Koçer religion

The Koçeri faith is an ancient spiritual tradition followed by its adherents who are known as Pawichs. It centers around reverence for the sun, seen not as a deity but as a life-giving, illuminating force. The faith's origins are shrouded in mystery, with beliefs and rituals passed down orally through generations and guarded closely by spiritual leaders known as Malims. While inclusive of other faiths, the Koçeri faith requires devotion to the sun.

Beliefs and Practices
The Pawichs revere the sun for its vital essence rather than worshipping it as a god. To them, the sun represents the ultimate source of life, warmth, and illumination in the world.

Daily life and spirituality are closely interlinked for the Pawichs. Each tribe or individual is guided by a Malim, chosen for their wisdom. Malims are the custodians of Koçeri rituals, prayers, and oral traditions. They provide spiritual guidance not just to their own tribe but often to multiple tribes. Even sedentary Pawichs, those who exist outside the tribal structure, receive spiritual guidance from designated Malims.

Key rituals include personal sun veneration rituals and baptisms conducted by Malims. Initiation requires new adherents to renounce previous religious responsibilities, pledge devotion to the sun, and undergo a unique baptism in east-flowing water supervised by a Malim.

Creation Story
The Koçeri oral tradition contains many myths about the origins of the world and the Koçeri faith, the veracity of which cannot be confirmed and is not well known in non-Koçeri circles.

One persistent story tells of the sun emerging in an endless void, bringing light and chasing away darkness. The first beings came into existence under the sun's nurturing rays. They built temples and made offerings to honor the source of life.

But a great evil rose up, envious of the sun's power. Deceitfully it lured some beings to join its dark kingdom underneath the earth. They became demonic servants, bringing death and destruction to the world.

The sun raged and battled the darkness, but many innocent beings suffered. Now the sun must continually renew its strength by traveling through the underworld each night, bringing light to the darkness before emerging victorious at dawn.

The faithful continue rituals to honor the sun, so its vigilance and blessing may persist. For if darkness prevails and the sun's light goes out, all life is doomed. Thus each new day is cherished as a gift and chance to spread goodness in the world.

Religious Hierarchy
At the top of the Koçeri religion sits the Malimê Malim, or "Malim of Malims," the highest spiritual authority. The current Malimê Malim is Bawerdar, who provides guidance to all Pawichs and other Malims alike.

The Malims are the main spiritual leadership. Recognized for their wisdom, they are the custodians of the faith's oral traditions and oversee key rituals. Each Malim has two Malims: The Malimê Malim and a fellow Malim, in this case known as a Bilind. If a pawich disagrees with the decisions of his malim, the pawich can go to his bilind, who is the malim of the malim, and voice his complaints about his malim.

This hierarchy ensures spiritual guidance of the Pawichs while keeping the religious leaders accountable to each other and preserving the ancient rites and beliefs of the Koçeri faith through the Malim lineage.