Life to Death

[ Children ] [ Marriage ] [ Way of Three Mountains ]

New 3/12/05

Heaven: When you die you go before one of the judges of Ji’Kalna. Many believe this to be the first sovereign empress. Your scroll is read and if you have lived a good life you pass thru the “veil of mist and tears” where you leave all your tears and frailties behind and exist in a place of perfect harmony.

Hell: If you are not judge worthy, you go to “The circles of damnation”. A complicated hell where you are put in the circle that is more fitting for your punishment. The Chinese version of hell is most similar.

Ghosts: There are a few reasons the Jillhani maybe come ghosts. The most common are those who are outcasts. They can not come before Ji’Kalna because they have been wiped from her scrolls. Therefore in death they become Oni and haunt the jungles as various forms of undead. Some are killed in ways so unexpected that they may not realize they are dead. These ghosts can be found haunting gardens. And some ghosts refuse to go on until a task has been satisfied. Murder victims are one example of this.

Reincarnation: Reincarnation amongst the Jillhani is not unheard of, but is viewed as a personal choice. An individual after dying decides to return into the Di-Seth (life circle) for a number of reasons, to improve themselves, to pay off a debt they owed to society or others or teach and guide others.

Children

Ji’Mal

Children, no matter their parents’ status, are usually being raised by the servants of a House. Children stay with their respective mother and, if the parents can afford that, a wet-nurse, until they are about five years old. Then they are sent away, to be raised together with all the other children of the House. Children are raised through harsh discipline. Failures are always punished, but success is always reason for praise. Punishments aren’t usually of the physical sort, instead offenders are ordered to do unpleasant work (like scrubbing the floors) or straining exercises. Fighting and bickering among young children is encouraged, as it teaches them to defend themselves, while older children are expected to behave more disciplined and show better self-control. All children are being taught control of body and mind, which is why the race sports the fiercest yet most serene and controlled fighters of Comraich. Indifference to pain and exhaustion is one of the goals, as is the ability to keep a clear mind in all situations, to think before speaking or acting and to never give away something that could be used against an individual or their House. Quick wits, physical strength, high self-control and devotion to Ji’Kalna are priced among the Jillhani, and therefore children are being raised in a way that encourages the developing of these traits.

Ji’Ken

Ji’Ken children are being raised in a much different way. Infants and small children are always kept with their mothers, no matter where she goes. Older children are integrated into the adults’ lives and learn from them through imitation. In the evenings, children gather around the elders who teach them theology and mysticism, self control and the power of emotion, as well as more practical things that may be useful in their lives. Ji’Ken youths grow up quickly as they are expected to take responsibility of themselves at a rather early age. Lying is frowned up and discouraged and more then one Ji'Ken child has ended up with a Tesles thorn placed thru their bottom lip for the day to stop this behavior. (ouch) Usually they are being considered adult soon as they complete their 14th year.

Ji’Coi

Ji’Coi children stay with their mother or a nanny until their 10th year, after which they are given to a respected craftsman, usually a friend of their parents, for an apprenticeship that usually lasts six years. Apprentices are usually treated like own children, and it is not rare that befriended craftsmen simply exchange their children for apprenticeship. Not only do apprentices learn a craft or trade from their masters, but they also learn to fight with weapons and without, as well as the basics of Jillhani theology and philosophy, meditation and self-control.

Marriage

Ji’Mal

Ji’Mal marriages are often arranged matriarchally marriages to make a House stronger and establish an alliance. Usually, the husband moves in with his wife’s family, but also the other way round is possible. Before a marriage is agreed on, precious and expensive gifts are being exchanged on both sides back and forth for a long time. The hopeful bride and groom’s parents will check on the other’s family closely, trying to get as much information as possible to see if an alliance is desirable or not. If a marriage is what both sides wish, the wedding will be planned. Weddings are usually a big and very expensive event, as even poorer families will go out of their way to make it the most splendid party it can be. The highlight of the celebrations is the signing of a complicated and detailed contract by the bride and groom and their parents, which is usually being done in the bride’s home. The contract is for two years only, after the passing of which the couple has the chance to engage in a life-long bond or part ways without hard feelings. Any children sired during that two years period belong to the mother and her House, unless a different agreement has been made. If a couple decides to enter a life-long bond, they will receive a ceremony at the temple of which only part is public. The other part is private and only the couple and priests and priestesses attend. After that ceremony the couple is said to be blessed by Ji’Kalna who wishes them to spend their lives by each other’s side and serve her with their union. The husband is considered part of the wife’s House for life then.

Ji’Ken

Ji’Ken marriage is a mystical thing. Weddings are archaic rituals of a strangely savage beauty. Ji’Ken usually marry out of love, but divorce is an easy thing for them as well. To divorce from your old, it suffices to have the wedding ritual with a new partner. Ji’Ken are very open about their sexuality, and adultery is not considered a serious offence. Children are being raised by the entire clan and also considered “property” of the clan, not of their parents.

Ji’Coi

Ji’Coi usually marry late in life, since the premise for getting married and starting an own family is a stable business with good income and the acquisition of not small riches. Many Ji’Coi live in relationships already before marriage though. Usually Ji’Coi marry out of love, but they will always try to get a good “deal”, someone who will strengthen their position and business. Ji’Coi weddings are just as swanky as those of the Ji’Mal, but follow a less strict etiquette. To be considered a married couple, both partners must sign a contract that holds the details of their union and makes each a shareholder of the other’s business and properties.

All Groups on Marriage

It is common practice among the Jillhani that when wed both the husband and wives keep their own last names. Any children born of the union would take the last name of the Mother as Jillhani tradition dictates. Depending upon circumstance and individual cases the husband may take the name of his wife to pay her high compliment and honor. The newly wed couple would move to the home of the individual with higher status be it the husband's or the wife's home.

Death

Life Cycle

Way of Three Mountains

The way of Three Mountains describes a course enlightenment gained by successive experiences. First one observes; then, one becomes; finally, one transcends. These three stages mark the di seth (“‘circle walk,” or life progress) of the ideal person, and is both a mark of distinction and a closely guarded secret amongst the Jillhani.

As a child, a young Jillhani ascends the First Mountain - Observation, by immersion in many experiences. General teaching and knowledge make up most of this stage. The child learns firsthand what it is to assume their role in life, noble, merchant, servant, hunter, etc, as well as how others think and feel and how the various members of Jillhani society fit together.

Once the time of adulthood comes (Ji’Ken), the apprenticeship ends (Ji’Coi), or the family position is assumed (Ji’Mal), the Jillhani ascends the Second Mountain – Becoming. Emerging from their training, be it in the jungle, a crafters apprenticeship or their noble trainers, the young adult now appears to their society as one who has finished their period of tutelage and now is now ready to enter the world at large. Those outsiders who encounter young Jillhani just entering this stage often perceive them as being individuals who have received the best training, education or conditioning that can be gained in some shielded away period of mystery and wonder; the Jillhani opening encourage this belief in outsiders. It is on the Second Mountain that most Jillhani spend the bulk of their lives.

The way of the Third Mountain comes to fewer; it comes about when the Jillhani grows stagnant or tired with worldly things. Often discarding their material possessions, the individual readies themselves to ascend the Third Mountain – Transcendence. Often removing him or herself to a remote spot, the Jillhani becomes a hermit attuning themselves to the higher will of the many faces of Ji’Kalna and leaves the world possessed of experience and knowledge. Some Jillhani have also been known to go about as beggars or wandering pilgrims during this stage.

Many Jillhani never make it to the third stage becoming too immersed in the second. The uniformed think the Third Mountain is a physical place, often felt to be near the temple itself or one of the many mountains that range in the Bishani.