Iqoshi {The Circle}
This rite is very closely linked with the Asiya (The Blood Proof), and is seen as a traditional coming of age rite from an adolescent boy to a mature man. The Iqoshi is required for a boy to be viewed as a full man in Yuran society.
History
The Iqoshi, as with the Asiya, is one of Yura's oldest traditions, and was developed Before The Fall, primarily as a response to low life expectancy and high mortality rates during birth. Men were expected to find a wife as soon as they were able to conceive children. Rising life expectancy and health standards for many Yurans mitigated or removed the need for this ritual but, as it is an important component of the Asiya (The Blood Proof) the practice remains.
Execution
The Iqoshi requires that, by the evening of his thirteenth birthday, a young boy is to present himself to the family of a girl who has undergone the Asiya. Upon observation of his sexual capabilities (his ability to ejaculate) by the family the boy is then permitted to have sex with the daughter of the family during her next menstrual cycle. (Children conceived is this rite are always aborted.) Following their sex both children are considered mature adults, and the girl no longer undergoes any aspect of the Asiya.
Participants
The key participants are a young boy and a girl who has gone through her Asiya (The Blood Proof) .
Observance
This rite is observed on a boy's thirteenth birthday.
Related Ethnicities
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