Kansal

The culture of the Kansal is one which emphasizes the supremacy and divinity of mankind and celebrates the gift of life which has been given to him. Kansal people are very generally strong and fit, practiced sailors and fishermen, and spend much of their time on or by the sea, and live in small self-sustaining communes which mostly hunt and fish for their food. They believe that man inherited the earth from his predecessors and that his duty is to control and contort it to his benefit for the betterment of the human race. While they respect nature and appreciate it for the sustenance it brings them, they do not see much else aside from humans as truly living, save for exceptionally intelligent species like manta rays, sea turtles, whales, and gorillas.   Traditional religious practices of the Kansal are polytheistic and casual, with many gods existing for many different things, ranging from everyday parts of life such as cooking and hunting to great worldly phenomena like the ocean and the stars. Temples exist in some places but most worship is done in the home, and usually in response to some event or sudden need, rather than at regular intervals.

As the traditional lands of the Kansal people are hot and humid, little clothing is worn, except to cover genitalia and other places which may be very vulnerable to direct sunlight, like the head. Clothing usually consists of a very wide-brimmed hat (replaced with a tightly wrapped headscarf while sailing) and thin garments made of silk, which provide protection from the sun but still allow the wearer to breathe. Clothing is often very colorful, imprinted with patterns of coral or flowers.  

Kansal art is heavy with themes of the ocean, which show off both its beauty and elegance as well as its unforgiving, wrathful nature. Visual art is traditionally very bright and colorful, with simple and well-defined linework. Music shows a similar dichotomy, with some styles being very lighthearted and reminiscent of a peaceful, tropical life, while others are very harsh and noisy, emphasizing personal and military strength.

As the Kansal are a primarily seafaring people, a large portion of their diet consists of seafood like fish, seaweed, and urchins. Fruit is common, as well as certain large game hunted slightly inland like antelope or buffalo. Agriculture is not always necessary, but when practiced, it is mostly reserved for foods like coconuts and rice.

Kavali is the traditional art of ripple-like tattoos done around the bellybutton, in rings of complex geometry which are done following significant events in one's life, and can be read much like a story when one's life comes to an end.

Among the Kansal, the most desirable men are usually muscular, have dark skin, and have long beards or moustaches. The most attractive women are usually those who are slim but still fit, with wide hips, smooth complexion, and well-groomed head and body hair.

Men are traditionally hunters, and women are traditionally foragers and farmers. Both genders tend to be adept at sailing and fishing, however. While the men of Kansal society take on more dangerous roles, and roles which require greater strength, women are also usually in very good shape and help out with things when it is necessary. Both men and women have very active roles in parenting, and usually teach things to their children together, rather than relying on either the mother or father to teach the children certain skills.

@Kan