Emnet
Emnet, also known as Makar'èmnet, is an abrahamic religion based on the teachings of Mother Makara that believes there is only one unique god(Naqala - Supreme Being), and that Makara is the prophesied human embodiment of Naqala. It has the most followers in Tulura, with over 75 million and dozens of sects within the country. Emnet teaches that Naqala is a universal force of good that opposes evil, the sin of men, in the world. Mankind is a mediator between evil and good forces, that must trend towards the light of Naqala, as Naqala is their creator. Mother Makara is seen as the messenger of Naqala's divine will, bringing the gospel of reconciliation, peace, love and harmony to bring an end to devastating war between the feuding kingdoms of man.
Philosophy
Concept of God
Emnet upholds that there is only one god called Naqala, however rejects the notion that they are a personal anthropomorphic god. Naqala is thought of as a pantheistic force in most conventional Emnetan schools of thought. Naqala is immanent("Naqala Tegenyitwali"), is the common saying in prayer for most Emnet followers, holding true to the religion's central teachings.
There are several layers to Naqala, with the most prominent being essence(Hratayni) and soul(Hratsi). Naqala's essence is what flows throughout the physical plane and builds it; which the soul(Hratsi) in-turn occupies to bring animate life. Each living thing is believed to have Naqala within their souls, with classical Emnetan thought teaching that the world exist in as Naqala's singular consciousness, which all share. Direct emanations are special and different from Hratsi, as such prophets represent the pure Hratayni from Naqala.
Wasal is a concept essential to understand how Naqala works. It teaches that Naqala is inherently benevolent, maternal and lively, but that evil actions and thoughts affect it's disposition towards one. For example, one that commits an evil virtue will be treated as such by the Bad Wasal, or Hmawasal, they reflect. One who commits to good virtues shall receive a wholesome life however, as they reflect Naqala in their own image.
Epic of Tsaranaq
The purveyor of evil in the world is Tsaranaq, who is as omnipresent as Naqala. In the Epic of Tsaranaq people were thought of as benevolent angels descendant from the first humans Aadam and Heewan who looked after the earth and were subservient to Naqala's immanent presence.
Tsaranaq questioned Naqala's nature, and eventually turned after discovering the allure of evil and power. Tsaranaq presented himself as a living god and convinced humans to follow him. A great civil war ensued among the people dividing them into tribes. Tsaranaq and his corrupted human army was drowned in great fires, then massive floods destroyed all the crops and finally disease. Their evil had been reflected in Naqala, and her nature had turned wrathful to restore balance. Humans had been corrupted by Tsaranaq and the wrath of Naqala had reduced their physical power to the frail and vulnerable form inherited by humanity today. It is believed humanity must restrain itself from Tsaranaq's temptations in order to sustain balance and happiness in Naqala.
Divine Law
The ethical principles of Emnet are known as the Abirwi, Balancing Acts, and are contained within the Book of Poems. The Balancing Acts teach how to have reconciliation and peace with god, living a life of modesty and good will.
Emanations and Prophets
The main prophet of the Emnet religion is Mother Makara, a matriarch who is told to have brought peace between warring Tuluran kingdoms and form a prosperous confederation between them. Allegedly, Makara had no particular people or tribe she belonged to, as she was sent by a collective of concerned spiritual ancestors to correct the path of humanity so that Naqala is not disturbed.
Mother Makara had a divine, angelic voice which could be heard across the land and brought all warriors to peace. She walked the land's with a Krar instrument, bringing her teachings through song and dance, oral traditions which are still be passed down today. She amassed a large following and held sermons, where she would commonly perform miracles. Through bringing peace to the kingdoms, they lived in balance and abundance.
Then Makara had given birth to twins which was observed as a divine and miraculous happening. The legend of them being birthed upon a hill is called the Tamire Gulara(Miracle Hill), from which the country Tulura gets its name. While Mother Makara is seen as the source of Emnet teachings, the brother and sister twins(Kiliru): Ayzur and Zergaz, were also viewed as divine prophets.
Ayzur and Zergaz grew up under close guardianship of Mother Makara, however from an early age they were legendarily told to contrast eachother. Ayzur was reserved, polite and peaceful, while Zergaz was loud, brazen and outgoing, yet they were very close and balanced one another. It was when Mother Makara died, the two in their disagreement had taken their own interpretations of her gospel and sought out their own followers. The two sides grew ambivalent towards eachother, known as the Ayzur and Zergaz Schools of Makara.
Long after their deaths, the Ayzuri and Zergazi followers fought eachother in devastating cycles of war and prolonged struggle. Once more, Makara would return in the form of High Priestess Amareke. She was deemed the Second Makara, and united the feuding schools through divine will. She finalized the Mazayene, the Book of Poems and standardized Ommere as the liturgical script of the Emnet religion. Ayzur and Zergaz are used as lessons of misinterpreted extremes of Makara's gospel, and is usually taught as a teaching allegory of humanity's dualistic relationship with Naqala.
Practices and Worship
Ancestors
Prayer is committed to paragon ancestors within family's or other groups, as well as patron ancestors who have ascended to become Naqala.
An Emnet follower will typically travel to the local shrine in times of prayer, bringing spices such as frankincense(Boswellia) as well as food like injera bread, tea leaves or raw coffee beans as offerings to Naqala and her guardians. Prayer at shrines isn't strictly defined or regulated by divine law, however it is promoted to confide in ancestral lessons and good deeds through prayer. The more theologically minded will often meditate in reflection at shrines, as they are peaceful and quiet places for the public to relax.