Izimbuju

The capital of the Ojono Empire is the ancient trade city of Izimbuju. Trade is crucial to the city and the basis for the Ojono Empire. The city arose from a nucleus of tribal villages almost two thousand years ago. The travel of pilgrims to and from the Umtalist holy site known as the Sacred Park of the Ongobizai increased the power of the rulers of the Ojo Nation. In time, Izimbuju was established as the seat of their power.

The city rests atop buttes and stone columns, situated on the neck of the Ulandari Peninsula and controls access to the peninsula, especially the Sacred Park of the Ongobizai. The mouth of the Achwara River lies just north of the city and is an important course for merchants and pilgrims.

The House of the Ugumbu and the Temple of Umtal and generally the most important places in Izimbuju. The House of Ugumbu is the residence and palace of the Ugumbu, the High Priest of the Ojo Tribe and an important leader in the Umtalist Religion.

Trade

Trade is essential to the livelihood of Izimbuju and the Ojono Empire. Spices, craft goods, raw goods, and especially juthu can be found in the city's several markets.

Beasts of burden include jawshas, some ugatils, camels, elephants, and rarely horses.

Important Sites

• House of the Ugumbu
• Temple of Umtal
• Fambuzu Market
• Market of the Ubalichu
• Chandibezbal Town, on the mouth of the Achwara River

Sacred Park of the Ongobizai

Main article: Sacred Park of the Ongobizai

The Sacred Park of the Ongobizai rests on the mid of the northwest coast of the Ulandari Peninsula. In this park which remains relatively greener than the surrounding arid lands rise the shimmering stones of the Ongobizai, shiny, dark grey boulders of immense size, jutting into the sky from the earth which believers acknowledge as the remains of colossal, mythical beasts. In the time of legend, these beasts, the Ongoko, appearing as a unique combination of the elephant and the giant sloth, were sent by earth divinities to thwart the purposes of the god Umtal. Legends explain how Umtal prevented their designs and converted the beasts in several contests to his side. The god granted the beasts immortality as massive boulders jutting to the sky. Today believers make pilgrimages to the site.

Language

The imperial servants and many merchants have ensured that Adinuhu is the principal language of the city. Adinuhu is spoken by the Ojo Tribe and several related tribes. It is the second language of most merchants and educated persons in the Ojono Empire. In addition to Adinuhu, many other languages are spoken in the city by the various visiting merchants, pilgrims, ambassadors, visitors, and so forth.

See Also

• Achwara River
• Chandibezbal Town
• Keolamattu Sea
• Ojono Empire
• Ongoko
• Sacred Park of the Ongobizai
• Tulunku Bay
• Ugumbu
• Ulandari Peninsula
• Umtal
• Umtalism
• Yomyo
• Za-Bahuna