Hlutrgú religion: remembrancing the instances and modalities of torment
Hlutrgú: one of the "inimical races" of Tékumel, a species whose culture, cognitive processes, perhaps their very physiology cries out for human death, torment, and extinction. The estemed author, M.A.R.Barker,رحمه اللــه , believed in alien unknowableness, but also wrote that he didn't care to know what the inimical races thought. On blueroom posts and elsewhere, the Professor articulated a view that even humans from cultural extremes are incapable of mutual understanding, of having a clue what this being is about. Yr hmbl Satrap is of a different mind, in terms of human scholars (of our world, perhaps, or the Empire of Man that terraformed Tékumel real, real, hard) coming to observational and theoretical conclusions; and mutatis mutandis for the Hlutrgú. Thus the Satrap writes for the many alternate Tékumels across the planes. More on the immane skullfaced frogs remains to be prised from notebooks, along with Shen, Serudla, and the seemingly related reptilian species.
Religion: Hlutrgú perform rituals employing large portions of any concerned village, war band, or the entire region. Most rituals occur not in the villages but in the swamp, shoreline, at sea, or in human territories, corresponding with the Hlutrgú narrative of permanent exile in a world inimical to them. Ritual observances do not occur in their places of safety, but outside the bounds of comfort, within the domain of war and enmity. Some of the asexual leaders of the batrachioids function as priests; the sexless ones lead in part because they are not tempted by sexual demons or those spirits that induce sire and dame to maim, kill, or devour their young. The sexless are identified with the Hlutrgú as a whole and can direct the evil power of the spirits against prey and foes, as well as ritual attacks on the universe as a whole. While the sexless act as priests, all Hlutrgú hear and feel and see the spirit world all around them. The populace acts as a whole, the better to exploit one set of spirits by furthering the goals of the Race, and to leave no individual alone to become individually possessed, obeying the spirit's orders, which may well suit the desires of the lone possessee, but seldom helps the populace. The capering and hideous music of Hlutrgú ceremonial has the pleasure of a vice. The unceasing recitation of the Race's memories, grudges, lore & exhortations to vengeance takes on powerful insistence in these phases. Dance movements and ritual gestures heighten the sense of identification with their wronged ancestors, with the cultural heroes of legendary cruelty and power, and with the spirits or ancestors active in the ritual. The complex masks of gold, bone, and green chem wood signify a specific ancestor, demon, or other spirit.