Umbaru

The Umbaru are a group of reclusive human tribes who inhabit the Teganze region of Nahantu.

Lore

Few outsiders have had contact with the Umbaru, though exceptions exist.

Culture

The Umbaru are a hunter-gatherer society^[1] (though also practice at least some agriculture) and are ruled by high priests. The high priests may take wives, who are held in high esteem, and rarely leave their huts, even in ceremony.^[2] The tribes engage in ritualistic warfare in which prisoners willingly submit themselves as sacrifices to honor the spirits of the rainforest.^[3] Only those taken in battle are considered worthy of ritual sacrifice.^[4] After such sacrifice, the victim's body is eviscarated, and its organs removed and placed in jars.^[2] The Umbaru's overriding belief is that the mortal realm is merely a curtain that veils a true reality called the Mbwiru Eikura, a realm commonly referred to as the "Unformed Land." The Umbaru Witch Doctors are able to see and experience this realm.^[3] In truth, the Unformed Land is open to all, and the tribal sacrifices are unnecessary. It is a truth that at least two Witch Doctors preach/have preached.^[2]

Umbaru culture is very different to those that lie westward. They believe in concepts such as honor and heroism, but what may constitute these traits does not necessarily align with the beliefs of other cultures. Aside from the Unformed Land, the most sacred belief of Umbaru culture is their philosophy of self-sacrifice and non-individuality, of suppressing one's self-interest for the good of the tribe.^[4]

Cannibalism in Umbaru culture is regarded as an "unthinkable" action, and those who partake in such an act (according to their beliefs) are denied entrance to the Unformed Land.^[2]

Umbaru utilize poison darts. This poison is derived from palms located at Lake Ymirson, located on the edge of the Torajan Jungles.^[5]

For Umbaru that were driven from their homeland by the Bloodied Wolf, a yearning for their lost homeland was core to their wounded sense of being.^[6]

Cultural Concepts

• Chant of Ordeal
• Ghost Trance
• Igani Bawe
• Ritual of Blood
• Te Wok Nu'cha

Language

The Umbaru possess a separate language from the other peoples of Sanctuary.^[7] The following is a list of terms/phrases/ from their language:

• "Chena" (fever)^[2]
• "Igani Bawe" (Harvest of Souls)^[2]
• "Kareeb" (cannibal)^[2]
• "Khazra" (demon/devil)^[1]
• "Owaze" (flight)^[2]
• "Te Wok Nu'cha" (The Final March)^[2]

History

The Torajan Jungles have cultivated many ancient civilizations, but the Umbaru are the exception in that they haven't been lost to the annals of time.^[3]

The Mage Clan Wars

The Umbaru were well established in the jungles by the time of the Mage Clan Wars. At some point, five clans migrated to higher elevations and began developing along different lines than the clansmen they left behind. They lived in relative peace and began the transition from a hunter-gatherer society to a farming one. However, through contact with the Vizjerei and the demon Zagraal, these five clans would become the khazra. They became furious marauders, driven to raid villages and caravans to sate their bloodlust and procure sacrificial victims for their demonic master. After years of this terror, the Umbaru of the lower Tengaze sent their Witch Doctor warriors to eradicate the khazra's threat to the region. Filled with otherworldly power, the Witch Doctors cut a swath of destruction through the khazra until they confronted Zagraal himself. In a now-legendary battle, the valiant heroes fought to the last man before finally bringing Zagraal down. The khazra as a race survived, but without a master, became weak and purposeless.^[1]

The Bloodied Wolf

At some point after the Mage Clan Wars, Teganze was blighted by the Bloodied Wolf. The creature left disease and corruption in its wake, turning Teganze into desert, and spreading Hollows along its path. Umbaru refugees were scattered across Sanctuary.^[6] Generations after the Wolf's coming, it was defeated by Akarat.^[8]

Doubtwalker

In the 13th century, the Umbaru were in a state of upheaval due to their most recent tribal war.^[4] In this period, a heretic Witch Doctor of the Five Hills Tribe claimed that the elder priests had succumbed to corruption. The heretic was banished,^[9] but his words remained. It was later discovered that the tribal warfare orchestrated by the elders was unnecessary, a game to allow them to remain in power. The Witch Doctor Benu, achieving spirithood, resolved to open his people's eyes to the truth.^[2]

Known Tribes/Clans

• Clan of the Seven Stones
• Oaxazi Tribe
• Tribe of the Clouded Valley
• Tribe of the Five Hills

In-game

The Witch Doctor class of Diablo III is of the Umbaru.

Known Umbaru

Witch Doctors

• Benu
• Edwasi
• Guwate'ka (elder priest)
• Jeram
• Mundunugu
• Nazeebo
• Tendaji
• Tukam
• Zunimassa
• Zuwadza

Other

• Akarat (through his mother's side)
• Enkasi
• Enobakhare
• Lakumba
• Mordullu
• Tassi
• Ungate

Trivia

• The Umbaru culture is inspired by aspects of different African traditional cultures.

References