Perfecta

General introduction

The perfecta (pl.: perfecté) are a genre of texts that is connected to the activities of religious groups or individuals like priests colleges or a temples or cults head priests or leaders.

The word 'perfecta' is an ordinary word in the Tarrabaenian Language, being derived from the past participle of the verb 'perficere', which means 'things done', 'things completed' and as such the texts called perfecta are lists of what a religious group or individual has done within a certain period of time. Perfecta can be found in all major Tarrabaenian cities, where they are recorded on stone slabs and exhibited on the parétié fáris sánciumque.

Purpose and content

Perfecta were and still are used to document religious activities within a cycle pertaining to the respective cult. Thus some perfecta are issued every year, every other year and again others every five, six or seven years. This does not necessarily mean, that the perfecta issued less often are longer and contain more information, though, as some cults only have major events needing recording every few years. The schedule for issueing perfecta is always fixed and can not be shortened or prolonged, even if major events take place, like the destruction of a sacred site that needs repairing.

The writing and publication of the perfecta on stone slabs is part of a sacrificial ceremony to the deity worshipped by the respective cult. These ceremonies are used to have little festivals, where commoners get free food and can make small donations to the cult apart from their regular temple visits. Apart from that, the perfecta are referred to if one needs guidance in religious questions, as the data kept on the plates provides examples for what and how to sacrifice on certain occasions and which time of the day, week, month or year is best for the kind of sacrifice you have to make.

Since the Tarrabaenians started researching their history and their artifacts in the intellectual movement called íversinia nótra, the perfecta have drawn the attention of scholars researching ancient customs and archaic forms of the Tarrabaenian Language.

Type

Record, Deed