nemextended
THE FIRST BOOK OF SHI-TUGO
Chapter 9
Premium narration
1
Among the people of Ammon, women of childbearing age are inducted into the Council of Mothers, the body that nominates rulers and shapes communal governance. This chapter describes the sacred rite of induction. After receiving her New Name from the Peli, the young woman is escorted by her mother and female kin and seated in the center of concentric circles of women.
2
The appointed Speaker opens the gathering, and the young woman's name is proclaimed three times with rhythmic clapping. Sacred herbs are kindled, and the Speaker offers the bowl to the four directions and to heaven, giving thanks to the Father, the Mother, and the Son, and honoring the mother of the inductee for the teachings, spiritual practices, revelations, and providential wisdom passed to her daughter. A song of thanksgiving follows, individual women offer welcoming words, gifts are presented, and the new member receives her assignment within the women's councils.
