In Congo in the province of Kasai-Occidental there’s an ethnic group called the Tetela (Batetela).  When a boy became a young man he would go through an initiation and he would wear leopard skin and would become a warrior. They called those young men “Guerrier Léopard” meaning leopard Warrior. See this particular ethnic group wasn’t quite like the others; they gave hard time to the Belgian colonizers to colonize them. When they would hear of Colonizers coming they would clear out the whole village, the Belgians would come and they would spend the night. While they’re sleeping the “Guerrier Léopard” would come out with bow and arrows and kill the colonizers. These young men were essentially the protectors of their heritage, their home.

  Patrice Lumumba the first prime minister of Congo, father of the Congolese independence, a hero not only in Congo but also all over Africa was mutetela (from Tetela ethnic group).  When he became the voice of the Congolese unity,  voice of the independence from the colonizers, he was crowned protector of the mutetela’s. He was given leopard skin hat, symbolizing the “Guerrier Léopard”.

  That’s where he decided that the leopard will be the symbol of the Congolese independence from the Belgians,not only does it represent their strength but also their perseverance to remain free as people. It’s also a wake up call to the Congolese youth of today, a wake up call to become young “Guerrier Leopard” and like their fore fathers to stand up and take charge, to protect their home, to protect Congo.