View source for Itepinism

'''Itepinism''' is the indigenous religion of the Tevethi people.

It is based on rites and doctrines recorded in the Paleo-Tevethi scripture ''[[Mafakhenitepin]]'' (“Book of Creation”). Itepinists worship [[Etep]] (Old Ibsa: ⲏⲧⲉⲡ 'Creator', also referred to as ϩⲁⲛ-ⲓϫⲱϫ ''Han-Idjōdj'' “Great Spirit”), the primordial creator of the universe. In Itepinist theology, Etep is formless and ineffable, and is said to possess ten distinct hypostases that are simultaneously Etep and expressions of Etep. These ten are collectively called the '''ere’im''' (Old Ibsa: ⲉⲣⲉⲓ̄ⲙ; singular '''ara'''), and each ara personifies a major cosmic principle.

Itepinist doctrine describes Etep as a primordial being who “slumbered” before creation. Etep is regarded as formless and ineffable and is not depicted anthropomorphically; Etep is not considered visually depictable in his totality. When representation occurs, it is typically limited to the creator’s name or to glyphs expressing Etep’s tenfold nature, and to images of Etep only as manifested in one of the ten hypostases. The Ere’im are treated as personifications of universal forces rather than separate creator gods, and may be invoked individually in ritual according to domain.

The Ere’im are not divided into benevolent and malevolent deities; each ara is a necessary cosmic principle that can manifest constructively or destructively depending on circumstance and rite. This moral non-dualism is often explained through the concept of ''īmren'' (Old Ibsa: ⲓ̄ⲙⲣⲉⲛ), a term denoting balanced alignment among seemingly opposing forces rather than the triumph of one “good” power over an “evil” one.

== Tenets ==

=== ''Han'' ===
Itepinism believes that Etep imbues all living things and inanimate objects with ''han'' (Ibsa: {{cs|cpt|ϩⲁⲛ}}) a metaphysical power or soul. Depending on the specific sect of Itepnism, certain things can either drain (''han'' siphons) or reinforce ''han'' (''han'' springs) of living beings in its proximity. It is common for the Tevethi to place ''han'' springs within their households, typically in their bedrooms. Certain ''han'' spring minerals may also be worn on the body as a protective amulet. ''Han'' siphons, like animal bones, may be considered a neutral material when paired with a ''han''-reinforcing material like jade. It may even become a ''han'' spring, in the case of animal bones, if the animal was used in ritual sacrifice to Etep.

Certain actions can also be classified as ''han''-draining or ''han''-reinforcing, depending on the harm or good caused as a result of the action.

Possessing a certain amount of ''han'' is requirement for entry into the afterlife.

In pre-republic Teveth, it is customary for prisoners to be placed in cells containing tiles infused with animal bone powder, a material considered to be ''han'' siphons. In this manner, the prisoners' ''han'' can be gradually reduced until it reaches a level where executing the prisoners in question will not drain the ''han'' of those involved, as killing or condemning a person to death was considered ''han''-draining. This arrangement also provides a secondary psychic humiliation of being unable to do anything to stop the ''han-''draining, potentially barring condemned prisoners from reaching the afterlife.

== Practices ==

=== Asrakwanshamatu ===
The Asrakwanshamatu (Ibsa: {{cs|cpt|ⲁ̄ⲥⲣⲁⲕⲟⲩⲁⲛϣⲁⲙⲁⲧⲟⲩ}}) is a cleansing ritual performed by adherents after a major ''han''-draining incident. It involves ritually bathing in the Samatkhaoul River, and praying upstream towards the source. Although adherents are allowed to perform the Asrakwanshamatu any time, this practice is mostly performed by soldiers returning from a particularly gruesome battle or by prisoners.
[[Category:Religions]]