Ekpe Leopard Headdress | |
---|---|
Origin |
The Leopard Society |
Type |
Headdress |
Effects |
Blind loyalty |
Downsides |
Cannibalistic tendencies and madness |
Activation |
Speaking while wearing |
Collected by |
Warehouse 13 |
Section |
|
Aisle |
Headwear - Reboux-923 |
Shelf |
341146-3150-475 |
Date of Collection |
1/1978 |
[Source] |
Origin[]
The Leopard Society, also known as Ekpe, was the oldest secret society in West Africa. It was an all male group, most likely originating as a warrior society. They assumed importance during the Atlantic slave trade and dominated by the Efik people by the late 1700s. The trade brought imports and wealth to the region. Seeking to augment this wealth the Efik sold memberships into their society to others enabling it to spread widely and quickly. Members would dress in leopard skins, waylaying travelers with claw weapons crafted from leopard's claws and teeth. After killing and looting the victims the members would practice cannibalism, feasting on the victim's flesh. The leader of the society was made known with a headdress crafted from the head of a leopard in mid snarl along with the rest of the traditional garb.
Effects[]
While speaking to a group while wearing the skin those listening become blindly loyal to the speaker. Prolonged use brings on cannibalistic tendencies and madness
Collection[]
Was removed from Jean-Bédel Bokassa's possession when he was removed to be bronzed.