Mawb
Inarwi's Smallest Sect
History
Mawb is an offshoot of the Inarwi faith that began in 1740 in the isolated village of Hardy. Found in northwest Zenxon, Hardy was a rather isolated farming community of Inarwi followers. In the late 17th century, Vitnu immigrants took farming jobs there, and Inarwi community adopted parts of the Vitnu culture. Hardy and the surrounding area remain the primary places on Nideon where this version of Inarwi is practiced. It is also the only area where the Ru language is common. Though the Mawb faith is typitcally considered to be part of the Inarwi religion, it differs from more mainstream sects through a stronger commitment to gender equality and embracing fire, as well as light, magic. The Mawb sect is also more focused on the afterlife, and therefore has a stronger notion of the afterlife than other Inarwi groups.
Beliefs
Dieties
Mawb followers believe in a single diety, who they usually refer to as The Namer, more frequently referred to in other Inawri sects as The Lady or The Lady of Names. The shift to the gender-neutral title for the diety is due to the emphasis on gender equality within the sect. The Mawb defend this position through the Inarwi teaching that The Lady may take on any form, male or female, as she feels will best benefit the person with whom she is communicating. Like other Inarwi, the ultimate goal of the Mawb faith is to reunite with The Namer, which one does through living a good life and helping others who are in need. An emphasis is put on charity and charitable giving, which is re-enforced by the idea that one never knows who might actually be The Namer in disguise.
Worship
Ngebe ajd ngo a ujde wa. Ngebe ajd ngo arb nbordndirnb juwb.
Write my name with memory long lasting. Write my name as a whispered apology.
At the heart of Mawb worship is prayer. Because The Namer is believed to appear in many forms, and each person has a very personal relationship with them, much of this prayer is done indivudally, either silently or aloud in a secluded, personal space. Practitioners usually pray 3-5 times a day. There is a not a specific order of prayers that must be followed, and people believe that a person's conscience will guide them to which prayers need to be said in the moment. Prayer is spoken in groups during family gatherings or temple worship. These activities help young children learn the prayers, and adults usually have dozens of prayers memorized.
Temples
Mawb temples are simple buildings that closely resemble houses. They have a large sanctuary where public events occur, a kitchen, and an area where the clergy live, usually on a second story. Group worship usually begins with the clergy lighting incense. They lead the group in a series of prayers, followed by an opportunity for members to pray aloud or silently, on their own. When this period is over, one clergyperson will read a selected passage from The Light and will discuss and debate it with other clergy members with the goal of reaching a better understanding. During this time, other members of the congregation may also share their own interpretations. The service ends with a final group prayer. After the service, community members have the opportunity to bring up gifts to the clergypeople. If enough people provide food, a communal meal is prepared, especially if someone brings a live animal, which is usually butchered on the spot. Temples are also used for celebrations, such as weddings, and clergy will also lead less formal spiritual studies there.
Clergy
Mawb clergy are easily identified by their hooded garments that bear the Mawb compass. They are all Wizards who wield either Light or Fire Magic, and unlike other inarwi sects, can be any gender. Clergy are typically chosen as teenagers by other clergy who recognize in them a connection to The Namer. This divine connection helps them to understand the stories of their faith and make spiritual judgements. They are usually (but not always) celibate, dedicating themselves to The Namer. Nevertheless, it believed that connections to The Namer run in family lines, so nieces and nephews of previous clergy are often selected. Clergy live together in the temples and live off the donations of the community. Mawb communities tend to be very generous with donations, leading some to believe the clergy are corrupt.
Inarwi Compass by Artbreeder
Afterlife
Go to Ubhaiya!
Unlike other sects of Inarwi, Mawb followers have a unified belief in the afterlife. Their teachings include four main afterlives, though some suggest there might be others. Though placement in the afterlife primarily depends on how one lives one's life, the Mawb believe The Namer can move a soul from one afterlife to another if they see fit, and that they can pluck up a soul on its way to the afterlife and send it back to the world to be reincarnated.
Wunaida
Wunaida is the afterlife for heroic souls that gave their lives to defend others. This can be literal (taking a bullet for someone) or metaphorical (dedicating one's life to caring for orphans). This afterlife is a beautiful field of pleasures for all the senses.
Kwaiba
Kwaiba is the afterlife for those who have broken their oaths. It is a dark, slick cave in which souls are hunted by a monster seeking to devour them. After they pass through the digestive tract, they return to the cave to be hunted once again.
Huaimong
Huaimong is the afterlife which most people go to. It is a forest, where people have homes built into the trees, which they spend eternity tending to.
Ubhaiya
Ubhaiya is the afterlife of lost souls. This is usually literal (someone lost at sea), but can be metaphorical (someone who is believed to have wandered down the wrong path in life). It is less a place than a state of being. Souls in Ubhaiya have forgotten their own identities and wander for eternity, searching for them. For many people, this is considered worse than Kwaiba.
Sacred Texts
Yes, The Namer blessed Adelaide Cross with visions, but she is not the only one. How many more after her were given the same gift, and how many more today?
Like other Inarwi practioners, the Mawb follow a text called The Light, after the gift of Inarwi founder Adelaide Cross. The Mawb sect in particular, however, has a much more robust tradition of finding and debating new interpretations of this text. Some of the more well-known clergy have had their interpretations written down, but mostly they are passed down orally. This is likely facilitated by the small, insulated community in which the religion is found.
Clothing
I know we're not supposed to be remembered, but I want to remember today, so name it! I'm dressing up.
Similar to the Vitnu, the Mawb wear all-cotton clothing and do not cut their hair. Modesty is also an impotant part of the Mawb dress code. Sleeves fall to the wrist, and hems to the ankle. Clothes are usually in solid Earth-tones, though brighter colors and patterns are sometimes worn, especially for important occassions, and joyous holidays, such as the Festival of Stories. All people cover their heads, and piercings are considered taboo, but tattooing is not, when the tattoos are related to the faith.
Rites and Rituals
Birth
Mawb mothers typically do not use painkillers when birthing, because painkillers are typically considered something that separate one from The Namer. After the baby is born, the mother and baby usually spend the following month with her parents or other close family. At the end of this rest period, the baby is officially presented to the community during a temple ceremony that includes a celebratory meal. The father is usually tasked with organizaing this event.
Coming of Age
The Mawb coming of age ceremony typically happens in groups. Several children who have recently turned thirteen will join one another to re-enact a battle between The Namer and one or more demons. These are typically stories from The Light or other stories which have been passed down through the generations, but sometimes they are invented or reimagined by the children themselves, especially if there are particular demons they feel they have battled with. At the end of the re-enactment, the children share why they chose these battles in particular and what they have learned about themelves in the process of studying it.
Marriage
...and by so getting married, you vow also to raise your future children in the Mawb faith...
Mawb marriages usually occur a Mawb temple with the temple community in attendance. There is little fanfare. The marriage is overseen by the temple clergy, and the bride and groom exchange public vows to one another, to their future children, and to the Mawb temple and community. Sometimes weddings are followed by a potluck luncheon. It is customary to give the new couple sugared almonds for a sweet life together.
Dieties
Mawb followers believe in a single diety, who they usually refer to as The Namer, more frequently referred to in other Inawri sects as The Lady or The Lady of Names. The shift to the gender-neutral title for the diety is due to the emphasis on gender equality within the sect. The Mawb defend this position through the Inarwi teaching that The Lady may take on any form, male or female, as she feels will best benefit the person with whom she is communicating. Like other Inarwi, the ultimate goal of the Mawb faith is to reunite with The Namer, which one does through living a good life and helping others who are in need. An emphasis is put on charity and charitable giving, which is re-enforced by the idea that one never knows who might actually be The Namer in disguise.
Worship
Ngebe ajd ngo a ujde wa. Ngebe ajd ngo arb nbordndirnb juwb.
Write my name with memory long lasting. Write my name as a whispered apology.
At the heart of Mawb worship is prayer. Because The Namer is believed to appear in many forms, and each person has a very personal relationship with them, much of this prayer is done indivudally, either silently or aloud in a secluded, personal space. Practitioners usually pray 3-5 times a day. There is a not a specific order of prayers that must be followed, and people believe that a person's conscience will guide them to which prayers need to be said in the moment. Prayer is spoken in groups during family gatherings or temple worship. These activities help young children learn the prayers, and adults usually have dozens of prayers memorized.
Temples
Mawb temples are simple buildings that closely resemble houses. They have a large sanctuary where public events occur, a kitchen, and an area where the clergy live, usually on a second story. Group worship usually begins with the clergy lighting incense. They lead the group in a series of prayers, followed by an opportunity for members to pray aloud or silently, on their own. When this period is over, one clergyperson will read a selected passage from The Light and will discuss and debate it with other clergy members with the goal of reaching a better understanding. During this time, other members of the congregation may also share their own interpretations. The service ends with a final group prayer. After the service, community members have the opportunity to bring up gifts to the clergypeople. If enough people provide food, a communal meal is prepared, especially if someone brings a live animal, which is usually butchered on the spot. Temples are also used for celebrations, such as weddings, and clergy will also lead less formal spiritual studies there.
Clergy
Mawb clergy are easily identified by their hooded garments that bear the Mawb compass. They are all Wizards who wield either Light or Fire Magic, and unlike other inarwi sects, can be any gender. Clergy are typically chosen as teenagers by other clergy who recognize in them a connection to The Namer. This divine connection helps them to understand the stories of their faith and make spiritual judgements. They are usually (but not always) celibate, dedicating themselves to The Namer. Nevertheless, it believed that connections to The Namer run in family lines, so nieces and nephews of previous clergy are often selected. Clergy live together in the temples and live off the donations of the community. Mawb communities tend to be very generous with donations, leading some to believe the clergy are corrupt.Inarwi Compass by Artbreeder
Afterlife
Go to Ubhaiya!
Unlike other sects of Inarwi, Mawb followers have a unified belief in the afterlife. Their teachings include four main afterlives, though some suggest there might be others. Though placement in the afterlife primarily depends on how one lives one's life, the Mawb believe The Namer can move a soul from one afterlife to another if they see fit, and that they can pluck up a soul on its way to the afterlife and send it back to the world to be reincarnated.
Wunaida
Wunaida is the afterlife for heroic souls that gave their lives to defend others. This can be literal (taking a bullet for someone) or metaphorical (dedicating one's life to caring for orphans). This afterlife is a beautiful field of pleasures for all the senses.
Kwaiba
Kwaiba is the afterlife for those who have broken their oaths. It is a dark, slick cave in which souls are hunted by a monster seeking to devour them. After they pass through the digestive tract, they return to the cave to be hunted once again.
Huaimong
Huaimong is the afterlife which most people go to. It is a forest, where people have homes built into the trees, which they spend eternity tending to.
Ubhaiya
Ubhaiya is the afterlife of lost souls. This is usually literal (someone lost at sea), but can be metaphorical (someone who is believed to have wandered down the wrong path in life). It is less a place than a state of being. Souls in Ubhaiya have forgotten their own identities and wander for eternity, searching for them. For many people, this is considered worse than Kwaiba.
Sacred Texts
Yes, The Namer blessed Adelaide Cross with visions, but she is not the only one. How many more after her were given the same gift, and how many more today?
Like other Inarwi practioners, the Mawb follow a text called The Light, after the gift of Inarwi founder Adelaide Cross. The Mawb sect in particular, however, has a much more robust tradition of finding and debating new interpretations of this text. Some of the more well-known clergy have had their interpretations written down, but mostly they are passed down orally. This is likely facilitated by the small, insulated community in which the religion is found.
Clothing
I know we're not supposed to be remembered, but I want to remember today, so name it! I'm dressing up.
Similar to the Vitnu, the Mawb wear all-cotton clothing and do not cut their hair. Modesty is also an impotant part of the Mawb dress code. Sleeves fall to the wrist, and hems to the ankle. Clothes are usually in solid Earth-tones, though brighter colors and patterns are sometimes worn, especially for important occassions, and joyous holidays, such as the Festival of Stories. All people cover their heads, and piercings are considered taboo, but tattooing is not, when the tattoos are related to the faith.
Rites and Rituals
Birth
Mawb mothers typically do not use painkillers when birthing, because painkillers are typically considered something that separate one from The Namer. After the baby is born, the mother and baby usually spend the following month with her parents or other close family. At the end of this rest period, the baby is officially presented to the community during a temple ceremony that includes a celebratory meal. The father is usually tasked with organizaing this event.
Coming of Age
The Mawb coming of age ceremony typically happens in groups. Several children who have recently turned thirteen will join one another to re-enact a battle between The Namer and one or more demons. These are typically stories from The Light or other stories which have been passed down through the generations, but sometimes they are invented or reimagined by the children themselves, especially if there are particular demons they feel they have battled with. At the end of the re-enactment, the children share why they chose these battles in particular and what they have learned about themelves in the process of studying it.
Marriage
...and by so getting married, you vow also to raise your future children in the Mawb faith...
Mawb marriages usually occur a Mawb temple with the temple community in attendance. There is little fanfare. The marriage is overseen by the temple clergy, and the bride and groom exchange public vows to one another, to their future children, and to the Mawb temple and community. Sometimes weddings are followed by a potluck luncheon. It is customary to give the new couple sugared almonds for a sweet life together.
Ngebe ajd ngo a ujde wa. Ngebe ajd ngo arb nbordndirnb juwb.
Write my name with memory long lasting. Write my name as a whispered apology.
At the heart of Mawb worship is prayer. Because The Namer is believed to appear in many forms, and each person has a very personal relationship with them, much of this prayer is done indivudally, either silently or aloud in a secluded, personal space. Practitioners usually pray 3-5 times a day. There is a not a specific order of prayers that must be followed, and people believe that a person's conscience will guide them to which prayers need to be said in the moment. Prayer is spoken in groups during family gatherings or temple worship. These activities help young children learn the prayers, and adults usually have dozens of prayers memorized.
Temples
Mawb temples are simple buildings that closely resemble houses. They have a large sanctuary where public events occur, a kitchen, and an area where the clergy live, usually on a second story. Group worship usually begins with the clergy lighting incense. They lead the group in a series of prayers, followed by an opportunity for members to pray aloud or silently, on their own. When this period is over, one clergyperson will read a selected passage from The Light and will discuss and debate it with other clergy members with the goal of reaching a better understanding. During this time, other members of the congregation may also share their own interpretations. The service ends with a final group prayer. After the service, community members have the opportunity to bring up gifts to the clergypeople. If enough people provide food, a communal meal is prepared, especially if someone brings a live animal, which is usually butchered on the spot. Temples are also used for celebrations, such as weddings, and clergy will also lead less formal spiritual studies there.
Clergy
Mawb clergy are easily identified by their hooded garments that bear the Mawb compass. They are all Wizards who wield either Light or Fire Magic, and unlike other inarwi sects, can be any gender. Clergy are typically chosen as teenagers by other clergy who recognize in them a connection to The Namer. This divine connection helps them to understand the stories of their faith and make spiritual judgements. They are usually (but not always) celibate, dedicating themselves to The Namer. Nevertheless, it believed that connections to The Namer run in family lines, so nieces and nephews of previous clergy are often selected. Clergy live together in the temples and live off the donations of the community. Mawb communities tend to be very generous with donations, leading some to believe the clergy are corrupt.Inarwi Compass by Artbreeder
Afterlife
Go to Ubhaiya!
Unlike other sects of Inarwi, Mawb followers have a unified belief in the afterlife. Their teachings include four main afterlives, though some suggest there might be others. Though placement in the afterlife primarily depends on how one lives one's life, the Mawb believe The Namer can move a soul from one afterlife to another if they see fit, and that they can pluck up a soul on its way to the afterlife and send it back to the world to be reincarnated.
Wunaida
Wunaida is the afterlife for heroic souls that gave their lives to defend others. This can be literal (taking a bullet for someone) or metaphorical (dedicating one's life to caring for orphans). This afterlife is a beautiful field of pleasures for all the senses.
Kwaiba
Kwaiba is the afterlife for those who have broken their oaths. It is a dark, slick cave in which souls are hunted by a monster seeking to devour them. After they pass through the digestive tract, they return to the cave to be hunted once again.
Huaimong
Huaimong is the afterlife which most people go to. It is a forest, where people have homes built into the trees, which they spend eternity tending to.
Ubhaiya
Ubhaiya is the afterlife of lost souls. This is usually literal (someone lost at sea), but can be metaphorical (someone who is believed to have wandered down the wrong path in life). It is less a place than a state of being. Souls in Ubhaiya have forgotten their own identities and wander for eternity, searching for them. For many people, this is considered worse than Kwaiba.
Sacred Texts
Yes, The Namer blessed Adelaide Cross with visions, but she is not the only one. How many more after her were given the same gift, and how many more today?
Like other Inarwi practioners, the Mawb follow a text called The Light, after the gift of Inarwi founder Adelaide Cross. The Mawb sect in particular, however, has a much more robust tradition of finding and debating new interpretations of this text. Some of the more well-known clergy have had their interpretations written down, but mostly they are passed down orally. This is likely facilitated by the small, insulated community in which the religion is found.
Clothing
I know we're not supposed to be remembered, but I want to remember today, so name it! I'm dressing up.
Similar to the Vitnu, the Mawb wear all-cotton clothing and do not cut their hair. Modesty is also an impotant part of the Mawb dress code. Sleeves fall to the wrist, and hems to the ankle. Clothes are usually in solid Earth-tones, though brighter colors and patterns are sometimes worn, especially for important occassions, and joyous holidays, such as the Festival of Stories. All people cover their heads, and piercings are considered taboo, but tattooing is not, when the tattoos are related to the faith.
Rites and Rituals
Birth
Mawb mothers typically do not use painkillers when birthing, because painkillers are typically considered something that separate one from The Namer. After the baby is born, the mother and baby usually spend the following month with her parents or other close family. At the end of this rest period, the baby is officially presented to the community during a temple ceremony that includes a celebratory meal. The father is usually tasked with organizaing this event.
Coming of Age
The Mawb coming of age ceremony typically happens in groups. Several children who have recently turned thirteen will join one another to re-enact a battle between The Namer and one or more demons. These are typically stories from The Light or other stories which have been passed down through the generations, but sometimes they are invented or reimagined by the children themselves, especially if there are particular demons they feel they have battled with. At the end of the re-enactment, the children share why they chose these battles in particular and what they have learned about themelves in the process of studying it.
Marriage
...and by so getting married, you vow also to raise your future children in the Mawb faith...
Mawb marriages usually occur a Mawb temple with the temple community in attendance. There is little fanfare. The marriage is overseen by the temple clergy, and the bride and groom exchange public vows to one another, to their future children, and to the Mawb temple and community. Sometimes weddings are followed by a potluck luncheon. It is customary to give the new couple sugared almonds for a sweet life together.
Mawb clergy are easily identified by their hooded garments that bear the Mawb compass. They are all Wizards who wield either Light or Fire Magic, and unlike other inarwi sects, can be any gender. Clergy are typically chosen as teenagers by other clergy who recognize in them a connection to The Namer. This divine connection helps them to understand the stories of their faith and make spiritual judgements. They are usually (but not always) celibate, dedicating themselves to The Namer. Nevertheless, it believed that connections to The Namer run in family lines, so nieces and nephews of previous clergy are often selected. Clergy live together in the temples and live off the donations of the community. Mawb communities tend to be very generous with donations, leading some to believe the clergy are corrupt.
Inarwi Compass by Artbreeder
Afterlife
Go to Ubhaiya!
Unlike other sects of Inarwi, Mawb followers have a unified belief in the afterlife. Their teachings include four main afterlives, though some suggest there might be others. Though placement in the afterlife primarily depends on how one lives one's life, the Mawb believe The Namer can move a soul from one afterlife to another if they see fit, and that they can pluck up a soul on its way to the afterlife and send it back to the world to be reincarnated.
Wunaida
Wunaida is the afterlife for heroic souls that gave their lives to defend others. This can be literal (taking a bullet for someone) or metaphorical (dedicating one's life to caring for orphans). This afterlife is a beautiful field of pleasures for all the senses.
Kwaiba
Kwaiba is the afterlife for those who have broken their oaths. It is a dark, slick cave in which souls are hunted by a monster seeking to devour them. After they pass through the digestive tract, they return to the cave to be hunted once again.
Huaimong
Huaimong is the afterlife which most people go to. It is a forest, where people have homes built into the trees, which they spend eternity tending to.
Ubhaiya
Ubhaiya is the afterlife of lost souls. This is usually literal (someone lost at sea), but can be metaphorical (someone who is believed to have wandered down the wrong path in life). It is less a place than a state of being. Souls in Ubhaiya have forgotten their own identities and wander for eternity, searching for them. For many people, this is considered worse than Kwaiba.
Sacred Texts
Yes, The Namer blessed Adelaide Cross with visions, but she is not the only one. How many more after her were given the same gift, and how many more today?
Like other Inarwi practioners, the Mawb follow a text called The Light, after the gift of Inarwi founder Adelaide Cross. The Mawb sect in particular, however, has a much more robust tradition of finding and debating new interpretations of this text. Some of the more well-known clergy have had their interpretations written down, but mostly they are passed down orally. This is likely facilitated by the small, insulated community in which the religion is found.
Clothing
I know we're not supposed to be remembered, but I want to remember today, so name it! I'm dressing up.
Similar to the Vitnu, the Mawb wear all-cotton clothing and do not cut their hair. Modesty is also an impotant part of the Mawb dress code. Sleeves fall to the wrist, and hems to the ankle. Clothes are usually in solid Earth-tones, though brighter colors and patterns are sometimes worn, especially for important occassions, and joyous holidays, such as the Festival of Stories. All people cover their heads, and piercings are considered taboo, but tattooing is not, when the tattoos are related to the faith.
Rites and Rituals
Birth
Mawb mothers typically do not use painkillers when birthing, because painkillers are typically considered something that separate one from The Namer. After the baby is born, the mother and baby usually spend the following month with her parents or other close family. At the end of this rest period, the baby is officially presented to the community during a temple ceremony that includes a celebratory meal. The father is usually tasked with organizaing this event.
Coming of Age
The Mawb coming of age ceremony typically happens in groups. Several children who have recently turned thirteen will join one another to re-enact a battle between The Namer and one or more demons. These are typically stories from The Light or other stories which have been passed down through the generations, but sometimes they are invented or reimagined by the children themselves, especially if there are particular demons they feel they have battled with. At the end of the re-enactment, the children share why they chose these battles in particular and what they have learned about themelves in the process of studying it.
Marriage
...and by so getting married, you vow also to raise your future children in the Mawb faith...
Mawb marriages usually occur a Mawb temple with the temple community in attendance. There is little fanfare. The marriage is overseen by the temple clergy, and the bride and groom exchange public vows to one another, to their future children, and to the Mawb temple and community. Sometimes weddings are followed by a potluck luncheon. It is customary to give the new couple sugared almonds for a sweet life together.
Wunaida
Wunaida is the afterlife for heroic souls that gave their lives to defend others. This can be literal (taking a bullet for someone) or metaphorical (dedicating one's life to caring for orphans). This afterlife is a beautiful field of pleasures for all the senses.
Kwaiba
Kwaiba is the afterlife for those who have broken their oaths. It is a dark, slick cave in which souls are hunted by a monster seeking to devour them. After they pass through the digestive tract, they return to the cave to be hunted once again.
Huaimong
Huaimong is the afterlife which most people go to. It is a forest, where people have homes built into the trees, which they spend eternity tending to.
Ubhaiya
Ubhaiya is the afterlife of lost souls. This is usually literal (someone lost at sea), but can be metaphorical (someone who is believed to have wandered down the wrong path in life). It is less a place than a state of being. Souls in Ubhaiya have forgotten their own identities and wander for eternity, searching for them. For many people, this is considered worse than Kwaiba.
Yes, The Namer blessed Adelaide Cross with visions, but she is not the only one. How many more after her were given the same gift, and how many more today?
Like other Inarwi practioners, the Mawb follow a text called The Light, after the gift of Inarwi founder Adelaide Cross. The Mawb sect in particular, however, has a much more robust tradition of finding and debating new interpretations of this text. Some of the more well-known clergy have had their interpretations written down, but mostly they are passed down orally. This is likely facilitated by the small, insulated community in which the religion is found.
Clothing
I know we're not supposed to be remembered, but I want to remember today, so name it! I'm dressing up.
Similar to the Vitnu, the Mawb wear all-cotton clothing and do not cut their hair. Modesty is also an impotant part of the Mawb dress code. Sleeves fall to the wrist, and hems to the ankle. Clothes are usually in solid Earth-tones, though brighter colors and patterns are sometimes worn, especially for important occassions, and joyous holidays, such as the Festival of Stories. All people cover their heads, and piercings are considered taboo, but tattooing is not, when the tattoos are related to the faith.
Rites and Rituals
Birth
Mawb mothers typically do not use painkillers when birthing, because painkillers are typically considered something that separate one from The Namer. After the baby is born, the mother and baby usually spend the following month with her parents or other close family. At the end of this rest period, the baby is officially presented to the community during a temple ceremony that includes a celebratory meal. The father is usually tasked with organizaing this event.
Coming of Age
The Mawb coming of age ceremony typically happens in groups. Several children who have recently turned thirteen will join one another to re-enact a battle between The Namer and one or more demons. These are typically stories from The Light or other stories which have been passed down through the generations, but sometimes they are invented or reimagined by the children themselves, especially if there are particular demons they feel they have battled with. At the end of the re-enactment, the children share why they chose these battles in particular and what they have learned about themelves in the process of studying it.
Marriage
...and by so getting married, you vow also to raise your future children in the Mawb faith...
Mawb marriages usually occur a Mawb temple with the temple community in attendance. There is little fanfare. The marriage is overseen by the temple clergy, and the bride and groom exchange public vows to one another, to their future children, and to the Mawb temple and community. Sometimes weddings are followed by a potluck luncheon. It is customary to give the new couple sugared almonds for a sweet life together.
I know we're not supposed to be remembered, but I want to remember today, so name it! I'm dressing up.
Similar to the Vitnu, the Mawb wear all-cotton clothing and do not cut their hair. Modesty is also an impotant part of the Mawb dress code. Sleeves fall to the wrist, and hems to the ankle. Clothes are usually in solid Earth-tones, though brighter colors and patterns are sometimes worn, especially for important occassions, and joyous holidays, such as the Festival of Stories. All people cover their heads, and piercings are considered taboo, but tattooing is not, when the tattoos are related to the faith.
Birth
Mawb mothers typically do not use painkillers when birthing, because painkillers are typically considered something that separate one from The Namer. After the baby is born, the mother and baby usually spend the following month with her parents or other close family. At the end of this rest period, the baby is officially presented to the community during a temple ceremony that includes a celebratory meal. The father is usually tasked with organizaing this event.
Coming of Age
The Mawb coming of age ceremony typically happens in groups. Several children who have recently turned thirteen will join one another to re-enact a battle between The Namer and one or more demons. These are typically stories from The Light or other stories which have been passed down through the generations, but sometimes they are invented or reimagined by the children themselves, especially if there are particular demons they feel they have battled with. At the end of the re-enactment, the children share why they chose these battles in particular and what they have learned about themelves in the process of studying it.
Marriage
...and by so getting married, you vow also to raise your future children in the Mawb faith...
Mawb marriages usually occur a Mawb temple with the temple community in attendance. There is little fanfare. The marriage is overseen by the temple clergy, and the bride and groom exchange public vows to one another, to their future children, and to the Mawb temple and community. Sometimes weddings are followed by a potluck luncheon. It is customary to give the new couple sugared almonds for a sweet life together.
The Mawb coming of age ceremony typically happens in groups. Several children who have recently turned thirteen will join one another to re-enact a battle between The Namer and one or more demons. These are typically stories from The Light or other stories which have been passed down through the generations, but sometimes they are invented or reimagined by the children themselves, especially if there are particular demons they feel they have battled with. At the end of the re-enactment, the children share why they chose these battles in particular and what they have learned about themelves in the process of studying it.
Marriage
...and by so getting married, you vow also to raise your future children in the Mawb faith...
Mawb marriages usually occur a Mawb temple with the temple community in attendance. There is little fanfare. The marriage is overseen by the temple clergy, and the bride and groom exchange public vows to one another, to their future children, and to the Mawb temple and community. Sometimes weddings are followed by a potluck luncheon. It is customary to give the new couple sugared almonds for a sweet life together.
Inarwi Compass by Artbreeder
Type
Religious, Sect
Important Holidays
- The Day of the Prophet--this holiday is celebrated on the fall equinox, and remembers Adelaide Cross, who founded the Inarwi religion. Practioners fast from dawn until dusk, and most temples hold a meal at the end. This is considered a time for remembering the obstacles of the past and using these lessons to move forward in the future. It is often a day for political rallies, but also a time for individuals to attempt to rekindle suffering relationships.
- Bread Day--this holiday is celebrated in the winter and is intended to remind people of the importance of giving to charity. Usually Mawb followers dedicate this day to donating time to a local chairty or otherwise helping those in need where they live. It is called bread day because the day was originally dedicated to baking bread and preparing food for the hungry. They would traditionally wear masks or hoods because the Mawb believe that they should not be remembered for their good deeds, but that these deeds should honor The Namer.
- The Festival of Bravery--is the week leading up to Bread Day. It honors mages who once lost their lives due to anti-magic laws in Zenxon and is a time of personal contemplation in which people turn their thoughts inward and let their conscience, guided by The Namer, lead them to see their faults and commit to becoming better people in the coming year. This commitment is then begun with the commitment to charity on Bread Day.
During the Festival of Bravery, Mawb followers fast each day from dawn to dusk, and spend much of this time in personal prayer. Temples are open throughout the day and night, though no official services are held. Instead, people come and go as necessary to commune with The Namer, guided by the clergyperson on duty, if needed. Unlike the Day of the Prophet, the fast is broken each night with a small meal in the home, rather than community meal in the temple.
- The Heroes Festival--is a three day festival beginning on the spring equinox. It honors Adelaide's daughters and other important figures in the Mawb faith. It also celebrates the world returning to light and the new life that comes with spring. It is a time of gift-giving and the foregiveness of debt. Ducks are commonly eaten at this time. It is also a popular time for weddings.
- The Festival of Stories--this holiday, celebrated in summer, usually lasts several days. It is a joyful time when people tell stories and enact plays based on The Light. It particularly revolves around children and is considered a time for them to learn and appreciate their religious traditions.
Wunaida by Artbreeder
Huaimong by Artbreeder
Kwaiba by Artbreeder
Ubhaiya by Artbreeder
I really like the depictions of the different afterlives. I definitely feel that Ubhaiya would be worse than Kwaiba. I like the idea that adults have memorised lots of prayers and let their mind guide them towards the right prayer for the moment.
Thanks for reading!