Entry #346115, added on 05-09-05 @ 3:39 am EDT
Entry Access Restriction: None.
| The Festival Of Set | Entry #346115 |
This is a topic I have not explored in very much detail at all, as I came up with it only recently, and it is not meant to occur in the story for a good long while. Still, I'll go over what little I know so far.
The Apsiu, being basically agnostic as they are, do not participate in many religious ceremonies or festivals of any sort; however, they do still feel a vague kinship to the god Set, seeing as he is their fabled creator and they were made in his own image. That having been said, it's pretty obvious that they would have some sort of religious ritual involving Set.
This ritual takes the form of the Festival of Set, a celebration which occurs whenever a particular comet with an irregular orbit comes within sight in the Kemeti sky. This happens over a period of many years, and varies at times (I haven't come up with the actual estimate yet...maybe something between twenty and fifty years, or some such), so the Festival of Set is a rare occasion, and one that many Apsiu live through only once or twice, if at all. THAT having been said...of course the festival is a big issue, and the Apsiu take as much advantage of it as they can.
Basically, the festival consists of most of the Apsiu going out...and getting drunk. ^_^ One notable occurrence is the relaxing of the strict caste system, as Kana in high and low positions fraternize with each other equally, and even many Moru are allowed in on the celebrations. The taverns do a brisk business and the streets are filled with Apsiu shouting and drinking and singing praises to Set. And of course, plenty of sexual activity usually follows. The festival starts the day after the comet is first sighted in the sky, this event being heralded by a peculiar trumpet blare from the trumpet-bearer who sounds the alarms and alerts from atop the wall; the rest of this day is spent preparing for the festival ahead, and the celebrations continue until the comet at last fades from sight, usually several days to a week (ten days) later. Even though the Apsiu, the Kana in particular, are already known as a hard-partying race which loves to get drunk and get laid, the Festival of Set is always highly anticipated, and enjoyed to its fullest.
Despite what has been said, there are mild religious associations to this festival, although they are not followed or recognized by most Apsiu. The main one I know of so far is the practice of the Seti Bebeni. These are special priests of Set, working out of the small "temple" dedicated to him (temple in quotes as most tribes do not possess the great stone temples of the sort the Kemeti use), whose particular practice is that of engaging in ritual sexual acts. Basically, the Seti Bebeni function as "sacred prostitutes," granting sexual favors to visiting Apsiu in exchange for money, food, and goods dedicated to Set. The Seti Bebeni do not go out in the streets carousing with everyone else; they keep to the temples and are instead approached by any Apsiu interested in their services, and any acts they participate in take place within the temple itself. This is just to clarify that they don't go all sex crazed like the rest of the Apsiu out in the streets; rather, they fulfill their obligations just as they are intended--as sacred acts--and aside from this, do not get involved in any relationships with other Apsiu who visit the temple. In fact, for a Seti Bebeni (the term is the same plural and singular) to become involved in any romantic or sexual relationship aside from those required by duty is greatly frowned upon, as such relationships tend to overshadow or lessen their sacred relationship with the god Set. And so aside from what they do as they tend to their duties, the Seti Bebeni remain for the most part celibate, and do not go seeking mates.
The Seti Bebeni engage in many types of sexual activities, almost anything at the request of their "customers," and during the act often recite prayers or phrases meant to honor Set, as the sexual act itself is meant to do this same thing. They take their work very seriously, and do not view it as simply sex for sex's sake. A customer may be refused if they express contempt or disrespect for the religious aspect of the act, and so most Apsiu who visit with the Seti Bebeni are either seeking a brief, no-strings-attached encounter, or actually possess some belief in Set and his rituals. The Seti Bebeni, like any other priests or mystics, are viewed with a mixture of awe and suspicion, and there are of course many wild, unsubstantiated rumors about their specific activities, when they are out of earshot of such claims. The Seti Bebeni are secretly accused of all sorts of perversions and depravities, when in truth their job is quite straightforward and not so mysterious at all--the great bulk of depravities are always occurring out in public in the streets, instead.
As expected, there is a great focus on the color red during this festival, and red festoons the cities and clothing of all celebrants, the Seti Bebeni wearing robes of red and white. The comet which heralds the beginning of the festival is known as the Traveling Star of Set, due to its irregular reoccurrence.
Should I come up with more details regarding this festival and its activities, I will of course be sure to update.
|
© Copyright 2005 Tehuti, Lord Of The Eight (UN: tehuti_88 at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
Tehuti, Lord Of The Eight has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and its syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.
|
Content Rating Notice: Recommended for Readers 18 Years and Older Only
Static Items
Books
Forums
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
