Chapter I
The retreat into the Jungle
It all begins with “Alemee”, a wondrous plant that thrives only under the hot sun above the savannah of Mabou. Since the beginning of Mabou, Alemee has been an important source of food, health and well-being for some of the animals of the dry savannah.
According to legend, a nomad of the “Baakir” tribe wanders into the savannah in search of game. Between two dunes he discovers the previously unknown fruit, picks it and smells its blossom. While eating it has no effect on humans, inhaling the plant’s juices works true healing miracles.
In no time, the miracle plant becomes the Baakir’s most popular trade good. No longer willing to do without its healing power, they dig up the fruit, roots and all, across the savannah – without considering how much the animals depend on the plant.
Chapter II
The Boxes of Alemee
“Come and breathe in the aromas of the enchanting ‘Alemee’ and feel the power flowing through your veins,” said the nomad. In no time, the captivating scent cast its spell over the whole village; everyone wanted to learn more about the plant from the savannah and get hold of it.
Only the Baakir elder, called “Charloon”, seemed to hesitate. Charloon was known for his prudence and scepticism, which had saved him and his people from hasty decisions and failures many times before. But in the frenzy of the Alemee, no one wanted to hear the elder’s concerns.
So the villagers set off and dug up the plant, roots and all, across the entire savannah. But when the Baakir realised that the savannah animals they so revered had fled into the jungle, robbed of their source of food, they knew that Charloon had been right once again. But it was too late.
Devout as they were, the Baakir now feared the punishment of the gods for their greed and avarice. Seeking advice, they turned to Charloon, but even he could not bring the animals back from the jungle. To express their reverence for the animals from then on, and as a lasting reminder of their deeds, the Baakir created handcrafted caskets on which they immortalised the savannah animals in mystical symbols.
