Intergalactic Summit

From The Stowaway's Guide to the Real Republic™, YC115 Edition

It has been noted that the Minmatar are a fractious people in some respects, yet regardless of current loyalties, they as a people can be traced to common origins. In anthropological studies of nomadic traditions of justice, particularly that between families and clans of the Matari tribes, a recurring theme is a redress of grievances that social scientists often refer to as obviation. These are typically semi-formal ceremonies where figurative hatchets may be buried, actual debts may be forgiven, and proverbial seeds of goodwill may be sown between individuals, families, or clans.

Essentially, a rite of obviation is a somewhat formal ceremony, led by a non-affiliated shaman, wherein an offending member of the Tribes may petition or appeal to the offended party (pursuant to some form of dispute) in an attempt at a normalization of relations. The extent and nature of offenses covered by obviation are broad, but do not include the most serious crimes. The particulars of the ceremony vary from clan to clan and Tribe to Tribe, but most clans recognize the rite as not only critically important to spiritual well-being, but also as a valid and legal form of reparations. In most cases, participation is restricted to those of pure or mixed Tribal blood, but the stipulations are relaxed by some clans: generally those located in areas with greater non-Matari populations or outside of the Republic.

There are some interesting nuances to the functions of the ceremony, such as what is done if involved parties wish to participate, but cannot. Either party to the obviation has the option to select a Second, in whom the concerned party places faith to conduct all matters relevant to the reconciliation. The Second is completely at the prerogative of that concerned party, and they may be of any race, bloodline, or political affiliation; as far as the rite is concerned, they are indivisible from the Matari they represent. The selection of a Second is not taken lightly, as one can imagine, but it is a means for non-Matari to support their friends of the Tribes. Poor selection, or poor behavior from a Second, will reflect just as badly if not worse on the Matari who selects said individual.

Traditionally, no participant may choose the shaman presiding over the obviation, so that responsibility typically falls upon a neutral host, which can be an individual, Circle, Family, or Clan (often capitalized in reference to specific groups). That neutral party may not participate in the ritual proceedings, but may only act as a mediator before or after the rite. In the event that a petitioner wishes to obviate with the dead, the shaman will act as Second for the ancestors.