Zelandish Ethnographical Questionnaire
Zelandish Ethnographical Questionnaire
Questions of Place
Describe the geography of where your society calls home.
The Zelandish people, in as far they exist outside a conceit in my personal journal, exist in the city of Land-in-Siet. A city established in a harbour in southern New Zealand surrounded by a volcanic cone. Further settlements have been established in the surrounding area. A second city exists south of Land-in-Siet at Leewell and they have spread into the hinterland of southern New Zealand at least as far as Foxet and Flinthom.
Describe the climate your society deals with. How severe are their seasons?
Mild temperate climate. Temperatures can get up into the mid 30s (celsus) in summer. Land-in-Siet generally suffers only one severe snowfall per year. Frost and ice can be a problem for traffic.
What kinds of natural disasters has this society gotten used to?
Floods, storms, droughts, earthquakes.
What are the most commonly-grown foods?
Sheep and cattle are farmed. Oatmeal and vegetables.
What are the most commonly-eaten meats?
Beef, pork, mutton.
What foods are considered exotic or expensive?
Mutton is the most expensive of the meats listed above. Deer are also farmed for venison. Indian, Chinese, and Thai restaurants exist.
What forms of alcohol are common? Rare?
Beer is widespread. Red and white wines are available, as are spirits. Red is considered more reliable.
Is there usually enough food and water for the population?
Yes. Nearly everyone has access to a cheepstoew, supermarket, and clean running water. There is a concern that changes in farming practices (moving from sheep to dairy) could affect water quality.
What is this place's most abundant resource?
Farming and people. Land-in-Siet is a university city.
What is its most valuable resource?
Probably the university.
What resource is it most lacking?
Industry.
How do people travel from one place to another?
Private or public transport, walking, bike.
Are the borders secure? In what way?
The Zelandish do not maintain an open border with the rest of New Zealand north of the river.
How many people live here?
perhaps 300 000 people.
Where in this place do they congregate?
The city centre.
What part of this place do they avoid? Why?
Parts of the southern city are considered depressed as are some communities in the shires.
What are the most common domesticated animals here? And what are they domesticated for?
Cats and dogs are kept as pets.
What are the most common wild animals?
Birds; are are very few wild mammals, most of which are introduced.
Which animals are likely to be pets? Which ones won't be?
Cats, dogs, songbirds. Native birds and animals are frowned on as pets, especially if they are considered protected under law. Other domesticated animals may be kept as pets. Small caged animals.
Questions of Time
How far back does this society's written history go?
Between 100-200 years.
How far back do its people believe it goes?
Back to European history.
What is the worst disaster they believe they've faced?
The Zelandish were involved in a series of wars on behalf of the Imperium at the height of its power. They still commemorate their wardead on St. Mark's Mass.
What was the best thing that every happened to them?
Nationhood.
What in their past makes them feel ashamed?
What in their past makes them proud?
What are they afraid of happening again?
What are they hoping will happen? Do they think it likely?
What do they assume the future will hold?
How has this society changed? Do its current members realize this?
What are the most popular stories about the past?
Who in the past is the greatest hero? The worst villain?
Do people think the present better or worse than the past?
Do people believe the future will be better or worse than the present or past?
Questions of Sex and Family
How many spouses may a man or woman have?
Legally one.
Who decides on a marriage?
An agreement between the marriage partners.
Can a marriage end in divorce? How?
Yes, spouses may separate, sometimes amicably. After a period of separation the marriage is annulled.
Who usually takes custody of children if a marriage ends for some reason?
One of the partners, generally the woman.
How is adultery defined? What (if any) is the punishment? Who decides?
How are families named?(g) What happens to orphans?
Families are named after the husband, there are exceptions. Some people may maintain a separate surname for various reasons.
How are boy and girl children treated differently?
Are premarital relations allowed?
Cohabitation is a widespread practice and can be recognised under law.
How does your society define incest? Rape? How do people react to these?
What, if anything, is considered a good marriage gift?
Cushions.
What secret vice is believed to be widely practiced?
What secret vice actually is practiced?
What sexual habits are widely believed common among foreigners?
How do people react to homosexuality?
Homosexaulity is accepted, except in conservative religious circles.
How do the genders dress?
Is prostitution legal? How are prostitutes viewed? Is this accurate?
Prostitution is legal.
What professions or activities are considered masculine?
What professions or activities are viewed as feminine?
What inanimate or sexless things are considered male or female?
What is the biggest sexual taboo?
Does this society connect the ideas of marriage with love?
What does this society mean by the word "virgin" and how important it it?
Questions of Manners
Who speaks first at a formal gathering?
What kinds of gifts are considered in extremely bad taste?
How do younger adults address their elders?
What colors are associated with power? With virtue? With death?
If two men get into a fight, how is this supposed to be resolved?
If two women get into a fight, how should that be resolved?
When is it rude to laugh at something funny?
What kinds of questions cannot be asked in public? In private? At all?
How do people demonstrate grief?
What does this society do with their corpses?
Burial or cremation within a few days of the death.
What kinds of jewelry do people wear? And when?
Who inheirits property? Titles? Position?
What happens to those suffering from extreme mental illness?
What are the most popular games? How important are they?
What parts of the body are routinely covered?
How private are bodily functions like bathing or defecating?
How do people react to physical deformity?
When and how does someone go from child to adult?
Questions of Faith
Is there a formal clergy? How are they organized?
What do people believe happens to them after death? How, if at all, can they influence this?
What happens to those who disagree with the majority on questions of religion?
Are there any particular places considered special or holy? What are they like?
What are the most popular rituals or festivals?
What do people want from the god or gods? How do they try and get it?
How do their religious practices differ from their neighbours?
What is the most commonly broken religious rule?(i) What is the least-violated religious rule?
What factions exist within the dominant religious institutions? How do they compete?
Are there monastic groups? What do they do and how are they organized? How do you join one?
How are those who follow different faiths treated?
What relationship do religious and political leaders have?
What superstitions are common? What kinds of supernatural
events/beings do people fear?
