuare the Great, son of Ohen, the fish-legged oba. Ewuare holds mudfish, which may represent his ties to Olokun, ruler of the waters and god of beauty, wealth and fertility.

Before he became the Oba, Ewuare was exiled in the wilderness. Once he fell asleep beneath a tree. During the night, Ewuare felt something wet dripping down from the leaves. He awoke to find he was splattered with blood.

Ewuare looked up and saw that a leopard lounged on a limb above him, slowly devouring its prey. Looking down, he was horrified to realize he had slept on top of a giant serpent. He knew he was in the hands of the gods. Ewuare jumped up and killed the leopard and serpent. He took their presence as a sign from the gods. After he was crowned, Ewuare decreed that every oba must sacrifice a leopard.

Since then, leopards and serpents have been associated with the Oba's power.

This page is part of the "AFRICA: One Continent. Many Worlds." web site. All photographic images and text contained within these web pages ARE COPYRIGHTED and may not be commerically reproduced, or utilized in any manner, without the prior written consent the owner. Select this text for more information.

Map courtesy of Office of the Director of Central Intelligence.

jca