Religions of Teppala

The religious beliefs of the people of Teppala are fairly similar from place to place, despite civilizations at endpoints of the planet being separated by more than 50000 years. Most people on Teppala belong to one of the Gold religions, which were created from a fusion of the native Repilian beliefs with those of immigrants from the islands of Laba. These two religious complexes were themselves very similar despite having diverged nearly 30000 years ago.

Believers in the Ridiamic religions (also called Ridia) are positive polytheists. They believe in the same gods, and that those gods cooperate with each other. Thus, wars are not fought in the name of a deity, even when two human cultures have chosen to devote themselves to two different gods, because each acknowledges that the other's main deity is real.

Overview

Lack of sin

Ridian religions could be said to have a childlike moral outlook with no concept of sin. All that brings happiness is good. Since the gods are omnipotent and invincible, no human deeds will ever bring harm or benefit to the gods, and humans' only responsibility is to each other, whereby they are free to make their own laws.

Instead of a list of sins to avoid, Ridians learn a list of ways to protect themselves and their family members from evil spirits and the dangers of the natural world, while maintaining spiritual purity and winning the protection of the savior, #Malamen.

Afterlife

All Ridian religions believe in an eternal afterlife, with either eternal absolute bliss or eternal absolute punishment for all humans and animals.

Salvation

With salvation, one is granted eternal happiness. All who are saved are equal; everyone is at the top, in the state of maximum possible bliss. The path to salvation is not to avoid sin, or even to do good deeds, but to maintain spiritual purity, and win the favor of the savior, #Malamen.

Damnation

The Ridian equivalent of Hell is served out on earth in a state of hereditary slavery. Disowned by the savior #Malamen, these people and their children are only allowed to worship #Yuni and #Kwatena, who may at times provide temporary relief from their torment but will not free them from slavery.

Blasphemy and spiritual disguise

The spirit of #Malamen guides believers during prayer and daily life, and those who commit acts of blasphemy, such as mispronouncing a word during prayer, are revealed as spiritual impostors and therefore unable to receive salvation. Their punishment, like others who are damned, is slavery to be served out immediately on earth.

An attempt to avoid a situation in which one may be prone to blasphemy is considered spiritual disguise, and this also is seen as a sign of a damned soul. A priest who refuses to lead a prayer is therefore ejected from the community and may be enslaved.

Malice

Crimes of property damage, where a human being is harmed without benefiting the perpetrator, are sometimes said to be committed in the name of #Kolagas, and therefore equated with or likened to blasphemy. This varies from priest to priest.

Reincarnation

All Ridian religions believe in reincarnation, and that the same soul is at any given time reincarnated in multiple bodies. Ghosts are spirits seen in bare form; however there is no connection between death of a body and a ghost because that person's spirit is already incarnated in another body.

There is no distinction between spirit and soul.

Sacrifice

Because favor from the gods cannot be bought, there is no culturally acceptable use of sacrifice. Anyone committing a sacrifice of any kind will be treated as if they had destroyed property belonging to someone else.

Supreme deities

In this list, the names under the Translingual column are taken from different stages of different languages, and thus often match none of the other columns. Note that even within a language, it is common for one deity to have many names. Languages can spread across many religions, and in some cases, practitioners of one religion will prefer a different name for the same deity than other religions speaking the same language.

All supernatural beings are considered gods. The three primary figures are all female, but #Yuni is a god of many forms and can appear as male.

The three goddesses known as Màlamen, Kʷărena, and Yŭni are all omnipotent. But one belief taught early in childhood is that, while Yŭni is all-powerful, Kwărena's powers are even greater than Yuni's, and Màlamen's are even greater still.

Mappamensam

Malamen

Mappamensam is the goddess of pregnancy and childbirth, and is worshipped in all Ridiamic religions. Some religions, such as that of Thaoa, have become monotheistic with Mappa as the supreme being.

Translingual	Tapilula	Gold	Khulls	Proto-Moonshine	Bābākiam	Poswa	Pabappa	Thaoa	Proto-Subumpamese	Old Andanese	Late Andanese	Notes
Malamen		Ṃătʷamṅ	Màlamṅ	Màlamn	Matuamem	Maptamum	Maptamum	Mappamyn		Makămṅ	Makami
Saaha	Fàga-Hà	Sàga	Sàġa	Sàga	Saa	Saba	Saba			Fahà	Haha
Uqeumiya	Uḳĕmba	G̣ʷăda	Gʷăra	Gʷara	Paa					Uqĕmba	Vima
Palli	Mbèyi	Dàyi	Lèyi	Làyi	Tayi	Tale	Tal
Kolafis	Kolămpi(-H-òwo)	Kalăsi(-Hàgʷa)	Kalăsi(-Xàġʷa)	Kalasi(-Hàwa)	Kavasi(-Šauva)	Tarse(-šova)	Waras(-ara)
Qehew	Ḳòho	Ḳas	Ḳas	Kas	Kas					Qòho	Uku
Tlawex	Tʷŏwo	Tʷăga	Lăga	Laga	—	—	—			Kŏwo	Kulu

The names Saaha and Palli are much older than the others, and can be traced back to the Mumba language, where they appeared as Mabasan and Pyahalyi respectively. Thus, the much later Khulls/Moonshine name Pālyi is a reborrowing by scholars who had studied early history. The name Mabasan is not cognate to Mappamensam and its relatives, despite its superficial resemblance; even the m- is not cognate.

The Kolafis name can be extended with the suffix -òwo; this causes the reappearance of the lost -h from the main name.

Note that the names Sàga and Fahà, and their descendants, are reflexes of the full name Fàga-Hà with syncope of the medial vowel.

Only those with a clear mind can pray to Malamen, because she responds immediately to the prayer and only one with a clear mind will hear her and carry on a conversation.

Kʷarĕna

Kwatena

Kʷarĕna is the creator of the universe, and controls the sun, moon, stars, and planets. She is the goddess of abortion, disease, and death; including death in early childhood. She cooperates with Màlamen rather than fighting against her; Màlamen and Kʷarena choose which children will live and which will die. Diseases caused by Kwatena are cancer, death by old age, and other internal diseases; she is not associated with external disease causing agents such as pathogens.

Kwatena is the mother of a class of spirits called the yîna . The yîna have bodies and are invincible and immortal, but not omnipotent ... see #Yîna. They include the sun and moon, and many beings with human names. The yîna have eternal bodies, but female yîna can conceive and bear children with or without the help of a male. They protect humans from various dangers and provide temporary material benefits to those they favor.

Kʷarĕna is worshipped as the supreme deity by a cluster of religions, including the Raspara, which formed around the year 4200 but have few remaining followers. These people do not think of Kʷarĕna as evil, but simply as very difficult to please. They believe that Kwatena is benevolent to all humans, since she created the world and everything in it, but humans' mixed motives create evil and suffering. Natural evil, being part of the life cycle, is not blamed on mixed motives but humans' desire for worldly pleasures. Short term needs are worded in prayers to Kwatena, not Malamen. Kwatena does not give an immediate verbal response. The word for this type of prayer is different from the other.

The Mum- part of the name Mumpuni is likely cognate to the first M- in #Maptamum, not to the final -mum. Note that Enodab and Baeno are the same name.

Translingual	Tapilula	Gold	Khulls	Proto-Moonshine	Bābākiam	Poswa	Pabappa	Thaoa	Proto-Sub.	Old Andanese	Late Andanese	Notes
Kwatena			Kʷătena			Waptena	Waptulna
Mumpuva						Mumpuva	Mumpuni
Enodab		Ainauda	Enōra	Ainə̄ra	Bainava	Baemba	Pamba
Ryrra	Yòya									Yòya	Yuya

Other names\\\\

The #Yina have other names for Enora, such as:

1. nathŅmı
2. Wa
3. E
4. thńna
5. Tama / Tamha / Hama / Hamha
6. A
7. Paka
8. Laa

Akama, Akana, Caa, Capaa, Hacaka, Hahapa, Kacala, Kaha, Kalaa, Kalava, Kikaka, Laka, Mavakala all mean "God" (Enōra ... because those are Enōra's words) ... mavaka is "worship"

Yuni-Yipâwa

Yuni

Yuni is a goddess with the ability to control people's behavior and change her own form. She is often depicted as a small child, even as a boy, but can also take other forms. Associated with the color purple, the rarest color in nature.

Yuni controls the èpa, medical spirits who cure disease. She also controls spirits that cause harm to those who have been rejected by Màlamen. Both of these spirits are invisible and are #free spirits, existing in their bare form, rather than spirits with a body like humans, trees, and other visible creatures.

Worshipping Yuni is the same as worshipping nature as a whole, with the components of nature as her children. One interpretation of tree worship is that the worshippers are worshipping a part of Yuni; another is that they are worshipping the trees' own god, an avatar of #Enora.

Translingual	Tapilula	Gold	Khulls	Proto-Moonshine	Bābākiam	Poswa	Pabappa	Thaoa	Proto-Subumpamese	Old Andanese	Late Andanese	Notes
Yuni			Yŭni	Yuni	Yəni	Lyne	Lun
Yipâwa	Yibĕwo	Yidăgʷa	Yirăgʷa		Īava	Ira	Irra
Ridiato	Yiyàtə	Yiyatə	Yiyĕkʷ	Yiyek	Yiyate	Lilti	Lilti
Rospa	Lĭpa	Lĭpa	Lĭpa	Lipa	Yipa	Ripa	Riba	Lipha		Lĭba	Lipa

Minor named spirits

Yîna

The yîna have limited supernatural powers, but are immortal and invincible. They have limited powers over humans, and can be helpful or harmful. These spirits all worship #Kwatena, and are considered her subjects. They can be called angels.

75% female. Can be pregnant with or without a male. Souls reappear so the number of souls stays the same, and each yina is called by their soul's name, so the number of names also stays the same. Each soul is always separated by at least three generations (including through marriage) before reappearing. Since the angels are immortal, their population is slowly increasing; however, each new angel born inherits the characteristics of their soul, and therefore two angels with the same name behave as one being. The chain of births repeats; thus, for example, #Yulefu always gives birth to #Omyomya.

The yîna are immortal and invincible, but battle amongst each other and can bind and curse each other as well as humans. Some are rebellious against the other angels, including other rebels.

Voiced stops here spell the pharngalized voiceless stops.

Nunepa

Nunepa (Nunĕpa ♀) Coordinates and oversees the actions of the others. Rival of #Kehhi and #Dayi. Associated with mountains, glaciers, and winter weather. Commands supreme authority in politics but usually defers to #Omyomya in battle. Often cooperates with Omyomya, #Yoyaha, and #Hintaya.

Omyomya

Omyomya (Ombòmba ♀) Has a wide variety of supernatural powers and a strong protective role. A winner in battle and powerful in politics, but avoids conflict with other angels. As a confident leader, she lets many other angels follow and imitate her. Omyomya is independently powerful, and often can fend off a crowd of other angels by herself, and then defeat them with an elemental attack. She can create glaciers and small storms, and use the whole sky as a weapon by drawing its energy. Her womb protects others from danger and can provide life to one in need.

Despite her strength, Omyomya prefers to fight as part of a team. She chooses strong targets and is responsible for many victories. On rare occasions, she attacks humans whom other angels refuse to defend.

Omyomya is the daughter of #Yulefu.

Ugiku

Ugiku (Ugə̀ku ♂) A male consort of #Omyomya. Omyomya often speaks for him, as they communicate nonverbally. They also cooperate with elements.

Obedient, yet stubborn and politically powerful when forced into conflict. Often the target of attacks by other angels too weak to attack Omyomya, he is frequently found hiding behind her in battle.

Deyi

Deyi (Deyìga ♀️) Rebellious, but a powerful ally. Associated with chemicals and poisons. Among the most powerful of all angels. Rival of #Nunepa and #Kehhi.

Capable of nonverbal persuasion and the creation of charms and other magical objects; Dayi created the knife that #Omyomya used to attack #Ugiku.

Known for creating large natural phenomena independently and for wrecking battleships.

Her name is not cognate to Malamen's Dàyi.

Ganiguta

Ganiguta (Ganigùta ♀) Associated with abortion. Does not give birth.

Known for seeking out conflicts, Ganiguta often fights battles alone against a crowd, and yet emerges victorious. She knows the strengths and weaknesses of other angels and the proper way to fight. She is immune to poison and many binding spells and often attacks angels whose strengths she can easily ignore. She prefers female angels, and will rarely talk to males.

Associated with mountains and windy weather; sometimes also with cold. Organizes multiparty attacks on other angels. Capable of controlling the elements and launching natural disasters. Also known as Găyo.

Bebufo

Bebufo (Bebùhʷo ♂) Often appears in disguise. Obedient and loyal, but shies from conflict and is of little benefit in battle. Often interacts with humans.

Hintaya

Hintaya (Hihanàya ♀) Depicted with red hair. Has conflicting emotions: likes violence, but afraid to start fights for fear of defeat. Outgoing and sociable, but timid and prefers to follow a leader, usually #Omyomya or #Nunepa. When alone, Hintaya becomes stubborn and ignores advice from most other angels. Seeks allies in conflicts, and remains loyal to those protectors in future conflicts. Commonly follows #Yoyaha. Capable of weak elemental storms.

Yoyaha

Yoyaha (Yoyàha ♀) Associated with war. Does not like disguises. Depicted with dark hair. Commonly seen with #Hintaya.

Uki

Uki (Ùḳi ♀ ) Depicted as tall. Outgoing; rarely seen alone. Temperamental; easily angered but quick to forgive.

Vaha

Vaha (Wohàkạ ♀ ) Shy. Very powerful. Twin sister of Uki. Associated with cold water and floods.

Kigaba

Kigaba (Kigăba ♀ ) Associated with weather; very powerful, often seen in battle. Not involved in personal relations or politics.

Kigaba, #Vaha, #Omyomya, and #Nunepa all work together to create winter storms.

Myhuta

Myhuta ( Muhihùta ♂) Depicted with dark hair; intelligent, often seeing and solving problems ahead of time. Prefers to let others speak for him; often surrounded by a dozen female angels, of which just one acts on his behalf.

Gynagi

Gynagi (Gənàgi ♀) Rebellious, energetic, and very strong; likes to play games and follow others around. Outgoing and widely recognized. Usually found on the winning side in battle, often at the front line. Depicted with curly hair.

Petono

Petono (Petʷŏno ♀) Depicted with very feminine features. Usually seen with other females, rarely with males.

Gypis

Gypis (Gəpìha ♀) Rebellious; depicted with dark hair. Often seen following others around.

Goma

Goma (Gòma ♀) Often likened to a tiger; associated with summer weather.

Taha

Taha (Tăha ♂) Associated with summer weather, particularly humid weather. Creative and smart; fond of art and decoration, both his and others'. Rebellious by nature, but loyal to those who have fought on his side.

Taha can magnify the powers of other angels, and is entirely resistant to binding spells. He can rescue allies, protect himself, and defeat an enemy all at once by reflecting a binding spell back at the spellcaster.

Kehhi

Kehhi (Kèhi ♀️) Known for provoking fights amongst others, with or without her own participation. Rival of #Nunepa and #Dayi.

Skilled with binding spells and disguise. Often communicates with humans.

Bagito

Bagito (Mbagĭtʷo ♀) Associated with peace and intimate relations, known for acting independently. Often depicted suspicious and hostile, but ready for battle.

Moto

Moto (Mŭtu ♀) Associated with peace and intimate relations. Often communicates with #Malamen.

Kolagas

Kolagas (Kùtʷe-Gàha ♂) Rebellious; associated with pain and disease. Known for attacking humans, particularly those already under stress from the natural world.

Puspa

Puspa (Pùhapo) ♂ Rebellious; often starts fights with both male and female angels, both rebellious and loyal. Puspa himself claims no alliance with any other angel.

Prefers to attack strong targets; never harms humans even indirectly.

Adabawa

Adabawa (Ǝdəbàwa ♂) Interacts primarily with #Yuni, not Enōra.

Yobogu

Yobogu (Yo-bʷ-ŏgu ♀) Known as the light of the eye of Enōra; the focus of other angels' attention and that of humans. Among the most powerful of all angels, and also the best known.

Ukundu

Ukundu (Ùḳ-ṅlu ♀) <--- Depicted sad, weeping.

Helegi

Helegi (Helĕgi ♀ ) Depicted sad, hopeless; often posed with males.

Toha

Toha (Tòha ♀) Depicted crying ("despite being #1").

Noklau

Noklau (Naḳulàlə ♀) Depicted crying or reading sadly.

Nihamunda

Nihamenda (Nihamṅda ♀) Known for mood swings; can be on fire with happiness and quickly become angry. Depicted with dark hair.

Hihupa

Hihupa (Hihigùpa ♀) On fire; jumping with joy.

Yulefu

Yulefu (Yŭlehʷu ♀) Often depicted pregnant; mother of Omyomya. Typically the largest statue when many are represented in one area.

Hulah

Hulah (Hùla ♀) Shy; often depicted pregnant.

Ukikaki

Ukikaki (Uḳikàḳi ♀) pregnant/angry

Nani

Nani (Nàni ♀) Pregnant.

Afa

Afa (Àhʷa ♀) Poswa Somany, but an exonym ... pregnant?)

Yonugi

Yonugi (Yonùgi ♀ ) the same root as the placename Namma; mother of several female angels; often depicted as pregnant.

Gaduga

Gaduga (Gadŭga ♀) Depicted heavily pregnant; mother of #Gynagi and of rebellious male angels who fought each other in their cradle.

Ona

Ona (Òŋa ♀) same as the name of the planet; sometimes depicted as pregnant. However, her motherhood is metaphorical, as she is known primarily for her role as a caretaker and shaper of minds.

Magani

Magani (Magăni ♀ )

Mendani

Mendani (Mṅgăni ♀ ) note that /ṅg/ might be [nd]

Gani

Gani (Găni ♀) Has a calm demeanor.

Mensagu

Mensagu (Mṅ-h-ăgu ♀) Seen with many others; often depicted "in awe".

Omalepa

Omalepa (Womalĕpa ♀ ) Depicted with a skirt; also known as Aweman. Typifies and exaggerates feminine traits while retaining her distinct personality; avoids battles with potential rivals.

Fehaki

Fehaki (Mpehàḳi ♀) A loyal figure also known as Telō. Intelligent and wise, often gives advice to others.

Munninu

Munninu (Mṅ-i-nù ♀) Associated with sports, fitness, and good health; also Mṅdŭga

Banala

Banala (Mbanăla ♀) Loves with open arms, and takes the blame for others' crimes. Depicted with very feminine features.

Potikil

Potikil (Pʷŏtiḳìla ♀) Associated with the ocean; depicted wearing a bikini or bathing suit.

Namen

Namen (Namṅ ♀) ... Happy, kind; often depicted raising both hands.

Dobagi

Dobagi (Dʷobàgə ♂) A loud, friendly figure often the center of attention. Playful and usually surrounded by female angels.

Nihabagi

Nihabagi (Niha-bàgə ♂ ) Knowledgable but unable to give good advice; also known as Halalpam. Friendly with #Yuni.

Fige

Fige (Hʷìge ♀) A female figure who oversees some others but avoids battle and has never challenged Omyomya.

Aloto

Aloto (Alo-tʷò ♂) A playful figure.

Ukimen

Ukimen (Ùḳi-mṅ♀ ) (2) <--- there may be 2 angels with this name; if not, the other is Uḳipàlu

Neyukiti

Neyukiti (Ney-ùḳi-ti ♀) cf Ukipalu "stargazer"

Menuki

Menuki (Mṅùḳi ♀) associated with severe pain; not related to Ukimn

Yiti

Yiti (Yiti ♀) Depicted as very large; associated with severe pain

Tamepowo

Tamepowo (Tàme-pòwo ♀) Depicted with very large statues. A dominating figure who commands attention and respect from other angels.

Palu

Palu (Pàlu ♀) "moon"; Pabappa adds Pam-; also pàlu can swap for -ti-, -ci-

Ganeya

Ganeya (Ganĕya ♂) Ally and close companion of #Hehi; historically known as Haneram.

Yifadahi

Yifadahi (Yihʷədăhi ♀)

Mendu

Mendu (Mṅlu ♀) Always helpful in trying times, even to her enemies.

Nofo

Nofo (Nòhʷo ♀ ) A hard worker, "Tenti"

Peyo

Peyo ( Pĕo ♀) Peyo has a youthful demeanor and is often impulsive.

Neyale

Neyale (Neyale ♀) Depicted eating a poison and suffering no harm.

Kagas

Kagas (Wùda-Ḳagàhə ♀) Depicted drinking.

Hehi

Hehi (Hèhi ♀) Often appears with animals. Generous, kind, and always willing to help out. Known for simple-minded loyalty to her allies and openness to friendship with her rivals.

Nuhati

Nuhati (Nùhati ♀ ) Close friend of #Ganeya and #Hehi; avoids conflict, always mindful of others' needs.

Dyhe

Dyhe (Dʷĭhe ♀) Depicted with a wide, mischievous smile. Capable and willing to harm humans who get in her way.

Hanu

Hanu (Hănʷe ♀ "Slope") Known for impulsive behavior and betrayal of her allies, Hanu is nevertheless well-liked by some other angels. Has a history of conflict with #Omyomya.

Muta

Muta (Mùta ♀)

Byhys

Byhys (Mbəhùhi / ♂) <--- male rebel, depicted jumping

Table of names

Translingual	Tapilula	Gold	Khulls	Proto-Moonshine	Bābākiam	Poswa	Pabappa	Old Andanese	Late Andanese	Notes
Yipâwa	Yibĕwo	Yidăgʷa	Yirăgʷa		Īava	Ira	Irra
Ridiato	Yiyàtə	Yiyatə	Yiyĕkʷ	Yiyek	Yiyate	Lilti	Lilti
Rospa	Lĭpa	Lĭpa	Lĭpa	Lipa	Yipa	Ripa	Riba	Lĭba	Lipa

Group III

1. hohƸmasahƐ / hohƸmawŘsahƐ ♀
2. kİi ♀
3. lƃlu ♀

Group IV

Endofi, dofuamo, nemran, manelam

other infgpo

uuhau "nymph" = "strip (clothes)"

1. əpṁhùḳa ♂ / Hamabib, a hedgehog. Not all of the angels are human, and animals all have names too. However, humans mostly interface with the angels that are in human form.

Other spirits

Animal spirits

Each species of animal has their own gods; it is up to theologians and philosophers to decide whether these gods are separate entities or avatars of the three human gods Yuni, Enora, and Malamen. Trees and other plants also have gods, as does every soul, including free spirits (see below). Humans do not have names for these gods.

Free spirits

Free spirits lack bodies and supernatural powers, and are neither worshipped nor given names. All are under the control of #Yuni and may be considered as her counterpart to the #Yîna of Kwatena. The designation as free is to show that they appear in bare form, not to imply they are in a superior state to humans or angels. Since Yuni can take any form, she often appears with the free spirits, but she controls the spirits rather than embodying them.

Free spirits have natural powers rather than supernatural, and are amoral, capable of good and evil but prefering neither.

Because they have only natural powers, they cannot harm a believer's soul, and Malamen's worshippers are said to be immune to the attacks of the spirits, apart from those believers in the kuma state (disgrace). While Malamen will not protect her believers from disease, a disease will typically have a shorter and less painful course in a believer than in one who is in disgrace or has been rejected by Malamen. This is because, without Malamen, even the very force of nature is dangerous and quickly overwhelms a person's body; see #Gapōs.

Gapōs

This is the "IBB/kila" curse ... a force of nature that affects those in a state of disgrace, or who have been disowned by Màlamen. People here try to survive but because they do not have the holy spirit of #Màlamen they become weaker each day as their salvation slips away. Thus, there is not just one Gapōs ... they are innumerable, but behave as one. Thus this noun has no plural.

As Gapōs gains influence over a person, they become physically weaker and are injured by ordinary objects, both manmade and natural. These natural spirits are not evil; they cause pain because the sufferer is being consumed by nature due to Malamen's abandonment. Each misfortune that befalls a person is due to Gapōs taking a bite from a person's body; when the entire body is consumed, salvation becomes impossible.

Since Gapōs can only attack those whom Màlamen has rejected, they act only under Malamen's control, and prayer to Màlamen cannot relieve a sufferer of their pain. Rather, their torment is the beginning of an eternal chain of punishment to be served out by reincarnation into future bodies of the innumerable damned.

Gapōs is not the cause of any disease, but can make a disease more severe. Likewise, Gapōs does not have control over life and death, but can cause a person to age more quickly than average.

Note: These might simply be called pōs. Their name appears to be cognate to #Puspa.

Èpa

These are spirits that cure illnesses.

Xìṭa

This is the electrical spirit. Like the other free spirits, they have no number, and therefore no name. They are present wherever there is electricity, including static electricity.

Wind spirits

#Malamen communicates through wind. However, there are minor spirits who also control the wind on smaller scales.

Wide-eyed Angels

The term "angel" can also be used for a supernatural being which has free will, and therefore is immune to temptation. They are capable of both good and evil, and those who do evil will never repent, because they committed it in free will. This is similar to the state of baptism for humans. They have bodies. They have powers *of* nature (not *over * nature).

It is possible that these are the #Yîna.

Tree spirits

Far back in the past, some creatures, das, running away from a battle were turned into trees as they ran, with those who were fast enough to resist the change being the only survivors. Those who became trees remain as such today, their spirits bound into their new bodies. They are considered to be both powerless and amoral; as such, they are undeserving of compassion. These and other spirits are thus sometimes described as subhuman; while they have souls, they have no supernatural powers and cannot resist the forces of nature.

A tree spirit may achieve freedom if a splinter of its wood pierces the skin of a human and links itself with the human's own spirit; the human then becomes equally bound to the tree.

Reincarnation

Reincarnation is hereditary, and souls are innumerable; their number neither increases nor decreases with the change in human population. The fertility goddess #Malamen is responsible for the migration of souls and determines the fate of the children of mixed marriages.

Rituals

Baptism

nĭgʷu is comparable to baptism for the priests. It raises them to the status of #Angels, meaning they have true free will and cannot be influenced by other humans or by the spirits of nature. Anyone who reaches this state and then turns away cannot be restored to salvation, as they rejected it in full conscience.

Celebration

Believers celebrate their acceptance by the savior #Malamen in a ceremony in early adolescence.

Cleanliness and filth

Spiritual and material filth are recognized as distinct concepts, but are treated similarly. No believer is permitted to pray, worship, or congregate with other believers while in a state of filth. Therefore, when hungry, they must acquire and prepare their food independently.

Types of affliction

Spiritual filth

Spiritual filth is private and cannot pass from one believer to another. It may manifest itself as a non-contagious disease, mental illness, or a curse. Relief from the affliction can be granted if another believer prays on the sufferer's behalf to #Malamen. Therefore, those suffering from a spiritual affliction must remain close to their community in order to make their condition known to another believer who is willing to relieve their burden.

An invisible spiritual affliction may be a sign of aggression by #Yuni, but not by #Kolagas.

Material filth

Material filth generally presents as a contagious disease. One may be sound in spirit but defective in body. People suffering from material filth are permitted to pray, but must still remain segregated from the public at mealtimes.

Temporal aspect

Filth

Filth by itself is usually temporary. Someone afflicted must find another believer to pray for them to #Malamen in order to free them from their curse.

Disgrace

If no other member of the community will pray for an afflicted believer, that person falls into disgrace (kuma), a state of permanent filth from which there is no escape. These people thus become disowned by the community. Some are taken as slaves, since their curse cannot be transmitted to other believers. Those generally believed to be more dangerous are exiled into the wilderness, where survival is difficult. Most of these people are male; therefore, the communities of the damned cannot grow by natural means.

Mythology

The mythology is separate from the theology because it varies from place to place and is not taught to all believers.

These creatures are treated as equals of humans.

Fairies

Flying humans live in deserts and open plains. They are animals, not spirits , and some cultures consider fairies to be simply other tribes of humans, and do not believe they can fly.

Mermaids

Humans who can breathe underwater are called mermaids. They are matriarchal and far larger than humans. Some cultures merge mermaids with #Undines.

other info

It is possible that the deities #Kolagas, #Moto, #Cabat, and #Nompo are part of the mythology rather than the theology.

Frog Pond

Frog Pond is a state of mental clarity, in which all worldly concerns are forgotten and the believer thinks only of spiritual things.