All the inhabitants of the island practice a form of ancestor veneration, characterized by the general belief that one's ancestors remain spirits that guide their descendants as long as they are properly remembered. If forgotten or disrespected, they merge back into the formless and universal ether that all souls come from; particularly powerful spirits may instead become vengeful demons that bring disease and bad fortune. In general, it's not necessary to remember the exact names and deeds of family members beyond a few generations back, although some families in the larger towns and cities keep extensive records of names. Criminals and outcasts are deliberately forgotten, and their names scratched from the records.

Animals, plants, and some geographic features also have spirits, which for the most part don't linger after death. Some landmarks, such as particularly old trees, well-known rock formations, or springs have small shrines associated with them. Visitors bring offerings of food, drink, and small trinkets in exchange for protection granted by the spirit of the shrine.

The ruling class of the Highlands is traditionally considered to be descended from Vatun, the spiritual incarnation of the sun. A popular trend among the urban elite is to pay their respects only to Vatun, who is elevated to the status of world creator and sustainer. The current queen, as a direct descendant of Vatun, encourages this. The recent events have been blamed by some on this turning away from traditional religious practices.