13 Sisters

The 13 sisters are the pantheon of traditional Cershe religion, known as Osureeshu. Each of them represents a virtue, or Eermizéed, as well as an instrument in the tradition Cershe ensemble.

Each Sister: A Summarary

Meyg

The polite and dog-like Meyg, the eldest girl. She is patron of the virtue améeshi - polite, gregarious, dignified. Many hold potraits or some sort of depiction of the Sister, held close to hearts and kissed before dealing with outsiders. Her instrument is the Diigeshé, a 4-stringed, fretted zither.

Dachio

When they hear the virtue of afaneshi (courage, endurance, resillience) and its mistress Dachio, young boys often giggle. Though they are quick to stiffle it. It is said she causes moutains to rumble if wronged too harshly. They stop entirely when they realise, she is their primary saviour on their Pilgrimage to Nowhere.
Her instrument is the rumbling Eynsasényfe. Taller than most men and certainly most women, it is the older sister of the Eynsaséngshi and Eynsén. It is often hidden behind the other players when stories are told. A shame. But we hide courage oftentimes too.

Góshovashó

Góshovashó, the 3rd of the girls. Oath breaking is the highest out on the Ochozofazu Mountains peaks. But before you seek up vengence, you may be told to sit with your thoughts and Góshovashó, lady of goéchu - the tender virtue. Her instrument is the roaring Iinwi. A metal (or bone) flute of 6 holes. It soars over the rest of the rest of the players with sheer glee. Sometimes it can get lost, which it seems to be doing more so these days. Maybe it is to do with all the foriegners coming in a prostletysing.

Éshóryshu

Éshóryshu is a quiet woman. She simply continues to work without much complaint. Fitting that her virtue is osuewb, discipline. She represents the Eynsén, the middle. It follows its sisters faithfully, keeping an oath of eternal friendship.

Goge

Goge, the fifth sister. She represents the Temperance, Modesty, Self-control and restraint, genarsée. She also corresponds to the Eshiiyed. Played by the wisest with its many strings. Serene and peaceful, usually only adding accompliments in busy numbers of Cershe dance and storytelling.

Rigise

One of the Cershe Virtues is a responsibility and hard work, or rigiod. It corresponds to Rigise, the 6th of the girls. She also takes on the Eynsaséngshi, said to be the hardest instrument, much to the chagrin of musicians.

Enizizi

Enizizi. The middle sister with the virtue of géoshu, refinement. She represents the Ézégóni - the great roaring drum. It's hard to master, maybe not like the stringed Eynsaséngshi, but drums are hard to sound good.
Many call to her in prayer but she never responds. Some say she may be lost to this world, or some other story. It varies a lot. As stories do.

Éshéeod

It is hard to keep Éedagé in your heart sometimes. It is common to call out for Éshéeod, patron of generous spirits. Her instrument is the ShémésargiIsa. Made of bone or metal keys struck with two mallets.

Ézaséngshi

The ninth is the Osóshurg, the heart drum. A percussion instrument that can be shook or tapped to make noise. The most joyful of instruments. In Cershe music, a person emobdying her spirit serves as rythm keeper. Just as, so the phrase goes, joy is the beat to which all other instruments folow.
Fitting since it's mistress is Ézaséngshi, of joy and beauty, ofócho. She does not speak much, her cinnabar-coloured lips locked shut most of time. But she sure does make an impression on people
Joy, Beauty

Ézavarb

Justice, Order
Ézavarb is the mistress of norgo - virtue of law, order and justice. She sits head of every council held in these mountains. Her symbols keep vigil over every village hall. Her instrument, the long, deep Bazeyfe horn, is rarely played for long. Order and law should not be shouted, and so her instrument is understated so the reasoning goes.

Chonyasheé

Sometimes it is difficult to stay loyal to your clan, your community when the going gets tough. So like her sister, Chonyasheé, patron of mache is often called on.
Her instrument is the two-stringed, bowed Changozé. Versatile but so very quiet. It is the instrument that varies most.

Ise

Depending on depiction, Ise can be both a regular woman, one with 100 eyes, or a crow. It really does vary like so many thing. Her virtue is ongémubonuzi - wisdom or forsight.
The Bémbénsézéena, nicknamed the Traveller's Eynsaséngshi

Ishéri

The youngest is the mistress of good health. Clean places are essitential to partake in many virtues - how may you be polite if your house is without iziiza? Her dresses are always white. She is always grinning. Even in the frost her cheeks refuse to do so much as flush.
She represents the Changornyóo, a lute-like instrument with 11 strings and no frets. People love to argue about its origin. Is it truly Chershe? Does it deserve to be in traditional music? But that is a very different story

Music

Wish to know more? See Cershe Music

The Dead Sister

However, many outsiders will talk of twelve goddesses as one is considered "dead". The core tenants surrounding Cershe religion align with pleasing her. According to folk tales, the city of the dead, [a]