Zoek
Naming Traditions
Other names
The Zoek, like many dvaer, recognize a descriptive nickname in place of a family name. This is generally conferred on them with great ceremony by the clan chief upon their fiftieth birthday.
Culture
Shared customary codes and values
The Zoek venerate the Khuldaag, especially Mortag, Amasar, and Amurg. A hushed and frightened reverence is paid to Zhegharol.
Birth & Baptismal Rites
Newborn Zoeks are taken to the surface on their first day of life and presented to the sky, then they are taken into the Temple of Amurg, where they are consecrated and their parents confer their given name. The meaning behind this odd practice is lost, but it is called Noert. It is considered a very bad omen when a child or its mother are unable to observe Noert on the child's first day of life.
Coming of Age Rites
On a Zoek's fiftieth birthday, they present themselves to their clan-chief, who accompanies them to the Temple of Mortag. There, the clan-chief presents the individual with their nickname. The priest rubs an oil extracted from the skin of a particular grub on the backs of the individual's hands, at which point they are recognized as an adult.
Funerary and Memorial customs
The Zoek universally intern their dead in stone tombs outside of the settlement.
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