Upon becoming recognized as an adult of your tribe, a young bieggjan is asked to choose what path in life they’d like to take. This most commonly entails formally picking up an occupation within the tribe, beginning to contribute properly for the tribe’s wellbeing, and shouldering the responsibilities associated with adulthood.
Etymology & Definition
The name of this custom is formed from the gjevasudit root words ‘ruu’ (‘to find’) and ‘hyssna’ (‘path’ or ‘trail’). ‘Ruu’ is conjugated into its continuous present form ‘ruuhn’ (‘finding’) leading to the direct translation of ‘finding trail’.
It’s not entirely clear why the name of the custom doesn’t contain the article ‘soha’ (‘the’, ‘a’) before the noun, even though it’d be expected. During localization it’s often added back in, resulting in the common translation of ‘finding the trail’.
History
Origin
The custom appears to be among the oldest on Biegjun, with most studied tribes having oral histories referring to its use even if most don’t actively practice it today.
Modern Practice
The custom has largely fallen into disuse and is only practiced in its entirety by a few numbers of nomadic tribes. It's become increasingly common to incorporate the learning of various available trades within a tribe into the normal education of children, which has led to it being considered unnecessary and obsolete. This has led to the choice of occupation upon reaching adulthood becoming a more mundane event lacking most ceremonial components.
As the custom sees some similarities with the newer custom Kilmppaju, where an individual goes out to search for their personal name, it may be that some parts of this much older custom saw revival and revisal in the newer one.
Observance
Participants
The prime participant in this custom is the newly appointed adult individual that’s about to choose an occupation. Many, if not all, of the adults of a tribe will be involved too in the ritual.
Preparation
The ritual will normally be held off until the tribe reaches a location where they can set up camp for two to three days, in order to ensure that the individual that’s to take on the ritual has enough time to evaluate their choices and make a well-informed decision.
One adult of each occupation that the individual might want to choose from will prepare a minor task for them to do during the day of the ritual’s execution to let them try it out, as well prepare to give a description of what they’d be expected to do, and the different duties associated with that occupation.
Execution
The ritual will typically be carried out for one or two days, depending on how many occupations there are for the prospect to try out. Each adult that agreed to showcase their trade will have prepared a light and simple task for them to fulfil, such as catching a fish or weaving a basket lid, with no pressure on succeeding or creating a fully usable object. It’s only meant to let them try it out.
While in the process of completing the task, or afterward if concentration is required, the adult will let them know what’ll be expected of them if they choose to pick up that occupation. What their duties will be, what their typical daily schedule and work looks like, and so on.
Once having completed the rounds, the individual may take as long as they need to consider their choices. They’re to approach the tribe’s elders once they made their decision who’ll then ensure that they’re assigned to an adult willing to teach them all they need to know to become a fully contributing member of their chosen craft.
I like the idea that it may have transformed into a different, newer custom as the cultures have shifted.
Yeah, I thought it'd be nice to illustrate that culture isn't static with some historical traditions and how things have changed. :) I probably should add some more similarities in the execution between the old and new one though when I can edit this again. It was one of my rushed last entries.