Akuanism: Difference between revisions
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| label1 = | label2 = Belief | data2 = [[wikipedia:pantheism|Pantheism]] ; [[wikipedia:animism|Animism]]
| label3 = Deity | data3 =
| label4 = Region(s) | data4 =
| label5 = | data5 =
| label6 = Founded | data6 =
| label7 = Origin | data7 = Old Borean Cultural Traditions; Syncretism with other religions and/or cultures
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| label9 = Followers | data9 =
| label10 = Denominations | data10 =
}}'''Akuanism''' is an ethnic-religion and sometimes referred to as a collection of cultures or ethnicities that have roots. It has been some measure of difficulty to classify what is and isn’t Akuanism outside of vague generalities. As beliefs of Akuanism is more of concepts and is heavily interpreted differently by various forms, ethnicities, nationalities, regions and any other manner of differences. Another difficulty of categorizing is the ambivalence centralization nature of it, sometimes being centralized and sometimes being deeply de-centralized nature. Akuanism can be both centralized and decentralized in nature. Overall, there is no overall central authority on Akuanism, and defining concepts of Akuanism itself is heavily argued in Akuan society. Despite the massive difference, such as in [[Nys'tat'en|Nys’tat’en]] form, beliefs, stories and their interpretation, and even the structure of form of worship of Akuanism. As a general rule, Akuanists say all forms of Akuanism is valid except for [[Akuan Socialism]], which mainstream Akuanism states that Akuan Socialism cannot be Akuanism for breaking what is generally accepted as core concepts of Akuanism.
Akuanism is as a religion which originated in [[Borea]] and spread throughout the [[Rotantic Ocean]] and parts around the [[Urth]] through the slave trade, merchant ports and Akuan settlements. Theological scholars of Akuanism sometimes call its practitioners Akuanist, a misnomer drawing from an aspect that most non-Akuanists interact with them being explorers, sailors or merchants who seek blessing from Akua during their travels in the sea. Adherents rarely use that term themselves when discussing matters with other Akuanists, instead preferring to call themselves followers of the ''Shu'', the word for religion in [[Nys'tat'en|Nys’tat’en]]. Controversially Shu is only used when to say they are Akuanist or Akuanism as a whole but when referring to [[Akuan Democracy]] or other other forms describing what is or is Akuan in nature or form outside of religious dialogue.
There is no central authority in control of Akuanism and much diversity exists among practitioners at least in a religious sense. Though [[Novaris]] Akuanism is the exception to the rule of being somewhat centralized to a degree and [[Akuan Democracy]] in some of its forms displays degrees of centralization but unlike Novaris form of Akuanism doesn’t not promote a religious head. [[Novaris]] Akuanism, due to [[Aikthudr'zhur|Aikkian]] monarchy and the Enshrined Spirit holds heavy sway over the form of Akuanism within the continent but is only considered to be highly respected outside of Novaris.
Akuanists both as a religion and as a cultures/ethnicities, has been called by some scholars as "''The most open insular peoples on Urth''." Akuanism being generally, extremely openness, acceptance and happiness however still congregating into [[Akuan District|Akuan Districts]]. According to most political surveys, Akuanists tend to avoid large scale protests or civil disobedience after the [[Great War]] when in non-majority Akuan countries and tend to vote center-left parties when Akuan democracy parties are not available. The exception to this rule being [[Ulvriktru Democrats]] in [[Norgsveldet]]. Technically, only requirement to join Akuanism faith, is to learn [[Nys'tat'en|Nys’tat’en]] and follow the interpretations of the local Akuanism form however, because of how different the Akuanist mindset is compared to more mainstream faiths and unspoken rules about the faith. Akuanism is incredibly difficult to convert into.
Akuanism, outside of the [[Akuan Democracy|Akuan Republics]] and [[Novaris]] Akuanism, has no official doctrine and relies heavily on local Brewmasters to inform or tell stories of relation to the faith. Often the stories or folklore are adapted from native folklore or faith in the form of syncretism both culturally and religiously. Always taking the new lore, through Akuan lenses and interpretation. Novaris Akuanism, due to its unique development and history, has a more unified doctrine compared to other regions of the world. Including being the only region where Akuanism is found that has a unified holy text, quasi unified holidays across the region and various other similarities. Meanwhile [[Akuan Democracy|Akuan Republics]] create a uniformed dialogue, mostly shared holiday and traditions, primarily driven by the elected Brewmasters of the faith to create a shared form of Akuanism across the state.
<big><u>'''''EVERYTHING BELOW THIS IS CURRENTLY BEING REWORKED'''''</u></big>
== Beliefs ==
=== Different Classifications of Deities ===
=== Vodkaniate ===
Vodkaniate, is considered to be the "major" or "significant" deities apart of Akuanism. While this doesn't mean they are the most powerful or strongest deity, it does mean it plays a core part of Akuanism religion and into the daily life of cultists.
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'''Akua''' is considered to be above all other spirits and consider to be the primary goddess that protects sapient life. The goddess is known to be extremely petty to those who attempt to take attention away from her in her "holy" places. As a result, it's considered to be deep insult to say names of other Vodkaniate (but not Brandisen) in her shrine. Usually resulting in being cursed with bad luck until one performs the necessary cleansing ritual. While she's the creator of life for the Urthians, almost uniformly in all (early) myths where she was called mother. She reacts negatively, often pointing at Freyrmama as a more suitable "mother" figure for children. As a result, majority of creation myths or stories about motherhood often cite both Akua and Freyrmama as mother to the Urthians. With several stories of creating making use both Freyrmama and Akua as joint creators as a married couple.
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'''Freyrmama''' is a goddess in Akuanist belief she is the "Urth Mother" and a fertility goddess who presides over planting and harvesting, embodies the mountain range in the Yasteria peninsula. She is also an ever-present and independent deity from Akua and Borean spirits. She known to cause Urthquakes when proper respects are not given toward her shrines or when enough water haven't been sacrificed to her. In Akuan stories she's often seen as a caring, loving friend to Akua who allows her rest in her domain during the Goddess travels around the Urth.
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'''Yunyøn''', is another important goddess, being the deity in charge of dawn and close-friendship. She while considered to be more shy in terms of the rest of deities, as the deity of close friendships. She blesses and protects close friendships or best friends, her providing her favor to long lasting relationships.
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'''Brandisen''' are the most plentiful of spirits and represent everything from forests, folk heroes, animals, rituals and everything in between.
'''''Spirits''''' are anything to-do with supernatural creatures or phenomena that are venerated in Akuanism. Spirits can be elements of a landscape, forces of nature, and supernatural creatures. It's also widely considered that if a person has done a great enough deed they can become a spirit known as a ''Saint''. ▼
===== '''Spirits''' =====
▲
In Akuanist Tradition, spirits are not separate from nature, but are apart of nature itself, with each spirit with its own good and evil characteristics.
==== Ny-Gin-Stol ====
'''Ny-Gin-Stol''' are the deities that whose physical and metaphysical bodies make up the landmasses of Urth. While often Ny-Gin-Stol overlaps with Vodkaniate or Brandisen, they difference is usually depends how the Akuanists view the land and it's stories. More than often, volcanos, caves, mountains and islands are considered to be Ny-Gin-Stol, with the exception of Fyllikenkrasjlander which due to her significance is considered to be a Vodkaniate. Large land masses, such as continents are broken up into several dozen spirits of Ny-Gin-Stol.
=== Concepts ===
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Cult of Akua has deep sentiments maintaining a warm welcoming cultural and a peaceful co-existent with all sapient things.
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Pacifism, or more referred to in traditional Akuan sense of "Non-Violence" as pacifism in the Akuan context means not just pacifism to sapients but being peaceful to one community, environment and in all matter of life. The goal of pacifism being to minimize harm in all forms of life be it animal, plants and sapients. Pacifism taking such a important role in Akuanism, it reflects heavily in daily life of a follower with dietary requirements, how one conducts themselves,
==== Animalism ====
=== '''''Taverns/Community Centers''''' ===▼
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== Practice ==
=== Shrines ===
==== Foci ====
===
===
In Akuan customs, a [Nys'tat'en word] is a talisman made out of various materials such as paper, wood, cloth or metal. They're commonly found in Akuanist temples and are considered to be imbued with the power of the spirits or saints.
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==== After death ====
The funeral practice for Akuanists begin immediately after death of a (or a few days before the expected death), relatives to the moisten the dying or deceased person's lips with ale or small beer, an practice known as
The relatives and authorities are informed, and a death certificate is issued by the regional government. Funeral arrangements are typically made by the eldest child and are begun by contacting the local brewmaster to schedule the event. Some days are more auspicious than others, based on the Vaaran calendar and the lunar cycle. For a example midwinter and a full moon is considered to be a excellent day for a wedding and awful day for a funeral, as the spirits of harmony can carry the couples wishes to the heavens but blind the spirits to carry the dead. However if it's midwinter but with a no moon, is a good day for a funeral but a bad day for a wedding, as the spirits of the dead that hide from the moon's light can carry the deceased towards the sky without being blinded.
The body is washed thoroughly and the orifices are blocked with either cotton, gauze or cork. Then the next part of the ritual takes place, where a professional burial maiden (
==== Wake ====
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==== Creation of a Living Shrine ====
The act of moving a spirit into a living host, is by all means the highest honor any Akuanist could ever received and is only done in very, very rare situations. From a outsider perspective it can be considered to be a similar to monarchy in terms of authority and in terms of handing down the spirit. As once a spirit is moved into a living host, it cannot be removed until death and it can only ever be enshrinement in a direct family member again. It can only be enshrined into a direct family member due the familiar energy of the family. As such Akuanists are extremely careful about enshrining a person with a spirit. As such there are only two people on all of [[Urth]] who have received such a honor, [[Ingrid the Reclaimer]] and Esta the Protector of [[Lapliszna]].
===== Living Shrine Titles =====
The act of enshrinement leads to giving a title traditionally held by the spirit before hand. For a example being [[Ingrid the Reclaimer]] title, taking the spirit Fyllikenkrasjlander (Spirit of Borea) as her enshrinement. Traditionally Fyllikenkrasjlander has been seen as the spirit who directly influence and controls Borea's health and wellbeing. However due to the common belief among Akuanists across the Urth that ever since the colonialization of [[Nystatiszna]] and the later authoritative governments, that the spirit has been getting sickly. As a result, events such as the [[2021 Aduraszna quake and tsunami|Tsunami in 2021]], hotspots of Borean Ice Fever and famine are common place on Borea. As such, giving Ingrid the title "Reclaimer" was chosen, as Nystatinne Akuanists believed she would fix the sickly state of the spirit. Akuanists worldwide, are more skeptical, giving such a important spirit to someone who not only recently converted but the spirit is such a level of importance into enshrinement.
==Holidays==
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#Helligsti– the approach to the shrine
#Bønnebrett – Small building reserved for placing of prayer sheets.
#Lanterne – Used for burning malformed prayers and wards.
# Kontor – Shrine's administrative office and storage.
#Helligdomstempel– Where the brewing liquor and food is prepared then handed out to followers. Acts as the worship building for Akua and only her name is allowed to be stated within these halls.
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#Vøktere – Guardians of the shrine, usually statues of dogs or guards.
#Husavann– A large building reserved for rituals and special dances. Off-limits to the public outside of those occasions
# Gjerde – fence surrounding the
#Åndehus – main hall, enshrining a major spirit of the area. It's forbidden to bring up Akua name in these places, due to her petty nature. Off limits to the public and reserved for
==History==
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When Ulvriktru was introduced from viking traders from [[Eyjaria|Eyjarian]] in the early 700s AD. Early Akuanist scholars theorized that both religions are true and the gods referenced by Akua are the same ones the Ulvriktru worship. They theorizing that where Akua was more involved in Borea, the gods referred in the Ulvriktru hold domain else where. It should be noted, that these early theologians never traveled to Concord and thus never visited a real Ulvriktru temple. Relaying on stories brought by merchants and traveling priests to help fill the narrative they was trying to understand. The regionalized and highly diverse nature of Akuanism interacted in several ways.
Shrines (non-Akuan) along the southern western coast included religious imagery of Ulvriktru origin. Example including
Shines (both Akua and non-Akuan) make use of extensive use of Ulvriktru symbolism.
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===Evolution===
Evolution for the like of a better word is considered to be a form of light heresy or a deliberate insult to a Akuanists belief system. Many cultists firmly believe in the many stories about Akua's creation of the first Urthians, often citing the similar story.
===Vaccines ===
Much discussion in the late 1990s' by the brewmasters and scholar with many of them taking harsh lines on either side of the debate citing several stories at each other. A consensus was finally reached after brewmaster of Melkvernby
=== Big Bang ===
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