Kiranga
Kiranga is the central figure of the Kubandwa spirit possession cult in Burundi, a revered hero-spirit who bridges the gap between the supreme creator Imana and humanity. According to tradition, Kiranga was originally a mortal prince and accomplished hunter who met a tragic end when he was killed by a wounded antelope during a hunt. Far from simply passing into oblivion, his death transformed him into a powerful spirit who became the leader of the imandwa, the company of hero-spirits who serve as intermediaries between the divine and mortal realms. The Kubandwa cult, which worships Kiranga, is