Shenrem
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i.e. the main religion in western Dawera
This public article was written by [Deactivated User] on 25 May 2023, 16:54.
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This article is a work in progress! Check back later in case any changes have occurred.
This article is a work in progress! Check back later in case any changes have occurred.
Article created in: May 2023 (repost)
 Founded: Yuna, Nesyania, 943 Number of adherents: WIP Major religion in: Nesyania (92%) • Zaloma (90%) • Kasewaya (86%) • Inwez (69%) Significant religious minority in: Tazul (41%) • Chilemin (27%) |
The principles of faith are based on the spiritual and moral teachings of eight prophets or guides – seven men and one woman – known as feherkajėi (a Nesyanian word meaning ‘called before’, sometimes used to refer to prophets of other religions as well).
There are two denominations of Shenrem:
• Riteshaf (from riteiṡaf, literally ‘of the right hand’), sometimes referred to as Nesyanian Shenrem, is the more orthodox and often radical branch, followed by a majority of the adherents of Shenrem in general.
It is the state religion of Nesyania, adhered to by about 90% of the population, and also the most widespread religion in Zaloma (79% of the population being followers of Riteshaf Shenrem), Kasewaya (56%, mainly in large cities) and Inwez (about 50%).
• Eweshaf (exweiṡaf, ‘of the left hand’), more commonly called Rattaye Shenrem (from a Desanian phrase rate saya meaning ‘our way/tradition’) is adhered to by people of many different ethnicities across Kasewaya, Tazul and Inwez, including ethnic minorities such as Tezula (Southern Tazuro people) and Keranians. This branch of Shenrem shows significant elements of religious syncretism. One can say no united Rattaye denomination exists; each nation adds some elements of their traditions to the faith, treating their pre-Shenremic customs as an inseparable part of the religion.
The adherents of Shenrem (referred to as ṡenramau, PLPlural (number)
more than one/few ṡenramawun) believe in one almighty God with no specific form, whose presence is represented rather by symbols than by any anthropomorphization.
The faith in any other supernatural beings, such as good and evil spirits, is present, but not dogmatic. Anyway, spirits are venerated as divine messengers or mediators in some more syncretic fractions, where certain ancient, pre-Shenremic traditions are still alive. This syncretism is often considered a heresy and a sign of polytheism by more orthodox ṡenramawun.
It is believed that the souls of deceased virtuous “saints” (deyankėi) can be mediators interceding with God on behalf of people. There is no official list of deyankėi (besides the eight feherkajėi prophets, whose teachings are considered the foundation of the Shenrem faith) and usually each community if believers has their own more or less legendary saint-like figures.
Both main fraction of Shenrem recommend praying twice a day, at dawn and at dusk; if a faithful is not able to pray at the recommended time, they can fulfill their duty earlier or later. Some pious people, regardless of their gender, cover their heads during prayers.
According to Riteshaf Shenrem, the language of all prayers should be Nesyanian, as this was the language of the first prophets. Anyway, translations to other languages exist as followers of Shenrem come from different countries and ethnic groups.
WIP.
The main symbol of the religion is a ten-pointed star, called yunugwe in the Nesyanian language. It symbolizes spiritualism and divine presence. The yunugwe can be seen on flags of countries such as Nesyania and Inwez, as well as on other flags and emblems.
Sometimes, the points of the star are interpreted as denoting different virtues valued in Shenrem:
- faith (hendan)
- truthfulness (aibat’an)
- dutifulness (kwayunė)
- courage (gahan)
- benevolence (ṡehetwayė)
- wisdom/prudence (yatudayė)
- compassion/mercy (faitumė)
- temperance (ṅaranendė)
- sincerity/justice (ritayė)
- humility/modesty (wetenkar)
However, the additional interpretations of the symbol can vary between different regions and traditions.
The traditional colors symbolizing Shenrem are blue and green, both being associated with spirituality and harmony.
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