Zambalo

Zambalo or The Struggle, is a, religion that originated in Rhodanthian around 1600 A.D. as a combination of native Rhodantine traditions and the Zusean Church. It is an faith, with a belief in the twin creator deities of Koyase, associated with the Sun, and Komnyama, associated with the deep oceans. Followers of Zambalo are known as Zabalazi, or "those who struggle". Worldwide there are approximately 22 million adherents.

Zambalo has a rich diversity in its practices, with creeds and doctrine varying by region. Generally speaking, Zabalazi believe in a divine presence in every aspect of creation, and uphold oral tradition as a form of worship and guide to everyday life. Professional storytellers, known as Umxoxi, recount the deeds and actions of mythical figures, as well as providing practical knowledge to their communities, anything from medicine and law to engineering.

Stretching back at least as far as the migrations of the 4th and 5th centuries CE, the oral tradition of several rhodantine ehnic groups was first compiled in 1783 by Minenhle Sipoyo, into what became known as The King's Record. Utilized as a propaganda tool and unifying cultural touchstone, the King's Record was vigorously preached by Nkosana Oluwaseyi and his followers, with widespread success. The most significant pushback occurred in regions opposed to the new king, particularly to the Record's syncretism with the Vordic Church and the doctrine of Oluwaseyi's divinity. Nonetheless, the King's Record is the most universally recognized Zambalo religious text, with 82% of adherents citing its use in their religious practices.

The Struggle
The Struggle is the most important aspect of Zambalo, and is held as a framework to understand the actions of others, and how to live a better life. Broadly speaking, Zabalazi are expected to reflect on themselves and their motivations, whether they are driven more by selfishness of selflessness. Upon this reflection, the individual is encouraged to seek out the wisdom and experiences of others to improve themselves and move closer to the ideal life, one of compassion, and lifting up of others to the same understanding.

Furthermore, it is believed that this concept of a struggle between good and evil exists in all living things, contributing to a cosmic balance. A number of Zambalo focus on the consequences of this balance, with the most popular being that of the Ethule, where an overwhelming weight of human wickedness causes Komnyama to devour the souls of all things, leaving the world a dried out husk, devoid of color and life.

The Spirits
Zambalazi believe that when the gods created all life, they put a part of themselves into the world, and these fragments took on a life of their own. These fragments are known as the spirits, and are believed to hold the qualities of the thing they represent. The spirits are also thought to be anthropomorphic, favoring certain individuals and families.

The practice of patron spirits is less popular in modern Zambalo, with most worshipers aligning themselves with Inkoyase directly, or eschewing spiritualism in favor of practicing Zambalo as an ethical code or philosophy.

The King's Record
The King's Record is a broad term for a collection of stories and mythologies compiled during the reign of Nkosana Oluwaseyi, the first Monarch of Rhodanthian. During his reign, King Nkosana came to rely on the Priesthood for support, and in turn established a general canon for Zambalo. Holding stories taken from Umxoxi across Rhodanthian, the King's Record is the bedrock of the mainstream religion, establishing Inkoyase and Inkomnyama as the primary forces of creation, creating a hierarchy of the Sprits, and cementing Nkosana's place as a semi-divine figure.

According to the King's Record, his mother was given a sign of his coming greatness when she first became pregnant, and from then on, the young king proved himself as a warrior, diplomat, and scholar from the moment he could speak. As King Nkosana conquered or unified the disparate tribes of Rhodanthian, his loyal umxoxi spread the King's story in every territory, with every victory adding to his legend. By the time he defeated the Ibhubesi to his south, the King's Record was accepted among the majority of Umzambalzi, which many historians consider vital to the stability of his reign.

In modern times the Royal Family is not held in the same regard as it once was, and the King's Record is considered out of date, with more, or less, modern versions of the canon, told depending on the umxoxi in question. The divinity of King Nkosana in particular has been called into question in the more urbanized Homelands, where he is sung of as a great man, but nothing beyond that.