Leopards

The Leopard Kaingo, is an important image in the initiation women’s teaching and represents many different things including powerful energies. Under the Leopard’s armpits are the moon and stars (women’s symbols). On either side is the ‘kaingo’ or leopard’s skin - stretched out after it has been killed. This is the same image that appears on the Kaingo rock site near Katete in Eastern Province. One of the stories around the leopard image is of the woman going to the river too late to draw water in the evening. A leopard attacks her and the husband comes and kills the leopard with his axe. The leopard and axe are recurring images on the rock paintings.

Leopard sketch. Ink on paper. 40x30cms. (2010)

The leopard is dead in the symbol. Its skin is stretched.  After the death (the  leopard/the social death of the initiation) the girl is saved. The girl lives on. Dancing on a high platform she is reborn, revived, rejuvenated. An official woman.  The name of the image that represents this is KANGA JOWE.

Leaping Leopard. Mopane heartwood and steel. 200 x 115 cm. (2012)