- Abd al-Hazir(src)
The Igani Bawe, otherwise known as the Harvest of Souls,[1] is a form of ritual warfare among the Umbaru tribes.[2] For the Umbaru, there is no greater honor than to take part in the Igani.[1]
Lore[]
- A mantra associated with the harvest(src)
The Igani Bawe is traditionally held in the interval between seasons. It always commences at sunrise, and ends at sundown. The purpose of the Igani is not to slay their fellow Umbaru on the battle itself (this is considered taboo), but rather incapacitate them and capture them to be sacrificed afterwards. When an Umbaru is captured, they embark on the Te Wok Nu'cha, the Final March. When they are sacrificed, their bodies are smeared in ritual oils before their blood and organs (the latter of which is placed in jars) are offered to the spirits of the Unformed Land. The Umbaru believe that by doing this, they not only nourish the realm for those who will enter it later, but also strengthen their own world (e.g. allowing healthy crops to grow and the seasons to pass). Most Umbaru are prohibited from entering the Ghost Trance during the Igani, as the high priests state it disorientes the souls of the recently sacrificed tributes.
In truth however, the Igani Bawe is unnecessary. Mbwiru Eikura exists regardless of whatever sacrifices the Umbaru make, but it is not utopia either. Two Witch Doctors discovered the truth, Nazeebo and Benu. While the former ended up following the Fallen Star to New Tristram, Benu, who became a spirit, sought to guide the Umbaru away from the needless warfare that they undertook.[1]