Clan Mother
There are five clans on the watery world of Navaravu: Varavu (ocean), Sahanavu (running water). Lahanavu (still water), Ziravu (frozen water) and Zizanzvu (atmospheric water), and each clan is ruled by a Clan Mother.
Qualifications
The title of Clan Mother is hereditary, passing from first born daughter to first born daughter. If, for any reason, the first born daughter is unable or unwilling to accept the position, it will pass to the next eldest daughter. For this reason, all the daughters of the Clan Mothers begin their training soon after birth, so that, when the time comes, they will be ready to step into the role. In the event that a daughter must assume the role of Clan Mother before she reaches the age of maturity, she will be advised and guided by the Council of Crones which is made up of former Clan Mothers who have already passed the title on to their daughters.
Appointment
When a Clan Mother reaches a point in her life when she feels it is time to relinquish her daily duties and enter the Council of Crones, she passes the title to one of her daughters (usually the first born). Each of the five clans of Navaravu has their own ceremony, involving their respective types of water, to mark this transition, but all of the ceremonies require the new Clan Mother to take a solemn oath to protect, nurture and serve the people of her clan as well as preserving the harmony between all five clans.
Responsibilities
A Clan Mother is expected to live her life in service to the people of her clan. She is responsible for their emotional and physical well-being. She is also required to oversee the use and maintenance of the water and material resources of her clan, as well as ensuring a safe and healthy environment for her people. A Clan Mother must also produce at least two, preferably more, daughters to continue her lineage and ensure that those daughters are properly trained to take over the title of Clan Mother.
Each of the five Clan Mothers is also a member of The Matriarchs which is the ruling council for the entire world of Navaravu. As such, they are responsible for maintaining balance and harmony between the clans, making decisions, through consensus, that affect the world as a whole and speaking for Navaravu in all off-world dealings.
Grounds for Removal/Dismissal
In the event that a Clan Mother becomes unfit to carry out her responsibilities, and refuses to relinquish her title to her daughter, she may be removed from the office by a unanimous vote of the Council of Crones. This has only happened once in recorded history when the Mother of the Varavu (ocean) Clan attempted to elevate herself and her clan above all others and insisted that she alone had the authority to rule the world for eternity. After her removal from office, she was found to be suffering from a mental and emotional imbalance. Her daughter, the new Clan Mother, ensured that she received treatment and compassionate care for the remainder of her life.
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