Harjjya Ceremonies (/ˈhɑɹȡ̚.ʥjɑ̤/, [ˈhɑ˞ḏ̚.ʤjɑ̤])

“Haṙjjyǎ wa periwār yo, haṙjjyǎ no śṫoṙġhi wa śṫoṙġhi yo.”

Written by pwrpffgrl

A tradition recognizing and celebrating platonic love.
Pạḿǎńńskāparr /ᵱɑ̰ˈᶆɑ̤ȵːˌᵴ̪kɐːᵱ.ɑʀ/¹ are like godparenthoods that the child (called a “konwën” /kɔᵰ̪ˈwɛᵰ̪/² in this context) was involved in choosing (there are some cases where someone's körramī /kœ.ʀɑˈᵯiː/³ is appointed their child’s de-facto pạḿǎńń, but it's more common that, unless the child chooses so later, they’re referred to with the same terminology as a parent’s ëḿvëńaṙ /(ʔ)ɛᶆˈɥɛȵ.ɑɹ/⁴, instead). Ëmsgạbaṙ are also similar to godparenthoods, except you're (generally, there are of course occasional exceptions in this area as well) mutually promising to take each other in as siblings if anything happens to either party's families.
Körraḿiṫyës⁵ are somewhat like marriages; you’re making a (hopefully) lifelong commitment to an especially intimate best friend.

History

Haṙjjyǎ have always been just as big a part of Amitian culture as blood family – multigenerational homes are the norm, with children usually either staying with their own or moving in with their spouse’s family rather than moving out when they reach adulthood, aunts and uncles being almost as involved as parents in raising children, and the elderly being taken care of by the younger generations of their family rather than put in nursing homes – so it wasn't long at all before a way to make such relationships official was developed. Both the Amitian City-State and the Amitian Supernatural Council will legally recognize friends as family members if you register them as such.

Execution

Different depending on the participants. Some hold ceremonies in their place of worship, some hold small outdoor parties, some just go to the Palace to file paperwork, some don't think they need such things and will just declare themselves as haṙjjyǎ and live as if they are (these cases are still considered legitimate in a similar fashion to common law marriages).

Components and tools

Popular decorations for all include yellow roses, jade plants, pineapples, and other plants, depending on where the participants are from and so on.
Many körramīs get tattoos, rings, and other such things to symbolize their commitment, similarly to how romantic couples do.

Participants

Unless there are extenuating circumstances, ëḿvëńaṙś, pạḿǎńńerrs and konwënaṙś blood, adoptive, and/or stepfamilies will usually be involved in these ceremonies as much as the individuals themselves and any officiants/etc., providing additional consent and so on.
The only technically required participants of a körraḿiṫyë ceremony are the soon-to-be körramīs, an officiant, and a witness, like with weddings. Most choose to have family and friends attend, though.

Observance

Whenever the participants want; but, of course, it usually happens during the weekend.

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¹ Literal translation: “parent-friendships.”
Gendered versions: ⟨pạwënnskāparr⟩ /ᵱɑ̰ˈwɛᵰ̪ːˌᵴ̪kɐːᵱ.ɑʀ/ “dad-friendships,” ⟨ḿǎvëńńśqāṕaṙ⟩ /mʲɑ̤ˈɥɛȵːˌɕcɐːpʲ.ɑɹ/ “mom-friendships.”
² Literal translation: “(grand)child/son-friend.”
Feminine version: ⟨konëne⟩ /kɔᵰ̪ˈɛᵰ̪.ə/ “(grand)daughter-friend.”
³ Literal translation: “heart's friend,” similarly to the Amitian Creole word for “best friend” (masc/neu.sg ⟨harrcwrrint⟩ /ˈhɑʀᵵ̪͡ᵴ̪.wʀɪᵰ̪ᵵ̪/, fem.sg ⟨harrcfrrindin⟩ /ˈhɑʀᵵ̪͡ᵴ̪.ʍʀɪᵰ̪ˌᵭ̪ɪᵰ̪/).
Feminine version: ⟨kworramika⟩ /ˈkwɔ.ʀɑˌᵯɪ.kɑ/.
Masculine version: ⟨kworramiko⟩ /ˈkwɔ.ʀɑˌᵯɪ.kɒ/.
⁴ Literal translation: “sib-friends.”
Feminine version: ⟨jịịńëńeńaṙ⟩ /ʥḭːȵˈɛȵ.əȵ.ɑɹ/ “sis-friends.”
Masculine version: ⟨anwënaṙ⟩ /(ʔ)ɑᵰ̪ˈwɛᵰ̪.ɑɹ/ “bro-friends.”
⁵ Masc/fem version: ⟨kworraḿićiccȝë⟩ /ˈkwɔ.ʀɑ.mʲɪˌʨɪᵵ̪̚.ᵵ̪͡ᵴ̪ɰɛ/

Primary Related Location

Amity City

Important Locations

• Otherlands

Related Organizations

• Amitian City-State
• Amitian Supernatural Council

Related Ethnicities

• Fei
• Jinniy
• Yaokwai