INTARE
allyHero
Intare is an entity little attested in the available sources. In Kirundi and in Kinyarwanda, intare means lion, and the word serves as an element of royal names in the Great Lakes region, in particular in Burundi where several sovereigns bore the name of Ntare. The tradition that would make of him a king who caused the springs of the Nile to gush forth could not be confirmed by solid sources. It is only known that the southernmost source of the Nile lies in Burundi, on a site reputed to be sacred.
Powers & Attributes
Role in the ROHO universe
Voice of its pantheon. INTARE carries the memory of its tradition and weaves a thread into the Mabioni. Bound to the Burundi pantheon.
Sacred Mask
An ancient ritual mask of sacred wood, old metal and black stone, engraved with symbols of kingship, embodiment of the power of Intare
Era
Ancient cycle
Frequently asked questions
What is known of Intare?
Little of substance. The name means lion in Kirundi and serves as an element of royal names in Burundi, but the precise figure described here is not confirmed by the sources.
Did Intare really cause the springs of the Nile to gush forth?
Nothing allows us to affirm it. The southernmost source of the Nile does lie in Burundi, on a sacred site, but no verifiable narrative attributes it to a king named Intare.
Can he be linked to the Ntare kings of Burundi?
It is possible but uncertain. Ntare is a name borne by several Burundian sovereigns. The link with this entity remains a hypothesis.