The Altar

The large circular temple located at the center of the City of Song was known as the altar and was essentially just that. Built on the great plain of Bo Kaabo, at what was considered to be the center of the Bane'ile home world, the altar symbolized the interconnectedness of all the Bane'ile people, whether they be living, dead, or yet unborn. It was the beating heart of their spiritual life as well as a shrine to all of the ancestors of every tribe.  

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Design

  The altar was a spacious circular building whose walls and roof were all made of a uniquely crafted material that seemed invisible to the eye creating the impression that there were no walls or roof at all. This material allowed light and air to pass through while shielding the interior from heat and rain. The interior layout was in the form of a spiral containing a series of areas, each dedicated to the history and ancestors of one of the Bane'ile tribes, that flowed seamlessly from one to the next culminating in a circular room that contained a round reflecting pool fed by a natural underground spring and a cauldron of fire known as the eternal flame.  

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Sensory & Appearances

  Because of the unique properties of the material that the walls and roof of the altar were made of, you could look up at the sky and out at the surrounding landscape from anywhere inside of the building as though you were still standing outside. However, it did feel noticeably cooler inside and there was always the lingering scent of atali, the anointing oil made from ye'dide flowers that was commonly used in Bane'ile spiritual practices. The wearing of shoes was not permitted inside and there was no flooring, so you could experience the feel of the ground under your bare feet. There was always music and singing, and at night when the rains came, the sound of the water hitting the roof would mingle with the songs to create a truly transcendent experience. The outer areas of the altar were adorned with candles and symbols of the history and travels of the tribes as well as mementos and offerings honoring the ancestors. The central room seemed to pulse with the very heartbeat of the planet and dance with the flickering motion of the eternal flame.  

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Use

  The altar was meant to be experienced as a spiritual journey honoring the coming together of all of the Bane'ile and encouraging a sense of belonging within the greater whole. It was a place to honor and commune with the ancestors and to celebrate life.