Egbesu

Among the Ijaw of the Niger Delta, Egbesu is also a spiritual force for combating evil. Its symbols are the leopard, the panther and the lion.

Traditionally the Egbesu force could be used only in defence or to correct an injustice, and only by those in harmony with the universe. Under an Egbesu king, the chief priest who alone could declare war, came high priests called Okparans and foot soldiers called Kulikuliwei. The force was believed to protect fighters from enemy bullets.