The Gilkesh.
See also:
The Queen's CourtesanGilkesh language homepageThe Gilkesh (the name means “star women”) are a humanoid race believed to be closely linked to modern humans. The exact nature of the relationship, however, remains in dispute. It is unclear whether the Gilkesh arose from humans, or the humans from Gilkesh. There is considerable variation among Gilkeshne in physical characteristics, owing to genetic drift and bioengineering, but overall they tend to exceed baseline humans in physical endurance, strength, mental acuity, agility, and tolerance for adverse conditions. They are nocturnal and have acute night vision. All Gilkesh are female.
In the era of "The Queen's Courtesan", the Gilkesh homeworld faces danger from a space warp and from the shadowy, nihilistic cult called Singularity.
Singularity originated on Shakti, but its membership is no longer confined to the Gilkesh. After the death of its founder Q'ormis (the Q-apostrophe is pronounced like a guttural G, by the way) and her followers, the cult was believed to be extinct but in fact it went underground. With the advent of space travel its members began recruiting converts from among the Humans, the Fao, and the other intelligent races.
For the Gilkesh, space travel is emblematic of the journey away from the "mother planet" and into the larger universe. This is one of the biggest challenges of the mother/daughter dynamic - and the Gilkesh, who have only mothers, understand this. This is why their culture is structured to emphasize the importance of individuation, and why Singularity, with its seductive message of "returning to the source", is in a sense the antithesis of normal Gilkesh values.
Of course on some level we have to make peace with our origins and "return to the source". This is why both Lilith and Eve are important in Gilkesh mythology. In this context, Lilith represents the outward force and the will to live, while Eve represents the ultimate return to the metaphysical "womb". In the Gilkesh tradition, Lilith guards the gates of the underworld, while Eve is the Angel of Death. (Remember, in our Bible, Eve was the bringer of death *before* she was the bringer of life.) You could say that they represent Jupiter and Saturn, respectively, astrologically speaking; or in Jungian terms, Eros and Thanatos.
In the chapter on
Lilith, I have several of the characters giving their interpretations of the symbolism of Lilith in their culture. Notice that Sestris - who is a Singularity adherent - has a very different interpretation from the others. I used the device of the characters addressing the reader in an "aside" (you could picture, as in a movie, the characters speaking directly into the camera) as a way to present the information directly rather than trying to figure out how to work it into the story - especially with Sestris, who is "undercover" and would not normally talk about her beliefs openly with the other characters.
Gilkesh reproduction occurs via parthenogenesis; however, while it is biologically possible for a Gilkesh adult to conceive alone, custom demands that conception occur in the presence of an intimate partner or spouse. The taboo against “lonebirthing” is among the strongest and most universal in Gilkesh culture. This is because the partner’s spiritual influence (or auric field) is deemed essential for the healthy development of the fetus. The partner’s presence allows the mother’s DNA to recombine more creatively than would otherwise be possible; so while the mother’s partner (called the bondmother) does not physically contribute genetic material, she does influence the child’s genetics. It is universally accepted among the Gilkesh that an infant inherits traits from her mother’s partner as well as from her mother. Generally it is assumed that the birthmother (the biological mother) passes on her physical traits, and the bondmother (mother’s partner) passes on personality and spiritual traits.
Many variations on the nuclear family exist. In general, the Gilkesh generally bond in pairs (and not, for example, in threesomes or larger groups), but local and individual practices vary widely. Childrearing follows a crossover pattern: from birth, an infant is nurtured by her birthmother, but gradually – beginning around age three and continuing through adulthood – her bondmother plays a more active role in parenting. The birthmother’s role is as nurturer and protector, the bondmother’s role is as guide and teacher. The proverb, “We grow away from our birthmothers, and toward our bondmothers” encapsulates this idea. The bondmother’s duty is to prepare the girl for adulthood and independence. In a household where both parents have borne children, a child growing up thus has the chance to observe her parents in both roles.
Sex is not a biological prerequisite for procreation, but conception usually occurs during sex. This is considered optimal for the development of the child, since the two mothers’ minds are merged at this moment. Every Gilkeshni (singular) is telepathic to some degree; during sexual arousal, and particularly during orgasm, the usual mental defenses are down and a woman’s mind becomes more transparent to her partner. In the Gilkesh language (as in Hebrew), the verb “to know” is also an idiom for sexual intimacy.
It is important to note that it is the aroused partner whose mind is exposed, and therefore vulnerable. This is why the Gilkesh, although not generally a prudish lot, treat sex with respect. To surrender to pleasure in the arms of another woman is to be leave oneself open. In dysfunctional relationships, one partner may refuse to come, or feign frigidity, in order to gain psychological leverage over the other. Also for this reason, sex with a mentally ill or unstable partner can be risky. And the nature of Gilkesh sex is a natural deterrent to infidelity, since an unfaithful partner may inadvertently reveal memories of an illicit encounter during sex.
Sex is often employed in espionage as well. Sexual telepathy is not the most effective or reliable way of collecting factual data, but it can often provide clues not available through other methods, and is particularly valuable in assessing the subject’s state of mind. For this reason, high-level government and security officials are often required to remain celibate during periods when they may be exposed to sensitive information.
The Queen's Courtesan
