

In episode 4 of _Shoukoku no Altair_ , Mahmut travels to the village of
Tughril, his hometown. After disembarking from the wagon on which he arrived,
he empties a bottle of liquid onto the earth (in a rather showy manner) and
then kneels down, seemingly to pray or to mourn.

[![Mahmut emptying a bottle - Shoukoku no Altair, episode 4,
1:24](https://i.stack.imgur.com/pqQ2km.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/pqQ2k.jpg)

Why did he do that? This gesture appears to be portrayed as having some kind
of ritual significance, but I don't know what to make of it.


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2017-09-03T09:17:32.687
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2023-12-02T18:02:50.283
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altair-a-record-of-battles
Why does Mahmut empty a bottle of liquid upon returning home?


I haven't seen the series, but it sounds like a **libation** , or ritual
pouring of liquid. See <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libation> . It is an
ancient practice of many cultures, usually as an offering to a god or in
remembrance of those who have passed on. If the series takes part in Japan, it
may specifically be a Shinto or Buddhist practice, but if in an anonymous
fantasy world, they probably generalized the custom. What you describe
certainly fits with what the article states.


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2017-09-03T23:00:28.337
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2017-09-03T23:00:28.337
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