What is the reason for the inclusion of mudfish and leopards in the plaque showing the Oba holding leopards?

• A. They demonstrate the king's kinship with the gods of water and his rule over nature
• B. They depict the king's interest in hunting
• C. They are decorative motifs with no symbolic meaning
• D. They indicate the king's military prowess

Answer: (A)

In Benin royal imagery, animals carry symbolic power that links the ruler to the spiritual and natural worlds. Leopards are a classic emblem of royal authority, strength, and protective power—signaling the Oba’s legitimate rule and ability to safeguard his realm. Mudfish represent the world of waterways and the gods who govern them, showing a special kinship with the powers of water and the life-giving resources it provides.

Putting these motifs together communicates that the Oba’s authority is not only political but also divinely sanctioned and expansive over nature itself—ruling both land and water. It’s about sacred kingship and mastery of the natural world, rather than hunting, mere decoration, or military prowess.