Mi’KMAC TRIBE

Prominent Figures:

Larenn Manman (Grand Cheiftess) Tolinka: She holds the right to lead the ceremonies incumbent to the clans: marriages, baptisms and funerals. She is considered one of the most important members of the community.

Ba-Met(Grand Chief-Prince) Machakw   -- (Tolinka’s son; since she has no daughters, in the event of Tolinka’s death, Machakw is allowed to function as Wa [Grand Chief] until a new Larenn Manman can be named).

Fanm (Cheiftess) Enola (Tolinka’s most trusted advisor, a Sego-Pretes [high-priestess] and Fanm of the Bondye): The Sego-Pretes is the woman chosen by the pwo (oracle) to care for the convent. Priestesses receive a calling from an pwo, which may come at any moment during their lives. They will then join their clan's convent to pursue spiritual instruction. It is also a pwo that will designate the future high priest or high priestess among the new recruits, establishing an order of succession within the convent. Strangers or outsiders are forbidden in the convent.

Government:

There are five territories, each of which has its own government and boundaries. Each territory has a leader (bouch) and a council (mitim). The council members are generally comprised of elders and community leaders. The councils perform all duties of any independent and free government by enacting laws, justice, apportioning fishing and hunting grounds, making war and suing for peace.

The territories, as well as what they're most known for, their leader and their Aspects (see below), are:

1) Avyon de Gè (most warlike); Fanm Matunaagd  (Aspect 1)
2) Kiltivatè (tend toward agriculture, hunting); Fanm Kaliska (Aspect 2)
3) Rayisab (artisans, craftsmen, builders); Met Sewati (Aspect 3)
4) Aprann (scribes and scholars); Met Bidziil (Aspect 4)
5) Bondye (religion-based, priest/priestesses); Fanm Enola (Aspect 5)

In addition to territorial councils, there is a Grand Council, or Gwo Konsey. The Gwo Konsey is comprised of territory chiefs, and is led by the Grand Chieftess, or Larenn Manman. The Larenn Manman title is hereditary and passed down to eldest daughters.

Housing/Physical Quality of Life:

Most of the housing is surprisingly similar to that of the colonists – wooden multifamily longhouses are common, however single-family homes in the style from the Fortuna colony are beginning to crop up in some parts. Furnishings in Mi’Kmac homes would be mostly familiar to colonists, and equally comfortable, however the style is very distinctly Mi’Kmac. Homes are decorated with expertly woven rugs, animal skins, pottery. In the residences of more prominent figures, murals/frescos of great hunts or creation myths adorn the walls.  For the most part, the Mi’Kmac enjoy the same amenities as the Fortuna colonists, only in a different style.

Because the Mi’Kmac have been exposed to the colony for multiple generations, and because both formal and informal trade has been ongoing throughout that time, Mi’Kmac everyday wear has evolved to include style elements akin to what the colonists wear. The Mi’Kmac women DO NOT WEAR corsets, however they do have self-styled dresses made of fabrics procured at the old Trading Post, intermingled with the typical buckskin robes.

Spirituality:

The Mi’Kmac are highly spiritual and deeply in-tune with their roots, as well as the world around them. Once upon a time, they worshipped the Old Gods, the Evil Ones, the Bos Tinel*.  Now, they worship the New Gods, or the Ogunwe --divine essences that govern the forces of nature and human society. down to the spirits in each stream, tree and rock (religious traces of the Old People, the Hen Ddrew [more on that to come]).

Kreye is the divine maker – a female being represented by the moon who bore five children (one for each Aspect; corresponds to the five territories [see below]). Gason is Kreye’s male counterpart, represented by the sun. They are both children of the Linive (a concept that equates to the universe).

All creation is considered divine and therefore contains the power of the divine. This is how medicines such as herbal remedies are understood, and explains the ubiquitous use of mundane objects in religious ritual. Talismans, called "fetishes", are objects such as statues or dried animal parts that are sold for their healing and spiritually rejuvenating properties.

This religion is called Rayi. It is a religion in which an important part is devoted to the cult of the ancestors. Even if the origin of humanity and the world are explained in Rayi mythology, it is centered on a question of faith. Mi’Kmac believe that the answer to such questions are beyond human reach. Priority is given to the ancestors, who intercede from the Linive on behalf of their families and descendants.

The Five Aspects (Ogunwe):

1) Ezili: The more aggressive and warlike spirits, associated with the color red. Element of fire.

2) Pye; Generally the older, more benevolent of the spirits, associated with the color green. Element of earth.

3) Nanchon: The younger spirits, associated with adaptability and malleability, associated with the color blue. Element of water.

4) Samedi: The wise and curious sprits, sweetly mischievous, happy and balanced, associated with the color white. Element of air.

5) Freda: Spirits of the dead. Loud, rude (although rarely to the point of real insult), sexual, and usually a lot of fun. As those who have lived already, they have nothing to fear, and frequently will display how far past consequence and feeling they are when they come through in a service, associated with the colors of black and purple. Element of humanity.

Noteworthy Customs/Rituals:

There are numerous types of ceremonies, many of which involve drumming, singing and dancing. Possessions are not terribly uncommon. During these ceremonies, the spirits in the body of man – Ogunwe -- prophesize, heal people, cleanse people, bless them and assist them in resolving their issues. Throughout the ceremonies, which will last many hours, each of the Ogunwe will be sung for until all have been appeased. Many of them will be ritualistically saluted in certain ways and poured drinks. The congregation as well as all the guests will be given food to eat that has been blessed by the Ogunwe.

The Larenn Manman holds the most decadent of the ceremonies, however Fanm and Met typically hold smaller ceremonies in their territories (all overseen by either the Sego Pretes). Ceremonies take place several times a year, and are generally directed toward the Ogunwe that they work with the most.

In addition, Pretes may offer:

Divination/Readings: Reading with the cards, a candle and water reading; the Pretes can  call a Ogunwe or use various other techniques to answer questions or see the future. While the first two can be done long distance, calling an Ogunwe is best done if the person is present.

Baths: Spiritual baths are usually especially composed for a person so that he/she may be able to achieve a particular goal. Spiritual baths may also be administered to remove negativity, bring up luck, and to open doors of opportunity. Baths are also administered to heal illnesses.

Eple : Essentially, a spell. Eple are done for all sorts of requests: love, money, work, revenge, etc. Eples can be simple or extremely complex.

Pwot: A pwot is a protection. There are various types of pwot. The most common, a pwot po, is a cut on the skin that has certain herbal powders rubbed into it. It protects people from negative eple, unnecessary accidents, and so on. It is placed on the point of a Ogunwe. In this manner, the Ogunwe is attached to the person to guard and protect him or her. Very much like a personal body guard.  There are also other types of pwot which are administered in a variety of other ways.

Lan Mo: Used to send one or several mo (spirit of the dead) against an enemy, or drive one or many of them away from a victim of this type of attack.

Travay: In this, a priest (pretes) captures a spirit in order for it to work for a person. The spirit, usually a lejd, or aggressive spirit, is contracted out by the pretes to serve a person in a particular fashion. A travay may also be received to enhance a person’s magical capabilities and strengthens his/her magic. Travay can be particularly dangerous and harmful.

Marye: In this ceremony, a person is married to an Ogunwe. By marrying the Ogunwe, the person is bound to the spirit and obligated to the particular Ogunwe, and vice versa. This is not an initiation ceremony, but rather a personal obligation that is made for various reasons.

Beny Tet: It is a cleansing of the head, which removes negative magic, helps possession occur, increases psychic abilities, adds power to the person’s magic, strengthens them, draws money, and much more.

Sekre: This is the initiation ceremony. It is deeply spiritual and empowering. The secrets of this lineage are taught or transfered to the initiates during this ritual.

*Mi’Kmic spirituality can be traced back centuries to the tunnels that run beneath Fortuna. Though the Mi’Kmac began to regard the tunnels and the tunnel-builders as evil, the Court of Miracles, a Fortuna based criminal gang, has recently taken up residence within these sacred and evil halls.