Marriage and Pregnancy
BONDING (MARRIAGE)
Marriage in Jagat is called bonding. Typically people bond when they are 23 or older. It is possible to bond before this age, but it is very uncommon due to the rigorous process of apprenticeship and training. Bonding does not require royal permission, and as such, it is possible to join, break up the next day, and join with someone the day after that. However, bonding lightly is heavily frowned upon. Bonding is meant to be a lifetime commitment.
When two people decide to bond, traditionally they will tell their parents and siblings of their decision, and it will be the job of those parents and siblings to plan the bonding ceremony. Bonding ceremonies are very different from wedding ceremonies - bonding ceremonies tend to be more about fun and laughter than pomp and ceremony. Anyone may attend, as long as they bring a gift and wish well for the couple. Friendly strangers are welcomed. Games are set about for all to take part in. The new couple commonly take part in games designed to 'predict their futures'; for example, bobbing for fruits with numbers carved into them to show the number of children they will have is very popular.
Halfway through the ceremony, the actual joining will take place. The couple must look into each others' eyes while grasping the left wrist of their partner. They will then recite a spell of eternal love and happiness. A white glow (or gold, if one partner is of royal blood) will encircle them, and by the time it fades silvery tattoos will have formed on each partner's wrist. The tattoos will fade if the couple falls out of love. Death does not affect the tattoo; it becomes permanent once a bonded person has passed on, and if someone were to lose their partner, their tattoo would remain in place until they moved on. It is very important to note that the joining spell will ONLY work if the couple is truly deeply in love. If they are not, nothing will happen - the glow will not appear and no tattoos will be made. Failed bonding ceremonies are one of the biggest humiliations possible on Jagat, so joining for money, privilege, or anything other than love is not attempted.
PREGNANCY & CHILDBIRTH
Pregnancy in Jagat is cherished. Pregnancy will typically last 12 months for mothers who are Jagatian, and 9 months for mothers who are human. Pregnancy symptoms are very close for both species. Miscarriages in Jagat are very, very uncommon, so women will begin telling their loved ones as soon as they know they are expecting. A small celebration will be held at the 6-8 month mark, consisting of the close friends and family of the couple coming together to congratulate them. Once the baby is born, a larger celebration is held in honor of the new life. More distant friends and faraway cousins may be invited to meet the new addition. Helpful gifts are given to the new parents, such as cloth diapers, blankets, and baby clothes.
As multiples are so rare in Jagat, twins are seen as an incredible blessing and a sign of great luck to come.
Couples, and even single adults, do have the option of adopting a child from the Orphanage of Yatima. If this is the case, a celebration is held to welcome the new child into the family.
Marriage in Jagat is called bonding. Typically people bond when they are 23 or older. It is possible to bond before this age, but it is very uncommon due to the rigorous process of apprenticeship and training. Bonding does not require royal permission, and as such, it is possible to join, break up the next day, and join with someone the day after that. However, bonding lightly is heavily frowned upon. Bonding is meant to be a lifetime commitment.
When two people decide to bond, traditionally they will tell their parents and siblings of their decision, and it will be the job of those parents and siblings to plan the bonding ceremony. Bonding ceremonies are very different from wedding ceremonies - bonding ceremonies tend to be more about fun and laughter than pomp and ceremony. Anyone may attend, as long as they bring a gift and wish well for the couple. Friendly strangers are welcomed. Games are set about for all to take part in. The new couple commonly take part in games designed to 'predict their futures'; for example, bobbing for fruits with numbers carved into them to show the number of children they will have is very popular.
Halfway through the ceremony, the actual joining will take place. The couple must look into each others' eyes while grasping the left wrist of their partner. They will then recite a spell of eternal love and happiness. A white glow (or gold, if one partner is of royal blood) will encircle them, and by the time it fades silvery tattoos will have formed on each partner's wrist. The tattoos will fade if the couple falls out of love. Death does not affect the tattoo; it becomes permanent once a bonded person has passed on, and if someone were to lose their partner, their tattoo would remain in place until they moved on. It is very important to note that the joining spell will ONLY work if the couple is truly deeply in love. If they are not, nothing will happen - the glow will not appear and no tattoos will be made. Failed bonding ceremonies are one of the biggest humiliations possible on Jagat, so joining for money, privilege, or anything other than love is not attempted.
PREGNANCY & CHILDBIRTH
Pregnancy in Jagat is cherished. Pregnancy will typically last 12 months for mothers who are Jagatian, and 9 months for mothers who are human. Pregnancy symptoms are very close for both species. Miscarriages in Jagat are very, very uncommon, so women will begin telling their loved ones as soon as they know they are expecting. A small celebration will be held at the 6-8 month mark, consisting of the close friends and family of the couple coming together to congratulate them. Once the baby is born, a larger celebration is held in honor of the new life. More distant friends and faraway cousins may be invited to meet the new addition. Helpful gifts are given to the new parents, such as cloth diapers, blankets, and baby clothes.
As multiples are so rare in Jagat, twins are seen as an incredible blessing and a sign of great luck to come.
Couples, and even single adults, do have the option of adopting a child from the Orphanage of Yatima. If this is the case, a celebration is held to welcome the new child into the family.