Drukkna

The Drukkna is an Isima tradition that is held on various occasions; for sacrifices, for the sick, and for criminals who wish to atone for their crimes.

All participants must be willing volunteers. Those who are sick may be granted the Drukkna if they see a chance to be released from their suffering and ascend to the elders, and criminals may plead for a Drukkna if they truly wish to make up for their deeds. However, volunteering does not guarantee that a Drukkna will be executed. The captain of the ship or the village's eldest will decide when and if a Drukkna is executed. After a successful Drukkna is performed, the volunteer is awarded the title of "Hafbarn". This honorary title means "one with the sea" and is meant to show that this person, after becoming a part of the sea, will guide Isima ships to safe harbours.

Execution

To perform a Drukkna, a volunteer will strip down to the skin, attach weights to their body, and stand at the edge of the ice, or the edge of the ship. A staircase called "Stig" is then lowered into the water. The volunteers must then walk down these stairs without looking back until completely submersed, where they will drown. Failure, be it by looking back or resurfacing, is punished with an immediate exile. Abandoned in icy waters, this usually means death for those who failed.

Letter of Hafbarn

coming soon...



Ethnicity Species

Components and tools

Stig and weights

Related Ethnicities

• Isima