Soziti

The eight pointed star of Soziti

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Soziti (Wunal: ሥለቮል᎐ሦዚቲ tr. Slavol'soziti) is a monotheistic religion that originated on the continent of Neira, and is the dominant religion on that continent. Centred around the country of Variyako, the main religious text is the Iszotec. The religion was formed around 114BCE in the city of Mestata by the first Ravadi, which sought to unite the then fractured Neiran people under one God. Since the Variyakoi Unification Wars the religion has spread to all nations on Neria save Tzolkun, and has also started to grow on other nations through the increasing Variyakoi diaspora. A follower of Soziti is known as a "Sozitist".

Beliefs

God

Soziti is a monotheistic religion which believes in one, indivisible God (Wunal: ኾ tr. Ǩo) rejecting any form of polytheism. The one God is seen as being the supreme creator whose power derives from divine will. Within Soziti God is seen as an incomprehensible being to ordinary humans that communicates to humanity through prophets and priests who are chosen by god to relay his message. The God of Soziti is omnipotent, omnibenevolent, omniscient and omnipresent.

Afterlife

Variyako sees the afterlife as one wherein one's soul achieves unity with God. If one has led a full-filling life than their soul become one with God, achieving eternal peace whilst surrendering all mortal concerns as they have divine knowledge. The omnipotent, omnibenevolent, omniscient and omnipresent nature of God is partly due to its status as the collective unity of the blessed. To achieve afterlife the Iszotec proscribes that one must follow completely and utterly the teachings of God throughout their life. If one does not follow Gods will, the Iszotec states their soul will never achieve unity with God and so will suffer for eternity as a "half-being" on the earth wherein their soul shall stay in their dead body being punished for its lack of faith.

Practices

Festivals

The Soziti lunar calendar is divided into twelve months (Wunal Haćy [singular], Ofža Haćy [plural]), of Anvah'haćy, Načme'haćy, Sulaweya'haćy, Salisuuča'haćy, Naja'ǩe'haćy, Ǩu'haćy, Vihola'haćy, Ba'reǩe'haćy, Šanifi'haćy, Sawawi'haćy, Dežoj'haćy, and Uiačaǩah'haćy, with each month dedicated to a certain celebrated occurrence in yearly Soziti routine. These months are:

• Anvah'haćy (ቨ᎙᎐ሀኢ) - lit. "First month". Marks the start of a new year. The month of rest, of new resolutions and of planning. Is typically celebrated with a large feast, sometimes lasting the entire month for the richest and most decadent.
• Načme'haćy (ነቻሜ᎐ሀኢ) - lit. "Political month". The month where the first Ravadi of the year sits, and is expected to make the most important decisions to be carried out in the year to come.
• Sulaweya'haćy (ሡለዌየ᎐ሀኢ) - lit. "Beautiful month". The month of peace, where war is forbidden, and no drop of blood is to be spilt. Murderers and warmongers of any kind during this month are imprisoned and with extreme prejudice and are typically executed in the month following. Wars of defence however are permitted.
• Salisuuča'haćy (ሠሊሡ᎕ቸ᎐ሀኢ) - lit. "Artistic month". Month of artistic and laborious pursuits. In this month typically most buildings begin to be built, roads begin to be paved, are armies are often raised.
• Naja'ǩe'haćy (ነየ᎐ኼ᎐ሀኢ) - lit. "War month". Month of martial pursuits and righteous war. The occurrence of this month alone has historically been used as a casus belli by Soziti nations to wage war against others, especially those of other religions. Tournaments of combat and strength are also held in this month, especially in more peaceful times where war is not foreseeable, with traditional sports being archery, horse racing and wrestling.
• Ǩu'haćy (ኹ᎐ሀኢ) - lit. "Fire month". The month of fire and of death and rebirth, where the dead are celebrated and young are born. The dead are disposed of in this month, either through cremation or sky burial, and it is considered lucky for a child to be born in this month. Bonfires are lit in the streets to celebrate. In history and legend, undesired towns and cities captured in the month prior have also historically been razed during this month.
• Vihola'haćy (ቪሆለ᎐ሀኢ) - lit. "Charity month". The month of charity and gift-giving.
• Ba'reǩe'haćy (በ᎐ሬኼ᎐ሀኢ) - lit. "Speaking month". The month of announcements and review. This month is characterised by public forums held by priests and nobility reflecting on the national achievements that have occurred in the year thus far, as well as reviews of perviously made national decisions that have not yet been fulfilled. The right for commoners to speak has historically been denied, however this has been ignored through various points in history, normally during times of social uprisings and unrest.
• Šanifi'haćy (ሸኒፊ᎐ሀኢ) - lit. "Food month". The month of food preservation and cooking. Typically foodstuffs with long shelf lives are prepared in this month, ensuring steady nourishment in the freezing Neiran weather.
• Sawawi'haćy (ሠወዊ᎐ሀኢ) - lit. "Repair month". The month of repair and healing. Buildings and infrastructure are traditionally tended to and repaired during this time, and the sickly are given the most attention. Often seen as a second month for charity, specifically for the diseased and disabled.
• Dežoj'haćy (ዴዦፂ᎐ሀኢ) - lit. "Learning month". The month where young children of 6-8 years begin schooling. Universities also often accept applications during this month.
• Uiačaǩah'haćy (ፁፂፀቸኸ᎙᎐ሀኢ) - lit. "Clarity month". The month of truth, where political decisions are finalised and politics come to a close. End-year exams often begin this month for students, specifically older students.

Prayer

Sozitists are expected to pray for a full day every week. In the Soziti six-day week, various days are organised to accommodate several prayer periods. The weeks and their prayer schedules are:

• Anvah'ǰat (ፀንቨ᎙᎐ጀት) - 2 hours of prayer at sunrise.
• Abavah'ǰat (ፀበቨ᎙᎐ጀት) - full work day; no prayer.
• Akavah'ǰat (ፀከቨ᎙᎐ጀት) - 2 hours of prayer in the evening.
• Ahobavah'ǰat (ፀሆበቨ᎙᎐ጀት) - full work day; no prayer.
• Agavah'ǰat (ፀገቨ᎙᎐ጀት) - 2 hours of prayer in the evening.
• O'bavah'ǰat (ፆ᎐በቨ᎙᎐ጀት) - half day; 6 hours of prayer after midday.

Clergy

A Sozitist priest is known as a Ǩo’zodu

Ceremonies

Rites of passage

• Birth - Prayer whispered in ear at birth.
• 1 - Boys get circumcision to make them modest. Girls aren't as under Soziti doctrine they are "naturally promiscuous and nothing can be done about it".
• 14 - Nose and ears are pierced and head is shaved to signify adulthood. Probably done at a Bar Mitzvah-like service.
• Marriage - For every marriage one must fast for 24 days (not nights though) and cover one's face for the same period before the marriage. For the marriage to count one must have sex. Also having sex before marriage is wrong if you're a guy .
• Death - Body is cleaned and buried. Spouses have to fast and cover face for 24 days.

Major Denominations

Map of the denominations of Soziti in Neira