Mandalorian religion

The Mandalorian religion reflected the sensibilities and values of the Mandalorians. Like the culture itself, it changed over the years, but still maintained its fundamental tenets. In ancient times, Mandalorians were intensely religious, worshipping war and taking their myths literally. However disillusionment with devastating wars of conquest led to a re-interpretation of the stories as parables, to confer philosophical meaning rather than fact.

In Mandalorian myth, the sloth-god Arasuum eternally fought the destroyer god Kad Ha'rangir. This represented the constant struggle between stagnation, and the opportunity for change that stemmed from destruction. Every Mandalorian warrior who died supposedly joined an army in the afterlife; there they defended their wives and children, who lived on an enduring, peaceful homestead. This was viewed as the only place where Mandalorians could finally settle down permanently.

Later generations moved away from a belief in a literal heaven to emphasize the idea of the manda. The manda was described as "a combination of the collective state of being, the essence of being Mandalorian, and an oversoul." To be part of it, a Mandalorian must understand their culture and truly live out its ideals. Otherwise, they would be a dar'manda–someone who was ignorant of their heritage, and would have no soul and no afterlife. This was regarded as a fate worse than death. This emphasis on culture helped to preserve the identity of the Mandalorians even when scattered across the galaxy.

Aspects of Mandalorian mythology

 * Arasuum - the sloth god, personification of stagnation, idleness, and consumption
 * Kad Ha'rangir - the destroyer god, who forced change and growth upon the universe
 * Akaanati'kar'oya (The War of Life and Death) - Mandalorian creation myth

Appearances

 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords
 * Sacrifice