Itepinism

Itepinism is the indigenous religion of the Tevethi people.

It is based on rites and doctrines recorded in the Paleo-Tevethi scripture Mafakh en-Itepin (“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: 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. 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.

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.