Zembalic

The Zembalic must have been trained by the previous holder of the position as an apprentice. Each Zembalic will choose their successor from their group of apprentices, called Zembala, based on their spiritual aptitude and dedication.

The Zembalic serves the community from the time their predecessor retires or dies. They then serve until old age or death and train the next generation of Zembala and choose who will succeed them.

The community take care of the Zembalic and Zembala, providing them with generous provisions and riches such as jewlery and fine clothes.

The Zembalic is held in high esteem as they lead the community's worship of N'Zembe. They are honored in life and death with fame and community connection.

To lead and guide the Ahiogrisnad spiritually. They additionally protect and maintain any relics, artifacts, and important tablets used in spiritual traditions. They train the next group of spiritual leaders, the Zembala.

They are considered very high status, much esteemed by the community as a whole, equal to the community elders.

The Zembalic has exclusively been held by krethnil members of the community. There is not a specific rule against zirch members holding the position, but they are viewed poorly by the community and not considered to have spiritual aptitude. There have been very few zirch members of the Zembala, and it was only because they demonstrated powerful abilities to communicate with the local fauna and were seen as exceptional prophets (for zirch community members). Even with this, only the krethnil Zembala have ever been chosen as the next Zembalic even if from an outside perspective one of the zirch Zembalic would be more deserving/better at guiding the community spiritually for the next generation.

Initially the community worshipped the Sun deity, but over time this morphed into worshipping N'Zembe directly. There has been a slow accumulation of important writings, oral teachings and traditions, relics, and religious garb added to the spiritual customs and practices. These all fall under the purview of the Zembalic and their Zembala to maintain. The number of traditions that the Zembalic guides the community in has also slightly increased over time. The main annual tradition is the Ka'anala Viruna, which celebrates the end of the wet season. They also speak at Chuvrik ceremonies, of which there are often at least 2-3 per year, often more.

large hand bells, ritual plates, pitchers, stone tablets, chisels

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