The Contest of Flame

The Ukindans are a people of deep traditions and a reverence for their elders. One of the few permanent settlements is Anazukali, and within Anazukali lies the Arena, a great coliseum in the center of the region. The Arena was the largest, most structurally sound remnant of the ancient civilization that left the ruins behind, and the settlement of Anazukali rose up around it.

Ada Atuku
The Ukindan tribes have held contests of physical strength for generations, but the discovery of the Arena granted these contests new levity. A new, more formal contest was created to be held specifically at the grand Arena of Anazukali. Once a decade, all Ukindans who wish would congregate at the Arena to witness the Contest of Flame. In the contest, each tribe enlists five champions to fight in the arena against all other champions, and each other. The winner of this four-week contest is named Ada Atuku, which means “The Champion,” though many Ukindans also refer to The Champion as Ukinda. This champion embodies all of the might and power and cunning of their entire culture, and so he is titled in a way that represents such a stature.

Makajoro
Yet the position doesn’t end with authority and a title. Being named Ada Atuku means that this person is considered strong enough to embark on Makajoro, a solitary pilgrimage that tests the spirit and resolve of the Champion beyond anything else. The Makajoro was a privilege held only by the strongest of Ukindans, and the Contest of Flame provided a new way to determine who was worthy of the great journey.

The named Ada Atuku would embark on the Makajoro one week after the culmination of the Contest of Flame. On Makajoro, the Ada Atuku travels from the Ukindan Arena to the southeast, through the nation of Kotokai and the jungles of Pukisho and deep into the throes of the Shadewood. There, at the ancient temple the Ukindan refer to as Zabimi Moko, Ada Atuku completes a series of ancient trials meant to test the strength of his spirit in the way the Contest of Flame tested his cunning and physical prowess. The trials are extremely sacred, and none other than the Ada Atuku can ever witness them, and none can ever speak of their nature. If the Ada Atuku emerges from Zabimi Moko, he has been blessed with the strength of Zabimi, the Euoplocephalus that the Ukindans believe carries the world on its back.

Returning Home
When the Ada Atuku returns to Ukinda, he is received with great praise and with ceremonies that often last many days. Afterwards, he is given a place of power and authority among his tribe, sitting with the elders and the chiefs, having a say in tribal decisions. Ada Atukus often go on to become great tactical leaders in combat, and will retain their position of prestige and authority until the day they die.