sjàDhë̀sian
Those who speak Dhë̀sian. They live on the eastern side of the Omize Taleo (specifically the Ivok range) in the narrow band of east-central Sefutji.
Records note that this area has been populated by this ethnic group for almost a millenia. Legends within the sjàDhë̀sian note that the 'angels' of the Creator led them from a barren, war-torn, and toxic land to a realm of hope and plentiful resources. Where they were allowed to exist in peace and earn the trust of this new land.
Scholars now believe that the 'angels' referenced in these legends were likely the Dragios, and since these legends give them a trusting and benevolent nature, scholars wonder if the Rebel faction was the instigators of this migration. There is little to no Dragios Ruins - Egoni on the eastern side of the Omize Taleo - all ruins were located on the western side, specifically around Supki. It seems likely the rebels organized on the eastern side and used the hidden cavern paths to reach the Dragios western base for their liberation of humankind. Legends of the sjàDhë̀sian engaging in a joint attack on the 'demons of the west' leads credence to this theory, that perhaps the rebels brought in further help from humanity's former home to aid in the revolution that dawned the time of Silence.
Systems of Governance
The sjàDhë̀sian engage in a form of communalism. Decisions are made in the communal phák̊ï̄v house that tends to be on the north side of the central commons. People from all across the town come and break into groups to discuss various topics and situations facing the village. Once agreement is made, they put it to a vote for the entire community. Then delegates from the town travel to the central town of Dhë̀sian land, where they argue for the policies that could help other villages as well. In the central town's phák̊ï̄v house each set of delegates get a chance to argue for their policies, and once everyone has had a chance to speak on each, a vote is done. Whatever has the majority is enacted across all villages, and the delegates return home with these new creeds to enact and enforce as the community sees fit. This way of being has been a cornerstone of Dhë̀sian culture. They are strong believers in community care.Cosmology
Legends have been told for a millenia about how angels brought them to this new world to battle great demons, and now they live within the valleys as a gift for their help. The angels then ascended to the heavens, and the constellations are their mark on the sky as a reminder of the legacy of liberation that must be remembered.Naming Traditions
Family names
Chosen/Birth Name + Family Name + Name of Town
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Dhë̀sian is their primary language, though there are dialects interspersed within the surrounding mountains from the Dhë̀sian's most populated towns (a cluster of loosely connected towns in the valley across the mountains from Supki). To the north-east, the dialect tends to add a nasal component to the vowels. To the south-east, the nasal consonants are palatalized along with alveolar consonants.
Shared customary codes and values
Hospitality is seen as crucial to the wellbeing of the tribe. All visitors are offered drinks and food, and if they are traders from far away, they are given the garden shed's attic for sleeping. A bed and table is always prepared and ready in the attic of the garden shed, or if no shed exists, the attic of the home.
Sharing of drink and/or food such as a niat fruit as one greats another is seen as a way to honor the bonds between people. It is considered rude to not offer one another drink or food upon greeting or visiting.
Stealing, murder, sexual assault and harassment, and related crimes are seen as abhorrent. A village trial is conducted, with the elderly matrons of each family serving as jury. The accused brings forward their case and the victim brings forward their case privately, as to avoid further trauma of the victim. The jury deliberates and may call for the temple priest to investigate further. If the evidence is clear enough, the jury will render judgement. Depending on the crime, the judgement includes: servitude to the harmed family for a specific amount of time; exile from the village to be killed on sight if they try to return; or a fine where part of the accused's money or estate is confiscated and becomes part of the village commons, to be shared among all families until the accused redeems themself. Redemption requires undergoing temple service.
Art & Architecture
Architecture
A lot of towns are carved into the mountains themselves with long meandering ramps that sweep around the carved homes. These ramps end on the valley floor, where water mills are located if there is a river or there is a large amphitheater like structure for town celebrations and political decision-making rallies. There are interior passages that serve as a sort-of-road that crisscross between homes and a large underground market cavern, where most of their trade takes place. The outside of the carved towns have intricately carved designs, many painted in brilliant colors and hues. For towns that are located in the center of larger valleys, the stone buildings are built in concentric rings around a central meeting-place / commons. Sometimes adobe is used in the building materials depending on how close to the coast the towns are and if there is abundant clay materials in the soil. All buildings tend toward a dome or triangular shape with a fire hole / chimney at its apex.ART
Textile art full of bright colors and geometric designs are common. Mosaic art is also fairly common as well as metal and stone sculptures that are decorated with bright hues. Painting and textile work is often taught from a young age, where the youth will apprentice with an expert to learn best practices. The youth also attends a sort-of school centered around how to be in community, which also includes languages, writing skills, political engagement, and culinary skills.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
Festivals are held at the start and end of each season. The temple priest and any acolytes will lead a procession through the village and into the forest or mountain paths to a wide vale. A temporary altar has been constructed in the center of this vale, and children with assistance from their caretakers often put up decorations the evenings prior to the procession. The priest and acolytes lead everyone in songs of joy for the good that has happened this past season and songs of sorrow for the sad/bad things that have happened. Those who have committed crimes and seek redemption often assist by providing the food and drink and standing on the edges of the vale, waiting for requests from those that need help, need food, or need drinks. The villagers then dance and recount tales for the rest of the evening.
Any births or naming ceremonies are often conducted the day after the initial celebration, and the union rituals for couples are the third day after the initial celebration.
Birth & Baptismal Rites
One of the most crucial birth rites is the burying of the placenta in the Earth. It is seen as a way of binding the child to the land. This binding of the people to the land is a sacred honor and commitment to honor the land, work with the land, and protect the land. The belief that the land is a sentient being to be respected and treated with care and dignity is the roots of this rite.
Funerary and Memorial customs
Several fingers are cut from the dead, and then the body is burned and their ashes mixed with the local fungi. The fungi-ashes are buried within circular structures, with the fingers buried atop as a symbol of person's work with the land. The person's favorite items are placed against the wall of the circular structures, along with food and water for the afterlife. It is seen that this returning to the land, to let the land soak the individual back into its mesh, is a way to live beyond the mortal life. To enrich the land as it has enriched their lives.
Ideals
Gender Ideals
This tribe recognizes up to five genders.
Courtship Ideals
The young person courts another gender by engaging them in dance during festivals, and by assisting their parents in tasks which require two to complete, allowing the young person to talk to the other person. The mother of the young person, then goes to the parents of the person to ask them for their child's hand for the young person. In this way, the families come together, stronger than before due to the partnership. Before the union is sanctified, the two betrothed must journey to the central capital to consult the Book of Names. If there is no relation between the families, the union can proceed. If there is, it cannot proceed. It is rare for a betrothal to be broken by the Book of Names, but when it does happen, the relationship must proceed as platonic only, and if that rule is broken, the couple could be exiled.
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