Bonduin Religion

From FiranMUX

The Bonduin religion has three deities to it. There is Doya, Ulashanai, and Ithadu. They are equivalent to the Firan Soli, Drik, and Srenna. The religion is polytheistic and all three deities are believed to be real.

This religion, if looked at on the surface, is a great deal like that of the Firan worship of Soli, Drik and Srenna. When looked at deeper, they are quite different from those "root" religions as can be imagined. All three deities have a following, even Ulashanai, although it is not looked down upon, as it is a respected aspect of life and death.

Deaths

Deaths are attended by Doya or Ithadu priests and priestesses, as well as by Ulashanai priests and priestesses. The Ulashanai priests and priestesses pray that the dying person's soul is found unacceptable and not wanted by Ulashanai. If possible, people who are friends with the dying person come to say their last goodbyes to the person and offer their own silent prayers to their deity for that persons acceptance into Doya's or Ithadu's realm.

Marriage

Marriages are happy occasions in which the couple gets blessings from all three Orders. Doya priestesses will often specially bless the wife in an effort to make sure any future pregnancies and children are protected by the goddess in the course of her life. Ithadu priests and priestesses will bless the husband, usually for him to be able to protect his wife and family properly. Ulashanai priests and priestesses will offer prayers that the time for the death of the couple will be long in the coming and that Ulashanai will find no cause to want their souls before it is time for them to die. Friends and family, and even strangers, are invited to weddings, and food is brought by everyone attending. Gifts tend to be those things that the couple can use in their new life together. It is considered a special blessing if a child is born exactly nine months after the marriage.

Funerals

Bonduin funerals consist of, similar to the Firan funerals, the burning of the body and anointing it with water and oils. The body must also be covered in a cloak or formal dress made by, or owned by a child, or a relative, or a close friend or spouse. Doya priestesses usually preside over the ceremony, unless the person in question is an Ithadu worshipper. Ulashanai priests and priestesses are also there, offering up prayers to their god to leave the soul to Ithadu or Doya. Nearly everyone who knew the person, either only by acquaintance or closer, attends the funeral, which his held outside in the open for the soul to be freed fully from the bonds of its old life.

Births

Births are attended by only Doya priestesses, although if the birth is difficult, then Ulashanai priests come to pray for Ulashanai to leave the child and mother here, and not to claim them. After the child is born, visits are made by all the mothers family and friends, and gifts are given to each and every child the woman has. It can be anything from a toy, to something more expensive. The children are named, usually under the guidance of Doya, but if both parents are Ithadu worshippers, then under the guidance of Ithadu, seven days after birth. If a child dies before the seven days is up, it is thought that Ulashanai has deemed the soul not worthy of rebirth and has claimed it.