Kyrenaian Polytheism

**Kyrenaian Polytheism** is the prevalent religion in Kyrenaia, a polytheistic faith around the three main deities Ischthar, often called the Lioness, Al-Uzza and Manat, respectively the Mother-Goddess, the Goddess of the Morning Star and the Goddess of Moon and Fate, as well as a number of other deities.

## Festivals

### Akitisekinku

Spring Festival, Day of the Barley-Cutting (agricultural growth cycle: Sowing Barley in autumn, harvesting in spring). Traditionally 12 days long, it begins on the night of the first full moon after the spring equinox.

Nowadays, the first day and the last day are a holiday for everyone, the days between them being work days known as the Barley-Days.

## List of Goddesses and Gods - IN NEED OF REWORKING

### Three Main Deities

* Ischthar, often depicted with a Desert Lioness (thus being called the Lioness) by her side, is the patroness of Mothers, Homes, the Sultanate itself, the land and of fertility. She gave her own ability to reproduce so that her charges, humans, could reproduce by the plenty.
* Al-Uzza is often depicted in lamellar armour, with a short axe in hand and a shield close to her, which is only natural, considering she is the Goddess of the Morning Star and of Fighting. As a war-diety, however, she does not stand for senseless slaughter, but for strategy and tactics, as well as logistics (which was officially added rather lately). Her consort is Bel, the God of Weather, Fertility and Mountains. She is, by theologians, seen as the youngest major deity in the entire pantheon.
* Manat is the most enigmatic of the three, usually depicted with a horn of plenty. She is also the one responsible for fate, weaving the Threads of Life into the Great Tapestry, the chronicle of all that was, is and will be - weaving along as time progresses. She has most importantly patronage over Merchants and businesspeople, their businesses, as well as trade, art and crafts.

### Other Deities

* Absu and Tamatu, the Primordial Deities, Parents of Ischtar.
* Ninanak is the Kyrenaian Goddess of Justice, Political Power, Sex and War.
* Utu, God of Justice, Morality, and Truth, mate of Ischthar.
* Ea, God of the Seas. He owns the sword Ea, which is said to be swung to cause terrible waves and storms.
* Nabur/Al-Kutbay, God of Knowledge, Commerce and Writing. Son of Utu and Ischtar.
* Enki, God of Intelligence, Crafts and Mischief.
* Kothawacharsis, God of Smithing, Craftsmanship, Engineering, Architecture, Invention, Soothsaying and Magic (the latter two aspects fell more and more out of use). He is said to have made many of the Godly Weapons, as well as some of the weapons in the Song of the Swords, including Ea and Yuqiza.
* Ishat: Goddess of Fire, said to have been quite feisty. Mate of Tammuz.
* Tammuz: God of Shepherds and Sheep. Mate of Ishat.
* Malakbel: God of the Sun.
* Enlili: Goddess of the Wind, sister of Wadad, in a love-hate-relationship with Ea.
* Wadad: God of Storms, brother of Enlili.
* Bel: God of Weather, Fertility and Mountains. Mate of Al-Uzza.
* Nerekigal and Erekigal, they rule from the palace Irkalla over Kurnug, the Underworld, which is surrounded by the river Ilurugu.

## Also see

* Christians in Kyrenaia.
* Religion of the Ihmiset.
* Savt Filjibal.