Alkabism

Alkabism was the very first religion to be founded. It stemmed from increasing social interaction between Lycaon pictus and Homo sapiens. Being the first religion, it was widespread in the human populace and became the predominant religion of Homo sapiens, further influencing the development of other religions. It is split into several beliefs, with a branch known as Nile Alkabism.

Mythology
There are several beliefs in Alkabism. The most popular belief that has dated back to the founding of this religion is that dogs are the spirits of ancestors, who have returned to life to assist the living. There is also the belief that the ones most skilled at training the dogs are able to commune with these spirits. Another popular belief, which sprung up much later in history, was that dogs were beings from the underworld and an extension of the warrior's spirit. When a warrior dies, his dog's children are believed to be the warrior's spirit coming back to assist his tribe.

Practices
There are no widespread practices due to the primitiveness of this religion, but some practices are tied to some beliefs. Those most skilled at training the dogs are revered. In certain areas, if a warrior dies in battle, the dog must eat his heart. A ceremony is then held once the dog has children. In the Nile branch, they have several rituals and human sacrifices to please the dogs. It is also believed that the religion may have quickened the domestication of dogs all around the world.

Branches
Alkabism is split into several beliefs, but the only one prominent enough to be considered a branch of its own is Nile Alkabism.

Nile Alkabism
Main article: Nile Alkabism

Nile Alkabism is the more extreme version of Alkabism, performing several rituals and even human sacrifices. After the collapse of the Levantine protoculture and the subsequent refugees from the region, they incorporated aspects of Ehyehism, believing in a high god that ruled over humans and another deity that ruled over dogs.

Inspired Religions
While Alkabism did not directly cause the creation of a new religion, it did influence several religions. Some religions have dogs as the pets of the underworld, attributed to Alkabist influence.

History
As early as 190,000 BCE, there was already a fair number of interactions between the highly social Lycaon pictus and Homo sapiens. At first, only individual wild dogs interacted with humans. But, as thousands of years passed, entire packs began to co-habitate with humans. Some began aiding humans on their hunts, leading to the first Alkabist beliefs. Eventually, by 170,000 BCE, Lycaon pictus became domesticated, further developing these bonds. As humans spread across the planet, most communities retained these Alkabist beliefs.

Around 110,000 BCE, the people in the Nile began having ritualistic tendencies and human sacrifices, leading to the birth of Nile Alkabism. It is believed that the second most popular Alkabist belief appeared around this time period. Alkabism remained dominant for the next millennia, but is steadily going into a decline with the formation of protocultures.