1 day for the Giibaka Ritual
3 days of desert rituals.
6 days to meet the other yu'jin.
And 19 days of survival in the desert without our elders.
Sounds like great time if you ask me.
- Nariike Valashaa of the Janiirii Yu'jin
Yun'kahenii Yanashiiv, "The Long Trial of the Sand," is the most important ceremony in a Vraii'jashuk's life. It is, after all, a coming of age ceremony and trial.
When a Vraii'jashuk reaches 17 before the 1st of
Unta'renzaal, they must partake in Yun'kahenii Yanashiiv. It is both a ceremony and a trial that spans the course of thirty days. Yun'kahenii Yanashiiv is divided into two portions: Ja'saa kii Rahanii, a six-day ceremony, and Ja'saa kii On'naaharen. The ceremony portion comprises four days of rituals and six days of forming bonds with other
yu'jin. The trial part is 19 days of surviving in the desert amongst themselves.
All Vraii'jashuk make it past the ceremonious part Yun'kahenii Yanashiiv, but not all can complete the trial.
Ja'saa kii Rahanii
Ja'saa kii Rahanii, the "Ceremony of the Desert," is a six-day ceremony that includes four days of traditional Vraii'jashuk rituals and six days of Pa'hajaz. On the 1st of day of Unta'renzaal, when every yu'jin has already converged to the sacred site Najah'hanas, each yu'jin undergoes the Giibaka ritual. The ritual itself is held within each yu'jin. The ritual involves the coming-of-age Vraii'jashuk in creating their own traditional Giibaka with the guidance of their yu'jin elders. This ritual only lasts a single day.
On the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th days of Yun'kahenii Yanashiiv, La'vazel kii Zolkan'na, "the Rituals of the Elders," is observed. These three days of rituals are grueling, as they are primarily long and tedious chants led by yu'jin elders. On the final day of La'vazel kii Zolkan'na, Sunaz'saa is held, the "First Art." This ritual involves each Vraii'jashuk creating their first "true" work of art, using the giibaka they created during the Giibaka Ritual. This observance is especially important to Vraii'jashuk culture.
The next six days of Yun'kahenii Yanashiiv are a large gathering of each yu'jin. "Fara'hiid," literally "The Gathering," begins on the 5th day when every yu'jin finally meets each other. Each day is significant, and a single event is held. The days go as follows: Lazaj on the 5th day, Yakarij on the 6th day, Riija on the 7th day, Iishuru on the 8th day, Gaharaa on the 9th day, and Ej'mojahaka on the 10th day.
Lazaj, "meeting" is when every Vraii'jashuk gathers inside the Najah'hanas Shrine. This is when they take the opportunity for meets and greets and swapping tales with each other. Lazaj sets a precedent for the next five days and Ja'saa kii On'naaharen. Primarily, Lazaj is the first bonds of the ceremony, when the young Vraii'jashuk form the bonds that begin new relationships.
Yakarij, "showcase," is when every Vraii'jashuk showcases their art from Sunaz'saa. Most of this art is poetry written in beautiful calligraphy that tells stories from ages past. At around 2PM, they all gather and begin Janasun, the "Second Art." This art differs from Sunaz'aa in the fact that this work of art is a collaborative effort. Vraii'jashuk create groups, no more than 6 and no less than 3, to create a unique work of art. This bonding ritual lasts until sunset. Yakarij is referred to as the second bonds of the ceremony.
Riija, "majesty," is a showcase of magical talent and art. The ritual is three-part: individual, dual, and party. In the morning, at the sun's rising, the Vraii'jashuk showcases individual magical talent as a means of creating art. This is often intricate and one of the few things a Vraii'jashuk can practice before Yun'kahenii Yanashiiv. By using their magic, the individual Vraii'jashuk weave an artistic story with their magic. Riija is referred to as the third bonds ceremony.
After the individual showcases, each individual chooses a partner to participate with in the dual showcase. The dual showcase is similar, this time using two devils. And at sunset, the two devils look for other members to participate with for the party showcase. Similar to the other two showcases, only this one uses three to six devils. Outsiders who have had the privilege of observing Riija always state it is one of the most beautiful things they have ever seen.
Iishuru, "duel," is a friendly bout of Vraii'jashuk fighting abilities. Every devil engages in this activity, representing their respective yu'jin. This ritual is intended to bring pride to one's yu'jin. Most devils, by this point, would have already developed some form of relationships with the others they met during Riija, Yakarij, and Lazaj. Most duels between devils occur between these relationships. Iishuru is the fourth bonds ceremony.
Gahaara, "dance," is an evening and night-long dance. Traditional music is played, and artwork is displayed. Every young Vraii'jashuk participates, dancing another form of bringing pride to one's yu'jin. Devils dance with each other indiscriminately, and not rare to see two of the same sex dancing with one another. Come the later night is what the Vraii'jashuk call Gahaara ziin Val'janasun, "High Star's Dance," a dance between two devils that have developed deeper bonds with one another.
Come the later night is what the Vraii'jashuk call Gahaara ziin Val'janasun, "High Star's Dance," a dance between two devils that have developed deeper bonds with one another. During Gahaara ziin Val'janasun, it's common for siblings to dance with one another or even devils that have taken romantic interest in one another. Others do so as a way to proclaim deep friendship.
The final event of Ja'saa kii Rahanii is Ej'mojahaka, "The Ceremony Before Sand's Gluttony." During Ej'mojahaka the survival teams that will head out into the desert are created. Most of these teams are Vraii'jashuk who became close during the previous 5 days. The Vraii'jashuk elders tell each team where they will be going, advise them, and prepare a grand feast for the young Vraii'jashuk that are about to spend the next 19 days in the desert.
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Author's Notes
All images in this article are either by me or royalty-free via Shutterstock. All other images are given proper credit.
This article is still a heavy WIP and is only being released like this to be counted as part of SC '21's article count. I'm just really trying to play catch up if I'm being honest and sweet devil's balls I went overboard on this one.