We all have heard or already have taken part in on of those gorean ceremonies you may find now and then in the Cities in second life. I would like to give you a short overview. Please feel free to add whatever you think it is missing*smiles
I will start with two for today, others might follow as soon as I find the time
Citizenship and the oath of allegianceIt is not only a matter of birth to become a citizen of a certain City and thus claim the cities home stone. The young men and women have to seek actively for citizenship and its concomitant rights, when they reach the age of intellectual majority. That age isn’t stated in the books and probably varies from city to city. Reading the books it may commonly be something around the age of 16.
The requirements for obtaining citizenship differ from one city to another, but you may find some communalities. The citizenship ceremony includes the oath of allegiance to the city by touching or kissing the home stone. The home stone is sacred and should under any circumstances never be touched by slaves. To touch the home stone is instant death penalty for a slave.
“I am surprised to hear such sentiments,” I said,“from those who must once have held and kissed the Home Stone of Ar.”
This was a reference to the citizenship ceremony which, following the oath of allegiance to the city, involves an actual touching of the city’s Home Stone. This may be the only time in the life of a citizen of the city that they actually touch the Home Stone. In Ar, as in many Gorean cities, citizenship is confirmed in a ceremony of this sort. Nonperformance of this ceremony, upon reaching intellectual majority, can be a cause for expulsion from the city. The rationale seems to be that the community has a right to expect allegiance from its members. Vagabonds of Gor, p. 303
In some Cities they may also be a sharing of bread, salt and fire included in the ceremony. To get a citizen you might need some of the existing citizens, who aren’t consanguineous with you to vouch for you. It isn’t unusual that you might have to pass special tests, likely concerning matters as the history and laws of the city and you might have to face a questioning by a committee of citizens concerning your worthiness to be a citizen. After you fulfilled all of those requirements you may receive the laurel wreath and mantle of citizenship, with all of its concomitant rights.
Btw there is a gorean word for being a citizen "civitatis" which means "of the city of". For example, "Tarl civitatis Ko-ro-ba" essentially means that Tarl is a citizen of Koroba.
“In the center of the amphitheater was a throne of office, and on this throne, in his robe of state a plain brown garment, the humblest cloth in the hall, sat my father, Administrator of Ko-ro-ba, once Ubar, War Chieftain of the city. At his feet lay a helmet, shield, spear, and sword.
"Come forward, Tarl Cabot," said my father, and I stood before his throne of office, feeling the eyes of everyone in the chamber on me. Behind me stood the Older Tarl. I had noted that those blue Viking eyes showed almost no evidence of the previous night. I hated him, briefly.
The Older Tarl vas speaking. "I, Tarl, Swordsman of Ko-ro-ba, give my word that this man is fit to become a member of the High Caste of Warriors."
Then, beginning with the lowest tier, each member of the Council spoke in succession, giving his name and pronouncing that he, too, accepted the word of the blond swordsman. When they had finished, my father invested me with the arms which had lain before the throne. About my shoulder he slung the steel sword, fastened on my left arm the round shield, placed in my right hand the spear, and slowly lowered,the helmet on my head.
"Will you keep the Code of the Warrior?" asked my father.
"Yes," I said, "I will keep the Code."
"What is your Home Stone?" asked my father.
Sensing what vas wanted, I replied, "My Home Stone is the Home Stone of Ko-ro-ba."
"Is it to that city that you pledge your life, your honor, and your sword?" asked my father.
"Yes," I said.
"Then," said my father, placing his hands solemnly on my shoulders, "in virtue of my authority as Administrator of this city and in the presence of the Council of High Castes, I declare you to be a Warrior of Ko-ro-ba."” Tarnsman of Gor, p. 62 - 63
It might be interesting to let you know that in some Cities you may find
the bleeding of a home stone as ceremony. The procedure will take place in front of the home stone, where the leader of the Community (Ubar, Administrator) will announce that you have asked to become a citizen and part of the community. Also he will point out want is expected of you.
Afterwards you will need to repeat the oath of allegiance. Mostly the oath includes your statement that you will defend the City, its citizens and its home stone with your life. The Ubar/Administrator will ask for your agreement, if you agree he will offer you a ceremonial dagger. With this dagger you need to cut a slice across the palm of your shield hand. Then make a fist with this hand over the sacred home stone and squeeze out a few blood drops onto the stone to seal the oath with your blood. The dagger would be handed back and you turn yourself facing the community and saluting with the phrase “Ta Sardar Gor” which means “To the Priest Kings of Gor”
Finally it is more a privilege to be a citizens than a right. Citizenship isn’t automatically retained throughout one’s life.
"Citizenship, or its retention, on other than a nominal basis, in some cities, is contingent on such things as attending public ceremonies, such as an official semi-annual taking of auspices, and participating in numerous public assemblies, some of which are called on short notice." Dancer of Gor, p.302-303
As I mentioned it before as a citizen you are considered to owe allegiance to your City and thus to exercise one’s duties it is owed to the City. Also you have to work in your Caste.
"A man who refused to practice his livelihood or strove to alter status without the consent of the Council of High Castes was, by definition, an outlaw and subject to impalement." Tarnsman of Gor, p.46
Even if it is rare on Gor, it is possible to change your citizenship and swear loyalty to a new home stone. But be aware (whether the gorean world in second life is “slightly” different to the books and travelling is a quick thing) that one doesn’t change a home stone as some do change their panties. One’s loyalty to a home stone normally is a pretty strong matter and remains. Apart from that most of the Goreans don’t travel that much, thus they won’t have a lot of contact to other cities. Also the separation from your relatives and Caste Members runs contrary to the common norms of Gor.
“The sharing of a Home Stone is no light thing in a Gorean city.” Slave Girl of Gor, p. 394
Thus it isn’t that easy – if you are new to Gor in second life just take your time before you choose a home stone or better said before you apply for a citizenship. F.e. stay in a City as a guest, watch the other citizens interacting, how do they behave towards those that are new on Gor, are they friendly and offering help or do they stick among themselves? What would be expected of a citizen by the High Council, the Caste or the Ubar/Administrator? Go and have a closer look if the community within the city fits with your interests.
Disownment CeremonyA family can disown one of their own members through an oath of disownment. This is an irreversible ceremony and is not invoked without careful consideration. The victim loses all ties to their family and Caste. This ceremony exists within many cities and it is also part of the Warrior Caste Codes. For example, in Hunters of Gor, Marlenus disowned Talena according to the rites of Ar and also his Caste Codes. To do so, he placed one hand on the hilt of his sword, the other on his city medallion, and swore the oath of disownment. It may be possible for a member of the Warrior Caste to simply swear upon the hilt of his sword to complete this oath of disownment without the need of the city rite. It is unknown if other Castes have similar oaths of disownments in their Caste Codes.
http://www.gor-now.net/delphius2002/id95.htmThe spoken words may be “This person/name is disowned and thus no longer a member of our family/caste”
to be continued soon with Ceremonies for Free Companionship, funerals, collaring, branding...
