Yeltiye culture

Religion
It all began with a God named khivata He was the first God alive. In our culture, he is known as the "father of the gods". He was living alone in a blank space. When he started to get old, he thought that it was boring and some company wasn't too much. That's why he created a Goddess, khavata, known as the "mother of the gods". Then, they both created 3 kids, Khevata, kheviti and khevati. One day, the children thought that they had the power of creation, like their parents, so why not create a world where they could reign. But they started fighting about who will have more power, so each one wanted to show he was the best. The first kid, ***, created the land, with its animals. He was proud of the beautiful place he created, and they all thought he was the best. But few days later, animals and plants started to die, since there was no water. So the second kid, ***, changed everything into water, and created aquatic animals. He turned to the best one. Then came the third kid, ***, and he thought that it would be better if he combined both ideas. So he created a world with land and water. His creation was considered the best one, and the most beautiful one. He was the one who earned the power. And since that day, the third kid, ***, is the one who has all the power, and the one we worship.

~Elina Karout, Sarah Chahine, Georges Hachem

Ceremonies
1. Mariage: only when it's raining and only family invited

2. Death: put the dead body in a specific building called "waichato" and put mint on it

3. Birth: a mom gives birth in front of the village and the newborn is taken to the temple of our god

~Georges Hachem

Other traditions
1. Hi --> punch from far

2. Bye --> Tap our back

3. You cannot open the window at night.

4. Running is an insult = It means you don't want to talk to the person.

5. People cannot go out at the full moon.

6. When people come to visit you, welcome them by shaking their hand 5 times.

7. Dancing is a compliment and a way to express your happiness.

8. If you insult the religion, you will be cursed.

9. You cannot sing at night, its a major insult.

10. Pointing at people is hospitality and considered as a compliment.

11. Jumping two times in a row means you are happy.

12. Talking fast means you are trying to end a conversation quickly, in an impolite way.

13. Singing is a compliment, except at night.

~Estelle Dib

Food
Main Course:

- tuna

- mais

- onion

- tomato

- cooked wheat

- lemon

- mint leaves

Dessert:

- cocoa

- the water of the cooked wheat

- natural orange juice

- kiwis

- mint leaves

~Semiramis Kazan

Art and Prayer
In our civilisation, the lion symbolises weakness. That's why since our generation believed in *** our brave god, we started killing those animals to mark his name in the history of our existence. And we used his skin in our art to paint him on it like a ghost as we can imagine him because he's the soul who protect us. For us it is a prayer because in our beliefs, that will make this weak creature stronger, just how we want to be thank to our god. We always draw him in white wich is made of mushroom sauce and we always represente our powerlessness with the green color we produce from a kiwi, a peppermint and leaves sauce.

~Semiramis Kazan

Plants
1- Kiwi : Khialev

2- Onion : Chakhwe

3- Mushroom : Njatel

4- Chili Pepper : Khayva

5- Lemon : Faweh

6- Orange : Lekhwek

7- Violet : Favit

8- Zucchini : Chatiley

9- Pumpkin : Akhwey

10- Fig : Fatiley

11- Sunflower : Njakwi

12- Corn : Chitley

13- Oregano : Khaytely

14- Orzya : Vatil

15- Leaf : Chakhitely

16- Plum : Vatel

17- Tomato : Njakhitel

18- Cocoa : Chavif

19- Pea : Njava

20- Grapes : Chantaji

21- Mint : Vakhweh

Animals
1- Taurus = yalekh

2- Wolf = liva

3- Deer = khal

4- Dove = chela

5- Horse = vaطa

6- Zebra = yeli

7- Cat = hekha

8- Hen = aطey

9- Turkey = fley

10- Lion = wehila

11- Tiger = khale

12- Puma = chiy

13- Salmon = hjaط

14- Sardine = akha

15- Pig = vayi

16- Wild boar = chaley

17- Tuna = falekh

~Sarah Chahine, Georges Hachem

Language
http://wiki.champvillemun.org/wiki/File:IMG_4161.JPG