Page "Python regius" Paragraph 10

This species is particularly revered in the traditional religion of the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria.

It is considered symbolic of the earth, being an animal that travels so close to the ground.

Even among many Christian Igbos, these pythons are treated with great care whenever they happen to wander into a village or onto someone's property ; they are allowed to roam freely or are very gently picked up and placed out in a forest or field away from any homes.

If one is accidentally killed, many communities in Igboland will still build a coffin for the snake's remains and give it a short funeral.