Sefdaanian Ethnography Chapter 5 - Customs

Rites of passage - portǫ̋ros

• For the four Loquent Peoples who grow and mature (Pyrans, Hydorans, Humans, Lithans), there are two rites of passage.

Rite of Initiation (toðǫ̋ro)

• The rites of initiation of the four Peoples are similar. In these rites, the newborn infant is introduced in a presentation (fe̋ła) to the avatar of God (ı̋lmu) of his people by being symbolically surrounded by the element of the people.
  • The newborn Pyran is encircled by fire.
  • The newborn Hydoran is dunked in water.
  • The newborn Human is placed in a hole dug in the earth.
  • The newborn Lithan is taken into a cave and placed in a vessel of stone.
• Each of these gestures is known as an encirclement (ą̋na).
• Along with the encirclement, prescribed prayers for the health and well-being of the infant are prayed and prescribed songs in praise of ȝűmu are sung.
• These rites of initiation take place on the first quarter day after the birth (12/22, 3/20, 6/21, 9/23).

Rite of Maturation (nixǫ̋ro)

• Even though the four mortal Loquent Peoples know how many years they have lived, age is not counted by the number of 365-day years they have lived, but by how many winter solstice festivals they have celebrated. Thus all the children born after the winter solstice celebrate their “birthday” on the following winter solstice. When asking someone’s age one says, "(tu) xőta hemsűkan (cıče̋na)," (you) how-many winter-solstices (have-celebrated).
  • When a male has celebrated his 17th winter solstice he has reached his maturity and joins the other men in the men’s duties of their People.
  • 2. When a female begins her menstrual cycle, she has reached her maturity and joins the other women in the women’s duties of her People.

Free time - nųvkę̋sa

• The main times for free activities are the nights and the winter. At these times, time is spent in making items for the use of the family: cooking implements, tools, clothing, etc. There are games for the children to play. The Peoples are fine musicians and love to sing and dance. And there is always time to tell stories.
• There are eight solar celebrations:

winter solstice	hemsűka	12/22
spring festival	kiðsa̋rno	2/2
vernal equinox	kiðpa̋rta	3/20
early-summer	kesa̋rno	5/5
summer solstice	lęþsűka	6/21
autumn festival	kųrsa̋rno	8/6
early-winter equinox	ifpa̋rta	9/23
early-winter festival	ifsa̋rno	11/5

• There are 13 lunar celebrations, the days after the full moon. These are days of recreation (nų̋ba), when no work is permitted. If a solar and lunar celebration fall on the same day, then there is a two-day holiday.
• These days are celebrated with song and dance, feasting, and various athletic competitions.

Roles - hőmos

• There is a relatively strict division of roles among the Loquent Peoples.
  • 1. Ethrans.
  • 2. The Pyrans are primarily reindeer herders. The reindeer are the livelihood of their society. All care of the reindeer is the responsibility of the men. The women are responsible for all other societal roles. They take care of the household chores; they tend the children; they do the gardening and the farming.
  • 3. There is not much role division among the Hydorans since their society is not complex. Both men and women fish and collect food from the water. However, the harvesting of cattails and their processing into food, cloth and other products is the role solely of the women.
  • 4. The Humans have a role division similar to the Pyrans. The men are exclusively concerned with the care of the horses. The women take care of the household tasks, tend the children and care for the gardens.
  • 5. Because the Xylans lead solitary individual lives, there are no roles among them.
  • 6. To the Lithan men belong all the roles involving the mining of the metals and precious stones they find in their mountains. They also the operate the smithies (temda̋ro) for forging the metals and crafting the jewelry. They also have exclusive responsibility for the care of the turs. The women take care of the household tasks, tend the children, care for the gardens, and tend the yaks.
• The children share in the household and gardening tasks as much as they are able. Upon reaching maturity, they take on the fulltime roles of their sex.

Role of religion – ȝouna̋s ne̋udo

• Religion is the central force in the lives of the Loquent Peoples. v. Sefdaanian Ethnography Chapter 8 - Religion.

Clothing and Fashion - őutok̬e vą̋dok̬e

• Ethrans, Pyrans, Humans, and Lithans all wear some type of loincloth (tada̋po) as an undergarment.

The Ethrans

• Ethrans of both sexes wear white linen loose-fitting trousers (uȝűko), held up by a linen sash (kałbą̋o) of the proper color, which is tied on the right side. Over this is worn a white long-sleeved ankle-length robe (ɱe̋sto) with a mandarin collar (rűko) and close-fitting cuffs (dı̋vlo). The sides of the robe are slit up to the waist for ease in riding. For formal affairs the sleeves are ampler and longer so that the colored silk lining can be seen when they are turned back. When outside the citadel in cold weather a fur cloak (fa̋lto) with hood (kǫ̋ðo) is worn. Robe and cloak are lined in silk, the hood with fur.
• Every Ethran is assigned to one of the six Peoples. This is symbolized in the color of the lining of the robe and cloak. The color symbolzing the Ethrans is yellow; of the Pyrans, orange; of the Hydorans, blue; of the Humans, red; of the Xylans, green; and of the Lithans, purple. The exact shade is left to the wearer’s taste.
• The Ministers (nı̨̋xlu), the lowest rank of Ethrans, do not wear the robe, merely the trousers and a hip-length pullover smock (sőpo) with a mandarin collar.
• The shoes worn by Ethrans are a type of slip-on slipper (lų̋bo), ankle-height or higher depending on need. They are made of leather bleached white and have heavy leather soles (atűngo).
• The Ethrans do not wear jewelry for adornment. However, an Ethran may wear a jewel in some style as a means of concentrating his/her use of the earth energy known as dwimory (se̋ȝa). Ȝumɱa̋ku Ma̋nu, the archimage of the Ethrans, wears his yellow diamond in a silver ring (ą̋no). Ȝumłe̋ntu A̋su of the Pyrans wears her orange diamond in a silver diadem (ɱı̋to). Ȝumą̋þu Sa̋þru of the Hydorans wears his blue diamond affixed to a torc (te̋xso) of twisted silver strands. Ȝumɱa̋ltu Arma̋itu of the Humans wears her red diamond in a silver ring. Ȝumȝa̋ku Aurva̋tu of the Xylans wears her green diamond in a silver diadem. And Ȝumgővtu Ámerta̋tu of the Lithans wears his purple diamond affixed to a torc of twisted silver strands.
• All the other Ethrans wear a stone of the proper color in a setting to the individual’s taste, although the setting is of bronze or copper. That is, all except the sixth rank. The ministers do not have access to the se̋ȝa.

The Pyrans

• The Pyrans wear woolen clothing of homespun reindeer hair. The men wear heavy woolen trousers (uȝűko), held up by a leather belt (kǫnxe̋ło), and a lightweight woolen shirt (űso), long-sleeved in winter, short-sleeved in summer. In the winter, a thick quilted coat (ne̋lmo) made from felt (pı̋lso) is also worn. Reindeer-leather chaps (kǫnɱų̋ro) are worn when riding herd on the reindeer. For dress wear, chaps (fánkǫnɱų̋ro) with the hair still on them and embroidered sleeveless jerkins (sa̋ᵹko) are worn. The embroidered designs are specific to each da̋bo. In the cold weather fur-lined leather cap with ear flaps (kőudo) is worn.
• The women wear homespun woolen dresses and, when necessary, a leather apron (ɱųrőuto). They wear a leather belt only when they have a need to carry something, like a dagger. The children wear smaller versions of what the adults wear.
• The Pyrans wear leather boots or shoes with stiff soles and soft sides. In the winter they are lined with fur.
• Various types of jewelry are made from reindeer antler and river shells or stones. Various articles of adornment are also carved from wood.

The Hydorans

• The Hydorans wear clothing made from spun cattail fibers. Indoors they wear a simple ankle-length robe (ɱe̋sto). For outdoor wear, a cape (ðųkų̋ro) made from cattail leaves and waterproofed with cattail seed oil, is worn. Nothing is worn when they are swimming.
• The Hydorans do not wear shoes. If they need to walk a distance from the ną̋do, especially in winter, they will wrap a tanned hide, usually otter, around their feet, fur side in, secured with ligament laces (sįnę̋to).
• The Hydorans wear freshwater pearls (pőɱo) as necklaces (mőṅo) and ear studs (ąɱpőɱo). As these pearls are produced in many shapes and colors, interesting combinations can be worked into a necklace. A matched pair for ear studs can be very valuable. Jewelry made of mother-of-pearl (þa̋ngo) is also worn.
• These pearl necklaces are worn as a sign of social status. With her first menstruation, a Hydoran is presented with a single-strand choker-style pearl necklace (semkǫ̋o). When a Hydoran gives birth to her first child, she is presented with a second strand of pearls (d̬oxőlṡo). Only the high priestess (úftove̋ru) may wear three strands of pearls (tirxőlṡo). An epithet of the high priestess is tírxolsıȝőflu, She-who-wears-three-strands.

The Humans

• Humans wear clothing made from leather and from horsehair wool (or wool from game animals). The clothing is similar to that worn by the Pyrans. Winter coats are made from wisent hide with the fur still on.

The Xylans

• Xylans do not wear any clothing. They do, however, carry with them as they travel an amadou (fugšőmbi) loincloth (made from the horsehoof fungus, (Fomes fomentarius) to be worn when in the presence of the other Peoples. They also wear a utility belt woven from withes (ɱa̋xlo) which holds any items they might need in the course of their day’s work and to which the loincloth is attached.

The Lithans

• The Lithans, both men and women, wear hemp clothing. The women wear ankle-length dresses, while the men wear trousers and shirts, with either long or short sleeves. When working in the mines and smithies or in the gardens and stables, this clothing is covered with leather garments, trousers, aprons, etc. In the mines they also wear protective metal helmets (cőrɱo) lined with the fur of dormice, rabbits, squirrels, etc.
• The leather shoes of both men and women are made of tur or yak hide. In the winter they are lined with fur.

Entertainments - nų̋bos

• There are two games popular among the Peoples.

Dice - ruþza̋ros

Equipment

• The game of runza̋ros is played on a field in the shape of a hexagon (ruþpe̋ᵹmo), from each side of which extends, to the center, an arm (be̋so) consisting of three parallel columns (cı̨̋so) of hexagons. The be̋sos are colored red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet. The large central hexagon is called the nest (f̣őbo). The playing field can be made of any material. Some are works of art in wood inlay or in ceramic. Usually, though, a heavy linen fabric or leather is used on which the gaming pattern is embroidered or painted. In this way, the dice and the markers (mı̋mo) can be rolled up inside and the whole tied for ease in traveling.
• Eighteen markers are used, three each of yellow eagles, red reindeer, blue otters, orange horses, green squirrels and violet turs. The element of chance is provided by three dice that, when thrown, indicate the number of spaces to be moved. One die has pips (la̋co) one through six. The second die has pips one, three and five, with like pips on opposite faces. The third die has pips two, four and six, with like pips on opposite faces.

Preparation and Objective

• The game may be played by two, three, or six players (le̋iðlu). When two play, one plays green, blue and violet, while the other plays red, orange and yellow. When three play, one plays green and blue, another plays violet and red, while the third plays orange and yellow. To begin, the markers are placed in the nest. Each player throws the dice and the one who throws the highest plays first with the play going wid¬dershins.
• Each player’s objective is to move all three of his markers down the middle of the arm of the same color, around the board widdershins, then back up the same arm to the nest. The game is won when a player succeeds in returning all his markers to the nest.

Play

• Moves are decided by throws of the dice. The player moves a piece (or pieces) the number indicated. A player may move a marker out of the nest only upon rolling a combination containing a six. Throwing a run, that is, 1-2-3 or 3-4-5 in any order, entitles the player to a free throw. But if a run is thrown on the free throw, the player must move his marker(s) back to their original position and forfeits the throw. Each throw may be split into its constituent parts and shared across the markers. A throw cannot be passed in whole or in part unless the player cannot move his markers. The nest must be entered on an exact throw of one or more of the dice.
• Two or three markers of the same color may occupy the same hexagon. When a marker of one color lands on a hexagon occupied by a marker of another color, the enemy (ṅe̋tu), the enemy is captured and returns to the nest from which it must start again. A player who captures an enemy is allowed another throw of the dice, but if it is a run, the enemy returns to the hexagon from which it was removed and the player forfeits his throw. When two markers of the same color occupy a hexagon, an enemy may not land on that hexagon, but he may pass through. However, a player’s double marker may return an enemy’s double marker to the nest. When three markers of the same color occupy a hexagon a blockade (paxãƶo) is created; an enemy may not may pass through until the blockade is broken up. However, a player’s blockade may return the enemy’s blockade to the nest. As it is impossible for three of a kind to be thrown, a paxãƶo will only last for one play around the field.

Tile game (lemle̋ido)

• Although playing cards have been made in recent times, the original "cards" were pieces (le̋mo) of wood on which were burned or etched the various designs. They were about the size of dominoes. Fine ones were made of ivory, cast metal or ceramic.
• The deck (mų̋to) is comprised of 72 tiles. There are six suits (pę̋ko): stars (cűko), suns (sų̋lo), fish (ḍa̋go), arrows (nőro), leaves (va̋lo), and jewels (ṅe̋mo).
• Each suit consists of 12 tiles, 1-12. Color is not important. The game is much like gin rummy. Anywhere from two to six may play. Tiles are drawn to determine the first dealer (dǫ̋lu); high card wins. Twelve tiles are dealt (dǫ̋a) to each person. In his turn each player draws (őpa) a card from the stock (gǫ̋lo) and discards (ṡűta) one face up. The following player may draw from the stock or from the discard pile (ṡuþrų̋o), always discarding one tile. The object is to accumulate in one’s hand at one time the melds (me̋ico). The melds may be either groups of three or more of a kind (somle̋ƶo), or sequences (da̋go) of three or more. The highest possible score for a hand is 24, i.e. , two sequences of six tiles each.
• The winning hand then counts the sum of his cards. Losing hands do not count their sums. One point is given for each card in a sequence and two for each card in a group. The first player to reach 100 wins.

Music – kűmo

• The Ethrans are skilled vocalists and gather on occasion, especially to celebrate the religious festivals, to entertain each other with both soloists and choirs. Many are accomplished composers and have written many songs and hymns. Many of the Ethrans are also skilled whistlers. The music of Sefdaania is hexatonic.
• The Pyrans are skilled at playing stringed instruments, especially the lyre (tűxo). The lyres are carved from wood and have reindeer gut for the strings. In the winter when the nights are longer, tales are told to pass the time before going to bed.
• The Hydorans use various reeds to make reed instruments. Though they are short in stature, they make bass instruments which they rest on some kind of support. They are especially skilled on the syrinx (ne̋do). The telling of tales takes place in the long winter nights.
• Humans have developed drums (tűmo) and tambourines (d̬ą̋no) to an art, which they use to accompany their singing and dancing. In the winter when the nights are longer, tales are told to pass the time before going to bed.
• Because the Xylans are solitary, they have no need to entertain each other. They carve flutes from tree branches which they play as they wander.
• The Lithans have created instruments from the metals they mine and from the rocks of the mountains. These are mainly bells (zą̋ro) and a xylophone-type instrument (cixše̋nlo). Each village has a lithophone (tainše̋nlo) in the public square (koinda̋ro) to accompany communal singing.
• The Lithans carve marionettes for enacting both religious and secular stories. Public performances are given on all the calendar feasts.
• All of the Peoples, except for the Xylans, dramatize the Creation Story at the winter solstice celebration as a religious ritual.

Literacy - ð̣ąmą̋ᵹa

• Most of the Peoples are illiterate and, although they can count, they do not know how to write the numerals. Among the Ethrans, of course, literacy is widespread. Among the other peoples (again, except for the Xylans), only those destined for positions of leadership are taught to read. And certainly there are those individuals who have taught themselves to read. For this reason, oral tales are the usual medium for entertaining and passing on the traditions of the Peoples.

Hospitality - bę̋ma

• The most special gift given to travelers (ta̋ᵹlu) is that of hospitality (bę̋ma). Travel is very difficult and there are no inns. Each village has a guest house (bęmde̋mo) for the lodging of travelers at no expense to the traveler. Of course, travelers understand the adage about fish and guests and spend, at most, only two nights in any village’s guest house before moving on. If sick or injured, the traveler can expect hospitality until he is able to move on. The guest house must have a high door to permit the entry of the 8-foot-tall Xylans.

Grief - mı̨̋ɱa

• The expression of grief is much the same in all the mortal Peoples. Members of the community comfort the mourners during the six-day mourning period. Women take turns doing housework, such as preparing food for the mourning family, while the men take the responsibility of carrying for the livestock and arranging the funeral. No jewelry is worn and the spouse, parents and children of the deceased wear black clothing during the period of mourning. Members of the deceased’s family do not bathe or shave during the period of mourning.
• Weeping for the deceased is allowed. Meat is not eaten by the family members during the period of mourning.
• All the members of the community who are physically able attend the burial.