Witterites

Witterites

Romantic depiction of a 1700s Witterite congregation in Sunrosia
Total population
c. 3.8 million
Founder
Jakob and Maria Witter
Regions with significant populations
Kirenia	1.3 million
East Miersa	736,000
Werania	702,956
Satucin	610,000
Template:Country data Estmere	430,000
Solstiana	400,000
Azmara	75,000
Hennehouwe	70,000
West Miersa	65,000
Religions
Witterism
Scriptures
The Bible and the Witter Pamphlets
Languages
Witterite and other varieties of Weranian

Witterites (Witterite: Minderheit) are an ethnoreligious group associated with Witterism, a radical Amendist movement spurred on by the revelations of Pastor Jakob Witter and his wife Maria. The religious movement emerged in the 16th century, in the region of Upper Cislania, before their general migration to the urban centres of modern Kirenia. Most Witterites speak their own dialect of Weranian as their first language.

The Witterite population is concentrated in the urban areas of Kirenia; their highest population is in Harimisaareke, in which some districts have a plurality Witterite population. Sizable communities of Witterites exist outside of Kirenia, and there are believed to be 3.8 million Witterites worldwide.

Most Witterites are members of the Society of Jesus the Friend, the largest congregationalist church which practices the Witterist denomination. Refusal to do harm, charity, equality of the sexes and inward light are considered core tenets to the Witterist faith, and many Witterites are conscientious objectors. Historically, Witterite figures have been famed for philanthropy, and Witterites have contributed to countless social justice programs.

Terminology

Witterite, the most common exonym used to describe the group, is derived from the names of Jakob and Maria Witter, the co-founders of the sect. Internally, however, the name Minderheit, which means 'minority' in the Witterite dialect of Weranian, is more widely used, and is derived from the original schism which gave rise to the religion, in which the followers of Jakob and Maria were in the minority.

History

As an ethnoreligious group, the Witterites have been shaped by a common history, characterised by repression, migration and coexistence with other groups. From their 16th century origins in northeastern Werania, the Witterites split from mainstream Amendism and were soon forced from their homes, with most following their founders to the relatively tolerant Sunrosian Monarchy. There, the Witterites emerged as a famed artisan class, before the rise of industry led to a decline in their prosperity. Witterites would soon become influential in organised labour, emerging as leading agitators for the socialist revolution which followed. In the modern epoch, the group has attempted to assert itself as a nation within Kirenia, but has faced a degree of state repression.

Origins

19th century painting depicting the Witterite migration.

The Witterites are understood to have emerged as a distinct group during the Amendist Reaction. In the mid 16th century, Pastor Jakob Witter and his wife Maria both claimed to have experienced unique, prophetic visions from God. The couple codified these visions in the Witter Pamphlets, and gained a significant following in their home of Upper Cislania, which soon found them in conflict with the influential Amendist movement in the region. This led the Witters and their followers to split from their Amendist church, and to instead form separate congregrations influenced by their emergent doctrine.

Though these congregations were able to coexist alongside the more mainstream Amendist churches for a time, the Amendist Wars would lead to a breakdown of inter-community relations, and following the Saalbing Massacre, most Witterites would go into hiding or flee to less violent regions. Throughout this period, the group would evolve from a religious denomination into a closely-knit people, united by a common language, faith and persecution. Despite the group having spread across nothern Euclea, regular meetings were common, allowing for continuing cohesion. Though Witterite populations would spread across the world, Sunrosia would emerge as the primary target of Witterite migration, owing to their relative religious tolerance and proximity.

Settlement period

18th century sculpture of Maria Witter in Harimisaareke.

The Sunrosian Witterites would migrate largely to urban areas, in particular the capital of Harimisaareke, where they would emerge as a skilled artisanal class, famed for the beauty and intricacies of their work. It became common for Witterite artisans to sell their wares to wealthy patrons; at times, Witterites were employed by the Monarchy of Sunrosia. As a result, sections of the Witterite population became incredibly wealthy, leading to involvement in charity and investment in social justice programs.

The advent of the industrial revolution, and the end of the importance of artisans, led to a decline in Witterite prosperity. With the rise of cheap labour, most Witterite artisans were unable to continue working in their trades, and instead began a transfer to factory labour. With Witterite labourers now heavily involved in industry, pastors became increasingly involved in grassroots politics, and the organisation of labour. Witterite preachers, many of whom were also labourers, became influential labour organisers, founding the Witterite Labour Bund, and becoming heavily involved in the Social Democratic Labour Party at a national level. During the Great Collapse, the participation of Witterites in labour groups incresed dramatically, and during the Airdale War almost all Witterites acted as conscientious objectors.

With the Sunrosian defeat in Airdale, Witterites then became leading agitators during the Kirenian Revolution, although they cautioned against the violence which engulfed the latter half of the general strike. When it became clear that the revolution was to be violent, Witterite revolutionaries largely organised themselves into medical corps, with some influential Witterite figures participating in the revolutionary political scene. For this participation, when the revolution was won the Witterites were largely spared the same level of anti-clericalism afforded to other religious groups. Persecution of Witterism did occur, but generally at a lower level. Some Witterites would become leading figures in the Kirenian government, and during the Great War Witterites were heavily involved on the Kirenian home front.

Postbellum times

A Witterite community meeting in Ostapils-Baihaven.

In the post-war period, the Witterites in Kirenia would retain their identity. Despite this, and numerous efforts on the part of Witterite leaders, the group were never considered a nation in the Kireniam sense. This meant that the group did not have the same legal protections afforded to other ethnic minorities, allowing for religious persecution. The group were largely spared the full force of anti-clericalism, in part due to their compliance with the religious policy committee, but persecution did persist. This persecution spiked during periods of radical leadership, eventually culminating in the migration of some Witterites to neighbouring states. Within Kirenia, Witterite groups were considered influential in the electoral downfall of the radicals, providing canvassing efforts to other candidates.

Today, Witterite populations persist, still centred in Kirenia. In order to maintain relevance as a denomination at interfaith conferences, and at the Kirenian governments religious policy committee, the congregationalist Witterist faith has been somewhat centralised, with the Society of Jesus the Friend existing as a catch-all federation of congregations, and the Primate existing as a first-among-equals to represent the Witterite people and Witterist faith. Since 2009, the Primate has been Michlaus Habich. There remain concerted efforts on behalf of the Witterite people to achieve nationhood status within Kirenia, but, despite high-profile cases at the Kirenian courts, the group and their faith remain unrecognised as such by the Kirenia government.

Culture and practices

Religion

Main articles: Witterism and Society of Jesus the Friend

Jakob Witter

Maria Witter

The Witterites are strongly associated with the Witterist religion, a wayward branch of radical Amendism founded by Jakob and Maria Witter. Witterism is theologically underpinned by the Sotirian Bible, the Witter Pamphlets and the broader writings of the Witters, and the revelations of subsequent Witterite thought leaders. The Witterite faith is highly congregationalist, and particularly decentralised, with variation between different Witterite churches. Refusal to do harm, charity, equality of the sexes and inward light remain core tenets found in almost all branches of the faith. The Society of Jesus the Friend has existed since 1937, and most extant Witterite churches exist in full communion with each other within the organisation.

Worship for Witterites is generally a broad affair. Congregations exist, and worship is often conducted by pastors, who themselves are generally influential community leaders, beliving in the priesthood of all believers. While pastors are not appointed by higher authorities, they are still considered part of a broader clergy. Outside of congregations, worship in Witterism also extends to unorganised practices. Arts and crafts can be considered holy pursuits, with doctrine teaching that the light within can be expressed by creative and material pursuits in addition to prayer.

Language

The Witter Pamphlets are written in the Witterite dialect.

The Witterite language, sometimes considered one or many dialects of Weranian, is the liturgical language of Witterism and the most widely spoken first language among Witterite populations. The Witterite language is characterised by the use of an "-ad" suffix for first person plural verbs and a late voice-onset time for plosives. The language is closely related to other Upper Cislanian dialects of Weranian. Holy texts, such as the Witter Pamphlets and Witterite copies of the Bible, are almost always written in the Witterite language, and church services are also generally conducted in the language.

Many Witterites also speak second languages, generally other Weranian varieties, in order to better integrate with their neighbouring communities. Estmerish and Gaullican are also commonly spoken as second languages by Witterite communities, as international languages. Community leaders and church pastors encourage the learning of second languages among their congregations, and some groups offer educational courses in modern foreign languages for Witterite speakers. Generally speaking, Witterites use their own language in most in-group settings, such as church services and community meetings, while using their second languages when conversing with non-Witterite, or in business and educational contexts.

Leadership

Michlaus Habich, the incumbent Primate, is considered a spiritual leader.

Due to the congregationalist nature of the Witterite faith, there is no established hierarchy of leadership within it. This translates more broadly to Witterite communities in the secular sense. Pastors are generally drawn from influential persons within Witterite communities, of any gender, and those individuals then tend to be considered the spiritual leaders of their community. Pastors generally lead normal lives outside of servicing their communities, and most pastors have families of their own.

Following the Great War, the Society of Jesus the Friend was founded to provide a broad forum for Witterite communities and pastors, bringing most Witterite congregations into full communion. The Society itself remains largely decentralised and the faith can still be considered congregationalist.

The Primate of the Society of Jesus the Friend is considered a primus inter pares among Witterite pastors, and is highly influential among them. The Primate is elected from among the pastors themselves, and is generally seen as spiritually close to the two original Witters themselves. Despite this, the Primate has no temporal or spiritual power over other pastors, though is generally considered to act on the behalf of the Witterite people and Witterist faith outside their communities. In light of the Primate's spirituality and prestige, they are therefore highly regarded as a spiritual leader by most Witterites.

Within Kirenia, the Witterist faith is also subject to the religious policy committee, with which the Society has an active dialogue and largely constructive relationship. The Society is known to be one of the few religious organisations in Kirenia to have instituted almost all suggestions of the policy committee.

Demographics

Population centres

Harimisaareke remains a major centre of the Witterite population.

Historically, Witterites have been centred in Kirenia, particularly in Kirenian urban centres. Harimisaareke, the capital of the Kirenia, is home to the oldest and largest continual Witterite community in the world, with many districts within the city having plurality Witterite populations. The city is famed for prevalent Witterite culture, and is home to a number of Witterite cultural works, such as the famed Maria Witter statue.

Outside of Harimisaareke, sizable Witterite populations exist in other Kirenian cities, such as Seitse Sammu. A small population has existed in other Kirenian cities.

While the majority of the Witterite population resides within the borders of Kirenia, large populations existed historically and have emerged elsewhere. Sizable communities persist in Satucin, centered in Bonhavre, and Werania, centred in Wiesstadt, in addition to across Miersa. Other large populations exist throughout the Euclean Community. Despite the diaspora of the Witterites, a common culture and language can be seen, with some variation, across their host countries.

Status

While the Witterites are widely considered an ethnoreligious group by mainstream Academia, their status in Kirenia, where their largest population exists, has been subject to debate. Proponents argue that the shared language, genealogical origin and faith of the Witterites constitutes an ethnic group and a nation. This would, due to the National Cultural Autonomy Principle, entitle the group and their religion to legal protection. Witterite leaders have taken the issue to Kirenian courts, but outcomes have been inconclusive, and at present the Witterites are not considered a nation in Kirenia.

Notable individuals

Main article: List of Witterites

• Jakob Witter (1529–1601), co-founder of Witterism
• Maria Witter (1537–1626), co-founder of Witterism
• Matthias Heusse (1775–1833), sculptor and artist
• Jänu Haberlin (1812–1901), chocolatier and founder of Haberlin's
• Albrecht Döuer (1872–1920), psychologist
• Jürg Ochsner (1871–1955), philosopher, writer, activist and politician
• Viktor Beer-Hofmann (1892–1965), 28^th Chancellor of Werania
• Michlaus Habich (born 1949), Primate of the Society of Jesus the Friend
• Walther Kerner (born 1978), politician
• Kaspar Pfeiffer (born 1979), economist
• Sophie Schpeer (born 1991), musician