This is a customary courting ritual outlining how to go about courting another individual in a way that shows your intention of forming a lasting relationship and proves your desire to not share bed with anyone but them for the rest of your life.
Etymology & Definition
The name for this traditional ritual is derived from the courteous invitation made by the party seeking a mate, usually spoken somewhere along the lines of
‘I would like to share the warmth of my heart, from now until I walk the last trail’.
‘Kienkii’ is the gjevasudit word for ‘to share’ and ‘to gift’. The word ‘bieggjan’ is compounded from the two roots ‘bieg’ for ‘child’ and ‘heart’, and ‘jan’ for ‘mine’ and ‘my’ which is typically translated to ‘my heart’. For localization the ritual’s name is thus most commonly translated to ‘share my heart’.
‘The last trail’ is very likely a reference to the ‘Soha Hyssna’ – a bridge featured in the Soha Oavolkijiit mythology that connects the world with the deity Tijosalomai’s mouth.— Notation by Dr. Tybulus Svilen.
History
Origin
This tradition likely has its root in the similar ritual Kienkii Lhukkjan and its creation may have originated from a need to address some shortcomings of the older custom. The Kienkii Lhukkjan was only meant for cases of temporary companionship where both parties are expected to part ways and not form lasting bonds between each other.
Most modern bieggjan tribes recognize that some individuals may develop a deep-seated affection for each other and will want to share bed with anyone but each other. When its thought that two individuals may be so close as to show signs of psychological distress when apart, they are often considered appropriate candidates for the Kienkii Bieggjan ritual.
Modern Practice
The practice of the Kienkii Bieggjan ritual is today nearly as widespread as Kienkii Lhukkjan but is considered a lot more involved and complicated to perform. The main difference between the two is that this ritual is entirely devoid of expectation resulting in offspring, and the only deciding factors whether two individuals are suitable to go through it is if they fulfil the requirements and have shown a strong, mutual affection for each other.
Observance
Participants
Differently from the Kienkii Lhukkjan, this ritual involves not only the couple-to-be but also their respective parents who act as the final decision-makers as to whether or not a Kienkii Bieggjan will be completed.
Preparation
It’s not uncommon for a pair to first have engaged in Kienkii Lhukkjan, and afterward decided they want to continue the relationship past its expected boundary. While it’s acceptable for pairs who’s had no evident prior engagement to initiate the ritual too, a pair that’s shared bed prior are often considered more serious and surer about their desire to permanently bond.
Since there’s no expectations placed on the couple to produce offspring as a result of their bonding, the biological sex of the two is considered entirely irrelevant and only the weight of their feelings for each other is of importance.
Execution
Usually, the first step is for either party to confess their desire to mate for life to the other and confirm that the desire is mutual. Afterward they will approach their parents, typically the elders of their tribe, and announce wanting to go through the Kienkii Bieggjan with their chosen mate. This involves also expressly telling whether or not they’d be ready to abandon their tribe in order to live with their mate-to-be.
After the pair has announced their wish to their parents, the parents of both will meet up to discuss together their children’s relationship and prospective future together.
Whether either of them said they’re willing to part with their tribe to live with the other is often the first thing brought up. Have neither said they are, it tends to be swiftly agreed by all parents they’re not ready and will be denied going through with the ritual. However, both individuals having expressed being ready to leave their tribe to live with the other will often lead to both parents viewing their relationship in a more favorable light.
Proof of Affection
Even if both tribe’s parents may agree early on that their respective child is serious in their desire to form a lasting bond, its very rare for the ritual to be concluded during the same tribal meetup it was initiated.
Instead, the pair may have to prove that their relationship is lasting and affection to each other so strong they desire no one else. This typically involves abstaining from engaging in sexual relationships with others, only accepting invitations to Kienkii Lhukkjan from each other, and showing signs of psychological distress while apart.
It can take several seasons and tribal meetups for the ritual to finish.
Conclusion
The ritual isn’t considered concluded until all the parents of both individuals are in full agreement that their bond is strong enough that their relationship will last the of their lives. Or, in full agreement that they aren’t suited for each other, and the ritual shouldn’t be continued. The decision is final, and the same pair aren’t allowed to initiate it a second time at a later point in their lives.
Should it be decided that the pair may bond together, it will be announced to all members of both tribes the same day. However, the pair will remain with their tribe until the next meet up.
The next time they cross paths, the tribes will have prepared for a ceremony that’ll conclude the Kienkii Bieggjan and marks the point where the pair may now permanently live together.
During this ceremony the pair’s parents will also announce which of the two will be adopted over to their life mate’s tribe. It’s very common for the ceremony to include the customary adoption rites to make their move over to their new family and life official.
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