An aboriginal tradition in which a member of the Wathurong tribe must partake in a journey to hunt a spirit and consume its flesh to allow them access into the spiritual world.
History
The tradition dates long before colonial recordings. Historians and explorers would often attempt to communicate with the Wathruong people to set good terms and trades between one another. Their relations took time to form, with both native hostilities and white European morals being strong contrasts to one another.
It was observed as a rite of passage for their warriors to be strong protectors of their people against any forces that may do harm. It is considered a celebration of a male finally reaching adulthood and strengthening the ties of his community and the spirit world. This hunt serves the purpose to allow someone to be accepted by the spirits of the land and fuse themselves with them, allowing them to be enlightened.
The Wathurong people never consider hunting these spirits to be considered 'killing' but more of letting the spirit's power and essence be transferred into the one who consumes their flesh after a battle. It's not death, it's a doorway.
Execution
A strong warrior of the tribe will set out to exploration in the country on their own, only to return once his objective has been completed. During this hunt, the warrior must locate a Moorabool or 'spirit' in the Wathurong language. These spirits are supernatural beasts not common in this world, similar to the ones located in the US and Africa.
The warrior must locate and hunt one of these roaming spirits, in an attempt to gain their blessing to consume their meat. The larger the spirit the more knowledge and essence it is believed the warrior will possess. Upon subduing a spirit, the warrior will cut a chunk of raw meat from the body and keep a token from it to prove to the elders of the tribe of the successful journey, whether it be fur, a claw, a tooth, or anything on the spirits body.
Upon arrival back to the tribe, the warrior inherit the symbol of the spirit they hunted, gaining their 'abilities' and 'qualities'
At this current point in time, it is unconfirmed whether this tradition does in fact enhance a person's performance and connection to the spirits of the world.
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