The Alyanism faith, a branch of Manism
Alyanism traces its roots to the historical Empress Alya Safavid of Tamora who assumed the throne in the late 13th century under exceptional circumstances. Her very successful reign left a major influence over the Church of Mani where she is venerated alongside the Prophet Mani. After her death, a minority of the clergy of the Church of Mani advocated that the next successor should be a woman, Alya Safavid sole daughter Reza. Their proposal was rejected and they left Tamora heading South where Reza Tavakoli Safavid and her followers settled, causing a split in the church. Since she was married already to Ali Tavakoli and divorce was not permitted, the part of the clergy that followed her granted a dispensation to have another husband, the ruler of one of the local kingdoms in the South, Erfan Asadi. In the following generations, what later would be called Alyanists (followers of Alya) developed a series of separate practices and traditions.
Main differences between Alyanism and Manism:
- The greatest difference is the role of women in society; they are no longer seen as property of their fathers or husbands and enjoy an equal status. Alyanism greatly emphases the complementary role women and men have in the family and society in general. Women are in charge of the household (the kingdom is seen as the largest household) and raising children while men are providers and protectors.
- Polygamy is not allowed and instead polyandry is.
- The monarch must be a woman instead of a male.
- Less emphasis on the preservation of slavery (chattel slavery is not permitted and is replaced with indentured servitude) as a requirement for a just and moral society.
- Less rigidity in the interpretation of religious texts.
- Less emphasis on the Book of Mani and more on the writings and life of Alya Safavid (which plays a much larger role in Alyanism).
- The monarchy has a religious obligation to take care and preserve the wellbeing of its subjects: things like alcohol are not just shunned but illegal, covering the head for women is not just a religious obligation, it must also be a legal one, the monarchy must promote through all means motherhood and fertility.
