(TT) – The Igbo traditional isi Ágū Attire is generally made for men. Originally, the isi Ágū Attire (or Ishi agu) is usually patterned with the heads of leopard adorned all over the clothing mostly on a black background.
Isi Ágū Attire
Over the years, the original representation of the isi Ágū Attire has changed. Every attire ornamented in a particular way has its meaning and delineations and the isi Ágū Attire is one of those ornamented fineries.
Misrepresentation
The misrepresentation of the image on the attire can be categorised into three types of misrepresentations—innocent misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation, and fraudulent misrepresentation
The Innocent misrepresentation is neither fraudulent nor negligent but a misconception about what Ágū is, this kind of misrepresentation can be easily corrected by knowing the difference between Ágū and Òdùm.
The negligent misrepresentation is the fact that one did not attempt to substantiate the isi Ágū Attire, he/she knows what Ágū is but did not care to verify the image portrayed as Ágū on the attire. “Attention to Details” will correct this type of misrepresentation.
The fraudulent misrepresentation is a false delineation made knowingly or recklessly as to its truth, It is a kind of propaganda made in order to disseminate false knowledge about the attire. This kind of misrepresentation might not be corrected because such people are paid agents bent on ruining people’s history and culture.
The Original image on the isi Ágū Attire is the head of a leopard which is the strongest animal of African origin, known and seen very well in Igbo land. Some people fail to identity Ágū (Leopard) from Òdùm (Lion) or they interchange the names unknowingly. Have you heard the saying “Òdùm na-egbu Ágū” (Lion kills Leopard)?, a very simple sentence that helps identify that Òdùm is Lion and Leopard is Ágū, Of course Lion overpowers a leopard one-on-one.
Ágū Vs Òdùm
Ágū connotations to the Igbos
Ágū (Leopard) is considered to be a very brave animal in Igbo culture and history. People especially brave men are given the title “Ogbu ka Ágū” meaning “One that kills like Leopard”. The title is not given to anyone that didn’t achieve great things, most times the title is given to great warriors. If you have ever killed a leopard, you will be given the title “Ogbu Ágū” meaning “Leopard killer”
There are various qualities of the Leopard that made it outstanding among other animals
- Leopards are solitary animals. Unlike lions which are social animals, Leopards are solitary cats living a sole individual lifestyle unlike lions which are social animals.
- Leopards are the smallest of the large cat family.
- Leopards are Best at Going the Distance
- Leopards are not picky eaters. Leopards have been noticed to be able to eat everything in their carnivorous diet in other words they are not picky eaters as other cats in the cat family, leopards diet consists of reptiles like snakes, fish and medium sized animals such as warthogs, zebras, antelopes, wildebeests, rats, and many more. Leopards are capable of surviving without water because they get most of the waters from their prey which they need to survive
- Leopards are ambush predators.
- Leopards are adaptive cats
Leopards are survivors. But the leopard is adaptable, able to acclimate and modify its habits to thrive in its current environment. A recessive gene can result in melanistic (black) leopards, as similar genes produce red hair in humans. These differences enable leopards to live successfully in a range of environments.
How smart is a leopard?
Leopards are the ultimate cats. They are the most feline, the most intelligent, the most dangerous and, until recently, one of the least understood. They hunt from South Africa to Siberia, from Arabia to Sri Lanka, and are the most widespread predator of their size on land.
Leopards are astoundingly strong. They are pound for pound the strongest of the big cats. They are able to climb trees, even when carrying heavy prey, and often choose to rest on tree branches during the day.
Connotations to the Igbos
The Igbos seem to possess these qualities of a leopard in their adaptability anywhere in the world. Though these qualities make leopard strong (individual strength), solitary animals perish in the presence of social animals, a single leopard cannot overpower group of lions or wild dogs.
Igbos find themselves in such situation anywhere they find themselves. Most of the time, they sail through in such situation due to the kind of qualities they possess. Knowing that there are limitations of an individual strength, Igbos have found a way to conquer such limitations with their popular “Igwe bu ike” phrase meaning “The crowd is strength“.
This “Igwe bu ike” philosophical concept emphasizes that collective effort, collaboration and unity are essential for achieving goals and creating a strong indomitable community.
