Michael Morris
First Post
The beginning of life holds high significance to nearly all societies and the Telzoans are no exception to this rule. There are three ceremonies associated with birth as follows: Asiana, Madriana, and Nosiana.
[h2]Asiana[/h2]
The first ceremony formally recognizes and celebrates the pregnancy. It is a private ceremony that is held at home with only close friends of the family invited unless the parents to be are high ranking nobles, in which case the event is occasion to throw a large celebration, especially if the pregnancy is the first for the marriage. The involvement of a priest in this ceremony is limited to a blessing on the expectant mother, and this act may be carried out at a temple if the priest cannot (or more likely will not) go to the home of the expectant parents. The first Asiana also finalizes the consummation of the marriage bed.
The only act of special significance carried out in these quiet ceremonies is the choosing of the Anglecani, or "Angel Parents." This individual(s) will serve as the step-parents of the child should death claim the blood parents at some point in the child's life. Also it is traditional that a male noble child serve his squire training under his Anglecani should that person be competent and able to provide such training when the time comes. This high honor also has political repercussions in the case of royal children. Should the King and Queen die before the child is of age to take the throne it is the Anglecani who serves as the Regent to the throne.
Given these facts it's not surprising that an Asiana is an elaborate affair for the nobility, but then again, aren't all things elaborate when the rich and powerful become involved. For the poor the Asiana may only involve the nuclear family but otherwise carry on without to much hoopla. Only the first or Asiana Primera receive special attention among the poor and there a couple of reasons for this. For the father the event marks the assurance that his bloodline will continue in some form, although total assurance won't be had until the child is proven to be male. For the mother the event marks the fulfillment of her womanhood. With this event she becomes the equal of her own mother in a sense, and for this reason the Asiana is a female dominated celebration where the actual ceremony takes place.
The ceremony, whether at home or in temple, occurs along these lines. The couple stand before either the altar (in temple) or the hearth (at home) with the priest before them. He blesses them both, then a second bless is set upon the mother. Next the parents offer the Anglecan to the individual they have chosen for the task, and that individual accepts before the priest and swears to protect both the parents and the child. At this point the formalities are concluded and what occurs next is largely an issue of personal taste. As a general rule though the parents ironically separate to be with their sexual peers - that is the men congratulate the father in one room while the women congratulate the mother in another. Feasting may be (and often is) thrown into this mix, but on the whole the evening is segregated as a rule.
[h2]Madriana[/h2]
Essentially a Telzoan baby shower, this private occasion is held at about the middle of the third trimester. A friend of the mother to be or the Anglecani arranges it if that person is a she. Men do not take part in this ceremony for the most part, nor are any priests involved. Her friends give gifts to the mother and they spend part of the evening praying for a safe birth for both mother and child. In some areas the Madriana is not practiced at all, and in others it is a more elaborate affair with the whole village involved.
[h2]Nosiana[/h2]
In a sense this ceremony begins with the rigors of birth itself. Once the birth is complete the child is "set before the eyes of Tean" which is to say he or she is presented to the suns, then the true name of the child is called out.
Within the next ten days the ceremony of the Nosiana is performed. The child is brought to a temple of Aurnon and there presents the child before three priests - one of Cuvanill, one of Tean and one of Matacha. The mother kneels on her right knee3 and calls out to the priest, "The one who speaks for the Mother of Mothers speak, for I seek her guidance."
The reply she receives is "I am here child. Cuvanill guides you."
Her next line is "The one who speaks for the Ever-watching Father speak, for I seek his protection."
And the reply, "I am here child, Tean protects you."
The two priests receive the child and place it upon the altar. The child is blessed by each priest which involves marking the forehead in ash powder and sprinkling holy water upon the child. As this is done the parents speak the true name of the child when prompted. Then the presiding priest of Matacha adds what is arguably the most ominous part of the ceremony, "Mother, speak the name of your child that all may know, that I may record it herein in this the Roll of Names."
The elaborate reply is, "I call (him/her) (name), and may Oralea bless (him/her) with many years before (his/her) name is recorded again thereupon."
Now it should be noted that what transpires above is the consistent core of the ceremony. Other areas add their own distinctive touches, as do individual families. A royal Nosiana is a full day affair, while the poor may barely afford the cost to go to temple. Regardless of the amount of pomp and circumstance actually afforded the occasion though, it is an important one in the lives of all people - it is the beginning.
[h2]Asiana[/h2]
The first ceremony formally recognizes and celebrates the pregnancy. It is a private ceremony that is held at home with only close friends of the family invited unless the parents to be are high ranking nobles, in which case the event is occasion to throw a large celebration, especially if the pregnancy is the first for the marriage. The involvement of a priest in this ceremony is limited to a blessing on the expectant mother, and this act may be carried out at a temple if the priest cannot (or more likely will not) go to the home of the expectant parents. The first Asiana also finalizes the consummation of the marriage bed.
The only act of special significance carried out in these quiet ceremonies is the choosing of the Anglecani, or "Angel Parents." This individual(s) will serve as the step-parents of the child should death claim the blood parents at some point in the child's life. Also it is traditional that a male noble child serve his squire training under his Anglecani should that person be competent and able to provide such training when the time comes. This high honor also has political repercussions in the case of royal children. Should the King and Queen die before the child is of age to take the throne it is the Anglecani who serves as the Regent to the throne.
Given these facts it's not surprising that an Asiana is an elaborate affair for the nobility, but then again, aren't all things elaborate when the rich and powerful become involved. For the poor the Asiana may only involve the nuclear family but otherwise carry on without to much hoopla. Only the first or Asiana Primera receive special attention among the poor and there a couple of reasons for this. For the father the event marks the assurance that his bloodline will continue in some form, although total assurance won't be had until the child is proven to be male. For the mother the event marks the fulfillment of her womanhood. With this event she becomes the equal of her own mother in a sense, and for this reason the Asiana is a female dominated celebration where the actual ceremony takes place.
The ceremony, whether at home or in temple, occurs along these lines. The couple stand before either the altar (in temple) or the hearth (at home) with the priest before them. He blesses them both, then a second bless is set upon the mother. Next the parents offer the Anglecan to the individual they have chosen for the task, and that individual accepts before the priest and swears to protect both the parents and the child. At this point the formalities are concluded and what occurs next is largely an issue of personal taste. As a general rule though the parents ironically separate to be with their sexual peers - that is the men congratulate the father in one room while the women congratulate the mother in another. Feasting may be (and often is) thrown into this mix, but on the whole the evening is segregated as a rule.
[h2]Madriana[/h2]
Essentially a Telzoan baby shower, this private occasion is held at about the middle of the third trimester. A friend of the mother to be or the Anglecani arranges it if that person is a she. Men do not take part in this ceremony for the most part, nor are any priests involved. Her friends give gifts to the mother and they spend part of the evening praying for a safe birth for both mother and child. In some areas the Madriana is not practiced at all, and in others it is a more elaborate affair with the whole village involved.
[h2]Nosiana[/h2]
In a sense this ceremony begins with the rigors of birth itself. Once the birth is complete the child is "set before the eyes of Tean" which is to say he or she is presented to the suns, then the true name of the child is called out.
Within the next ten days the ceremony of the Nosiana is performed. The child is brought to a temple of Aurnon and there presents the child before three priests - one of Cuvanill, one of Tean and one of Matacha. The mother kneels on her right knee3 and calls out to the priest, "The one who speaks for the Mother of Mothers speak, for I seek her guidance."
The reply she receives is "I am here child. Cuvanill guides you."
Her next line is "The one who speaks for the Ever-watching Father speak, for I seek his protection."
And the reply, "I am here child, Tean protects you."
The two priests receive the child and place it upon the altar. The child is blessed by each priest which involves marking the forehead in ash powder and sprinkling holy water upon the child. As this is done the parents speak the true name of the child when prompted. Then the presiding priest of Matacha adds what is arguably the most ominous part of the ceremony, "Mother, speak the name of your child that all may know, that I may record it herein in this the Roll of Names."
The elaborate reply is, "I call (him/her) (name), and may Oralea bless (him/her) with many years before (his/her) name is recorded again thereupon."
Now it should be noted that what transpires above is the consistent core of the ceremony. Other areas add their own distinctive touches, as do individual families. A royal Nosiana is a full day affair, while the poor may barely afford the cost to go to temple. Regardless of the amount of pomp and circumstance actually afforded the occasion though, it is an important one in the lives of all people - it is the beginning.
