Inggerai (Ing-jer-ay)

The Inggerai are native to the Mengga region, a chain of islands in the southern hemisphere of Nephiglo. They have the smallest population distribution of the Niglaone peoples and occasionally get stereotyped as insular and hostile to outsiders, but their home region’s economy is heavily dependent on tourism.
The Inggerai’s most famous exports are the ingredients for torru, a delicacy that is traditionally served as part of the Festival of the Dark Suns and some other important dates in the Inggerai's calendar. The shellfish dish is extremely popular with tourists in the region, though is rarely served outside of festival periods. Torru has often been described as the most exquisite culinary creation on the planet, and the wealthy in Sghou in particular pay small fortunes to eat it at home. The expense of the dish outside of Mengga comes not just from the regionality of most of the ingredients, but from the skill required in both the preparation of the dish, and the capture of the gacava, which has a powerful defence mechanism.
Tradition is highly valued among the Inggerai people, especially during festival periods. Festival food such as torru is prepared and served by the person who caught the gacava, out of respect to the old ways where everyone caught and harvested food for their own households. Festivals tend to be community-based, and certain individuals in the communities are appointed to be the ones to source, prepare and serve the food for the rest of their community.
The dahmi, whose oil is used in the preparation of torru, is a sacred flower to the Inggerai people. There are many different myths behind its creation, and products of it are only permitted to be consumed in certain ways. Dahmi oil has to be sold under licence to foreigners, and there is a flourishing black market in it.

Culture

Common Myths and Legends

The Inggerai's original religion revolved around a pantheon of gods who could be observed in the heavens. The beliefs shifted when these celestial bodies turned out to be their neighbouring planets. Remnants of the traditional beliefs merged with those of visitors to the region, including the Paliiz people from Azpal (the planet originally thought to be the god Zaaln). While the gods retained their names and most their main roles in the pantheon, they went from tangible, visible entities to spiritual deities.