Kìfùism

Kìfù was originally the word for the practice of ancestor veneration, but now is used to refer to the associated religious beliefs and practices traditional to the Aromo people in Vircazihm.

In its modern form is highly syncretic with Shungyism. Its theology involves vitalism and polytheism. The core practice is the worship of ancestors and deities. The more ancient a lineage, the more powerful the ancestors are believed to be. The monarchs of the Knoptaban dynasty, past and present, are considered divine beings and as such are included in prayers and worship. Kìfùism values extraordinary traits and abilities and reveres people living and dead who have shown extraordinary courage, strength, beauty, or intelligence. Such traits are believed to be signs of divine nature and in death such individuals are elevated to a semi-divine status. The primary gods of Kìfùism are the goddess Orosem and the god Wokkim.

Kìfùism is observed by many Aromo in combination with Shungyism, with a focus on ancestor veneration and attainment of immortality. It is more often the sole or primary religion by the Aromo nobility and elite.

Vital Power
The concept of shèyvni la is usually translated as vital power, or vital energy but is sometimes translated as soul strength. Shèyvni means life in the sense of vitality and also means soul, and differs from the concept of biological life which is denoted by a different word, tìl. La by itself can be defined as energy, strength, and stamina.

It can be broken down into two concepts, (1) vital energy and (2) vital attributes. All living things have vital energy, but

Deities
The ancient Jovites and Aromites had a large pantheon of deities. In the middle ages worship of most deities were dropped save for the two leading deities who are the central focus of worship, today.

Orosem, Goddess of the Sun
Orosem has been the leading goddess of Kìfùism since ancient times. The female principle always precedes the male in Kìfùism reflecting the matrilineality of the Jovites and ancient Aromites.

In ancient times, Orosem was depicted with a feline head and a solar disk on her chest. Anthropomorphic depictions are rare in modern temples and she is usual depicted as a winged sun disk from which sprouts a white lotus. Her symbols are the sun, the leopard, the white lotus, and fire.

She has many vital attributes but her three primary attributes are beauty-serenity, keen-awareness, lifegiving-love.

Wakkim, God of the Rain
He is symbolized by the hawk, the serpent, the blue lotus, and the lightning Bolt. He is sometimes depicted as a winged snake and sometimes as a warrior with a spear-lightning, standing on the back of a large serpent.

His primary vital powers are fearless-strength, cunning-insight, and perseverance-in-suffering.