Sefdaanian Ethnography Chapter 4 - Family: Difference between revisions

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==Peoples==
==Family life - '''ðamǧı̋ı̋ra'''==
*There are six Peoples, often called the Six Speaking Peoples ('''sa̋a̋d sa̋m̃antus'''). In order of creation they are:
*Children are named after items found in nature (star, deer, bird, ''etc.'') or after human attributes (strength, joy, ''etc.''). The noun may take the adjectival suffix '''-ni''' indicating resemblance to, ''e.g.'', '''m̃e̋ini''', like a bird. Or it may take the adjectival suffix '''-ri''' indicating full of, ''e.g.'', '''gővri''', full of beauty. These adjectives are then placed in the '''-u''' declension, that of loquent beings: '''m̃e̋inu''', '''gővru'''.
**1. The Ethrans ('''gaal̨őnu'''), the Children of Air.
*Among the Lithans, families take the name of the father; the patronymic prefix '''aþ-''' is used. It is considered an appositive, so is placed after the name. If necessary, the name of the settlement and the name of the region can be added. Thus, a Lithan male named '''daam̃a̋lu''' ("river strong"), whose father is named '''ma̋lru''' ("full of strength"), who lives in a village named '''miirkı̋lo''' ("peaceful village"), in the western river region '''m̃esda̋a̋n̨a''' would have the full name '''mezdaan̨a̋s miirkilős daam̃a̋lu aþ-ma̋lru'''.
**2. The Pyrans ('''aaþ̨őnu'''), the Children of Fire.
*Among the Pyrans, Hydorans, and Humans, families take the name of the mother in the same pattern as above. It is considered an appositive, so is placed after the name. Thus, a Pyran female named '''paike̋e̋ƣu''' ("white doe"), whose mother is named '''disűűlu''' ("bright sun"), who lives in a village named '''daane̋ðo''' ("river walk"), in the little river region '''pinda̋a̋n̨a''' would have the full name '''pindaan̨a̋s daaneðős paike̋e̋ƣu aþ-disűűlu'''.
**3. The Hýdorans ('''hur̨őnu'''), the Children of Water.
*A person is ordinarily addressed and spoken of using both the name and the patronymic/matronymic. Thus, the two individuals just named would be addressed and spoken of as '''dam̃a̋lu aþ-ma̋lru''' and '''paike̋e̋ƣu aþ-disűűlu'''.
**4. The Humans ('''tal̨őnu'''), the Children of Earth.
*It is possible for any of the People to receive an epithet for a great deed done, ''e.g.'', '''daam̃a̋lu mailka̋a̋ðlu''', Riverstrong Wolf-slayer, but this epithet is not passed on to any children.
**5. The Xylans ('''maat̨őnu'''), the Children of Wood.
*Boys and girls are not treated differently, except insofar as they are trained for their respective tasks in the family and the community.
**6. The Lithans ('''taain̨őnu'''), the Children of Stone.




==Distribution==
==Family size - '''ðamnőőla'''==
*The distribution of the Peoples is important because it determines much about their life styles. This distribution is accounted for in their mythology.
**1. The Ethrans, the Children of Air, were given the "air" in which to live. They settled on mountain tops where they were close to the openness of space and from where they could observe this world into which they had been placed. Upon the creation of the other Peoples they removed the citadels from this plane in order not to influence the development of the other Peoples as they were created.
***They live in strongholds called citadels ('''ðűűno''') on the top of mountains. There are six of them located as follows. The elevations given are those of the present day.
***The portal to the Oriole Citadel ('''m̃élaƣðűűno''')is on the summit of [[Wikipedia:Mount Elbrus|Mt. Elbrus]] in the Caucasus Mountains of Russia at 5,642 m. (18,510 ft.).
***The portal to the Robin Citadel ('''ɔ́n̨alðűűno''') is on the summit of Mount [[Wikipedia:Hoverla|Hoverla]] in the Carpathian Mountains of Ukraine at 2,061 m. (6,762 ft.).
***The portal to the Kingfisher Citadel ('''ṡéérolðűűno''') is on the summit of [[Wikipedia:Moldoveanu Peak|Moldoveanu Peak]] in the southern Carpathians of Romania at 2,545 m. (8,350 ft.).
***The portal to the Rosefinch Citadel ('''ƥalbɛðűűno''') is on the summit of [[Wikipedia:Musala|Musala]] Peak in the Rila Mountains of Bulgaria at 2,925 m. (9,599 ft.).
***The portal to the Woodpecker Citadel ('''piixðűűno''') is on Mytikas, the highest peak of [[Wikipedia:Mount Olympus |Mount Olympus]] in Greece at 2,918 m. (9,573 ft.).
***The portal to the Jackdaw Citadel ('''ðeexðűűno''') is on [[Wikipedia:Mount Ararat|Greater Mount Ararat]] in the Armenian Highlands of eastern Turkey at 3,896 m. (12,782 ft.).
****In the beginning there was a seventh citadel, the North Citadel ('''kuð̤űűno'''). It was on [[Wikipedia:Mount Narodnaya|Mt. Narodnaya]] in the Urals at 1,772 m (6,217 ft). This was the citadel of Tseliu before she turned to evil. At her expulsion the citadel was destroyed.
**2. The Pyrans, the Children of Fire, were given the banks of the rivers. Here, in the fertile soil, they grow their crops and pasture their reindeer.
**3. The Hydorans, the Children of Water, were given the "water", the still water, on which to live.
**4. The Humans, the Children of Earth, were created to dwell in the grasslands. They are a herding people, practicing a type of [[Wikipedia:transhumance|transhumance]], whose men follow their herds of horses, known today as [[Wikipedia:Przewalski’s horse|Przewalski’s horse]] (''Equus ferus przewalskii''), across the steppes. These herds never number more than ten to twelve head. Each community ('''ṡe̋im̃o''') enjoys an established territory which consists of grazing ground and a source of water. In the spring the herds are taken as far north as possible. The foals are born at the summer feeding ground. The number of foals permitted is limited so as not to produce herds too large for a family to handle. Then, before the snows begin, the herds are taken back to the '''ṡe̋imo'''. Often the herds of several '''ṡe̋imos''' will graze together. While the horses are in the north, those who remain in the '''ṡe̋imo''' farm, growing food for themselves and fodder for the horses to last through the winter. Many of the foals are eaten during the winter.
**5. The Xylans, the Children of Wood, were created to live in the forests, where most of them live, although some now live in other ecosystems where they can remain isolated. They lead solitary lives and there is nothing resembling a society in the life of the Xylans. Each individual fends for himself. The Xylans are capable, however, of a limited telepathy with each other and respond to each other as needed.
**6. The Lithans, the Children of Stone were created for the mountains where they work their mines. Villages ('''kı̋lo''') are established in valleys where there is flowing water and from which they have easy access to their mines. Since the Great Sundering ('''me̋ża pűlra''') defensive walls are built at each end of the valley. Their villages are scattered among the Carpathian, Balkan, Caucasus, and Ural ranges.
 
 
==Language, appearance, and ancestry==
*The Six Loquent Peoples all spoke the same language, Senjecas ('''senȝe̋ka'''), until the Great Sundering. After that problems arose among and within the different Peoples and dialects arose which often became mutually unintelligible.
*Unfortunately, genetic studies were never made before the non-human Peoples passed through the portals. (There are some who maintain, however, that some of them still live among us.) Because of this the only account we have of their ancestry is their mythology. Zoologists have tentatively assigned a binomial name to each of the Peoples.
**1. Ethrans – ''Homo primicreatus''
**2. Pyrans – ''Homo ripacola''
**3. Hydorans – ''Homo lacucola''
**4. Humans – ''Homo sapiens'' (If this name had not already been assigned, they would have been given the binomial ''Homo planicola''.)
**5. Xylans – ''Homo silvicola''
**6. Lithans – ''Homo monticola''
*The Six Loquent Peoples can be grouped into two major groups based on their bone structure. The Ethrans, the Humans, and the Lithans have solid bones. The Pyrans, the Hydorans, and the Xylans have hollow bones.
 
===Some general descriptions===
*1. The Xylans and the Lithans have a [[Wikipedia:tapetum lucidum|tapetum]]  ('''t̨oolne̋ƣo''') which enhances their night vision.
*2. The Six Peoples are each a different species, thus there is no interbreeding. Sexual intercourse is, however, possible between those Peoples of the same size.
*3. The excretory, digestive, circulatory, respiratory and endocrine systems function in basically the same ways in all the Peoples.
*4. In those peoples that procreate, the females possess only two breasts.
*5. The males of the mortal peoples possess a foreskin.
 
===The Ethrans===
*In the beginning of creation they were all created at the same time.
*They are much like Humans in anatomy and physiology, with the exception that they possess no reproductive organs.
*The average height of the Ethrans is 2 m. (6'6").
*Their hair is blonde of varying shades, although the hair of the sundered Ethrans has turned gray. The hair of the six archimages is white. The hair is worn in a style at the discretion of the person.
*They do not have body hair.
*Their irises are the light blue color of the sky and they can see into the ultraviolet and infrared ranges. Their eyes do not possess an [[Wikipedia:Epicanthic fold|epicanthic]] fold.
*In a manner similar to [[Wikipedia:Electric eel#Electrophysiology|electric eels]], they have somatic cells in the palms and the soles designed to be conduits for [[Wiktionary:dweomercraft|dweomercraft]], the energy in earth mistakenly called magic.
*Dentition is the same as in Humans.
*Neither the males nor the females have breasts. However, because of the [[Wikipedia:Pectoral muscles|pectoral muscles]], the chests have the familiar contour of humans.
*The Ethrans are immortal.
*In the tales and legends of Humans, the Ethrans are remembered as wizards, mages, ''etc''. Some cultures remember them as angels.
 
===The Pyrans===
*The Pyrans are much like Humans in anatomy and physiology. They are, on the average, the same height as Humans, ''i.e.'', 1.7 m. (5'8"). Although more slender than Humans, they are very muscular. They are one of the three peoples that are hollow-boned ('''ṡűlmi'''), in a manner similar to birds.
*Their hair is red.
*Their irises are amber-colored and do not possess an [[Wikipedia:Epicanthic fold|epicanthic]] fold. Their visual acuity is exceptional.
*They have no body hair, except in the axillae and groin.
*Dentition is the same as in Humans.
*They may engage in sex at any time, but the female is in estrus only in the fall. One child, rarely two, is born after a gestation of ten lunar months. The sex of the child is by chance as with Humans and is determined by a gene in the ovum. The child is not weaned until two years of age and the female will not go into estrus while she is nursing. Menopause occurs around the age of 70.
*The average life span of a Pyran is about 200 years.
*In the tales and legends of Humans, the Pyrans are remembered as elves.
 
===The Hydorans===
*The Hydorans are smaller than Humans at .9 m. (3') and are very slender. They are one of the hollow-boned peoples and, thus, are very light.
*They possess in their legs a device similar to that found in [[Wikipedia:Flea#Jumping|fleas]] which enables them to jump up to five times their height.
*Their hair is blond and they have no body hair at all.
*Their irises are blue but a darker blue than that of the Ethrans and possess an [[Wikipedia:Epicanthic fold|epicanthic]] fold.
*Their hands have proportionally longer fingers and the proximal and intermediate phalanges are webbed which facilitates swimming. The finger tips are permanently wrinkled to provide better handling of wet objects.
*The upper arm muscles are proportionally larger to aid in swimming.
*Just under the [[Wikipedia:Angle of the mandible|mandibular angle]] below the ear on either side is one gill slit, which is used both for respiration and the excretion of electrolytes when in the water. It is covered by a muscular flap which prevents desiccation when on land. These gills do not function in salt water. There are valves that close off the nostrils and ears when they dive.
*The muscles contain a large amount of [[Wikipedia:Myoglobin|myoglobin]] enabling them to stay under water for about 15 minutes. 
*Dentition is the same as in Humans.
*They may engage in sex at any time, but the female is in estrus only in the winter. One child, rarely two, is born after a gestation of six lunar months. The sex of the child is by chance as with Humans and is determined by a gene in the ovum. The child is not weaned until two years of age and the female will not go into estrus while she is nursing. Menopause occurs around the age of 50.
*Because of their slightness the children often fall prey to predatory animals.
*The average life span of a Hydoran is about 100 years.
*In the tales and legends of Humans, the Hydorans are remembered as fairies, sprites, ''etc.''
 
===The Xylans===
*The Xylans average 2.5 m. (8') tall and they are proportionately wide, but they are one of the hollow-boned peoples and thus lighter than they seem. There are valves in the veins in their legs and abdomen which assist the return flow of blood. The larynx and nasal passages are proportionately larger and their blood is rich in [[Wikipedia:Red blood cell|erythrocytes]], a large amount of which are stored in the spleen for emergency use. All this combines to make them superior sprinters and runners.
*Their hair is dark brown and their skin is dark, and except for their bearded faces, they are covered with hair; not in the manner of a [[Wikipedia:Yeti|yeti]] or [[Wikipedia:Bigfoot|sasquatch]], but as in Human males who are extremely hirsute.
*Their irises are a deep green with vertical pupils. There is no epicanthic fold.
*Dentition consists of one more set of molars than in human dentition, that is, 2-1-2-4. The maxilla and the mandible are not hollow-boned and the temporal muscle is proportionally more massive to facilitate the cracking of the nuts that comprise a large part of the diet. The temporal muscles are attached to a [[Wikipedia:Sagittal crest|sagittal crest]] which is not visible because of the skull hair.
*They can hear frequencies both above and below those perceptible by the other Peoples.
*There are no female Xylans. The males possess a penis, but no testicles.
*The Xylans are not susceptible to any diseases, but as long as they are not killed, they are immortal. To date only one has been killed.
*In the tales and legends of Humans, the Xylans are remembered as giants.
 
===The Lithans===
*Lithans are more like midgets than dwarves, in height between the Humans and the Hydorans, about three-quarters the height of a Human, 1.2 m. (4').
*Their hair is black and the males are rather hirsute. Their skin is a light brown.
*Their irises are black with vertical pupils. There is an epicanthic fold.
*Dentition is the same as in the Humans.
*They may engage in sex at any time, but the female is in estrus only every other year. The gestation period is about seven lunar months and the birth of one child, never twins, occurs in the spring. The child is not weaned until three years of age and the female will not go into estrus while she is nursing. Menopause occurs around the age of 100.
*The average life span of a Lithan is about 300 years.
*In the tales and legends of Humans, the Lithans are remembered as dwarves or hobbits.
 
 
==Occupations==
*The chief occupations of the Six Loquent Peoples is determined by the ecosystem to which they have been assigned.  Of course, each community has other tasks to be performed for the life of the community.
 
===The Ethrans===
===The Ethrans===
*The Ethrans, as the first created, became the scientists and scholars who began to investigate the world in which they were placed. Much was learned and recorded about the world in the 21,600 years before the Pyrans were created. This era of 21,600 years is known as a '''þ̨űda'''. This first period is known as the '''gaalþ̨űda'''.
*The Ethrans live in large compounds known as citadels ('''ðűűno'''). The population changes as the Ethrans are sent out on missions to other citadels or to various parts of the world for scientific or other investigation. There are six ranks of Ethrans:
**There are six ranks of Ethrans:
#6 mages ('''se̋ilu''')
***1. mage ('''se̋ilu''') – There are six mages. Each one is in charge of one of the citadels. The eldest is known as the archimage ('''reeðse̋ilu''').
#12 [[Wikipedia:Praetor|praetors]] ('''zı̋lþu''')
***2. praetors ('''zı̋lþu''') – There are 12 praetors, two to each citadel who assist the mages in administration.
#36 [[Wikipedia:Archon|archons]] ('''ka̋mþu''')
***3. archon ('''ka̋mþu''') – There are 36 archons, six to each citadel.  Each of them is assigned as a supervisor over various departments in the citadel:
#144 assistants ('''þőnlu''')
****a. food provision: kitchen and refectory, apiary, bakery, mill, greenhouses, threshing floor.
#720 guardians ('''pőőþlu''')
****b. drink provision: dairy, winery, brewery.
#4,320 ministers ('''kűűlu''')
****c. industry: smithy; tannery; carpentry; chandlery; glaziery; dyeing, spinning and weaving sheds.
*The mages have been appointed as guardians and caretakers of the Six Loquent Peoples:
****d. maintenance: cleaning, laundry, repair, bathhouse, sauna, sewing room.
#'''Ȝumm̃a̋ku Ma̋nu''' (the archimage) of the Ethrans is responsible for the discipline of astronomy. His connection to the [[Wiktionary:dweomercraft|dweomery]] enables him to control the weather and airflow. The [[Wikipedia:Eurasian golden oriole|golden oriole]] (''O. oriolus'') is sacred to him.
****e. livestock: stables, goose coops, silkworm sheds.
#'''Ȝuma̋a̋þu A̋su''' of the Pyrans is responsible for the discipline of the physical sciences. His connection to the dweomery enables him to create and control fire. The [[Wikipedia:European robin|robin]] (''Erithacus rubicula'') is sacred to him.
****f. gardens: vegetable, orchard, vineyard, buckwheat fields.
#'''Ȝumɫe̋ntu Sa̋þru''' of the Hydorans is responsible for the discipline of zoology. His connection to the dweomery enables him to control animals. The [[Wikipedia:Common kingfisher|common kingfisher]] (''Alcedo atthis'') is sacred to his.
***4. 144 assistants ('''þőnlu'''), 24 to each citadel, four of them assigned to each department.
#'''Ȝumm̃a̋ltu Arma̋itu''' of the Humans is responsible for the discipline of earth sciences. His connection to the dweomery enables him to create earthquakes, landslides, ''etc.'' The [[Wikipedia:Common rosefinch|common rosefinch]] (''Carpodacus erythrinus'') is sacred to him.
***5. 720 guardians ('''pőþlu'''), 120 to each citadel, 20 of them assigned to each department.
#'''Ȝumȝa̋ku Aurva̋tu''' of the Xylans is responsible for the discipline of botany. His connection to the dweomery enables him to promote the growth and death of plants. The [[Wikipedia:European green woodpecker|green woodpecker]] (''Picus viridis'') is sacred to him.
***6. 4,320 ministers ('''kűűlu'''), 720 to each citadel. Of these 720, 120 are assigned to each of the six departments. Their tasks are to cook, clean, muck, weed, herd, plant, harvest, ''etc''.
#'''Ȝumgővtu Ámerta̋tu''' of the Lithans is responsible for the discipline of arts. His connection to the dweomery enables him to make himself and those with him invisible. The [[Wikipedia:Western jackdaw|jackdaw]] (''Corvus monedula'') is sacred to him.
***In total there are 5,238 Ethrans.


===The Pyrans===
===The Pyrans===
*The Pyrans, the Children of Fire, were given the banks of the rivers and streams. Here, in the fertile soil, they grow their crops and pasture their [[Wikipedia:reindeer|reindeer]]. The Pyrans became herders of reindeer which they domesticated from the wild reindeer. The herding is the task of the men. The women maintain the hayfields and the family vegetable gardens and care for the flocks of [[Wikipedia:Ruddy shelduck|ducks]] ('''pa̋ite'''). Each village ('''da̋bo''') has a smithy. Both men and women share in the making of cheese from reindeer milk. This second era is known as the '''aaþ̨̈űda'''.
*Since the Pyrans live about 200 years and the women go into estrus only once a year, family control is easy. In order to avoid overpopulation, only two to four children are produced in the Pyran family. The population does grow, but in a more-or-less controlled fashion. The Pyran family unit consists of the father and mother, and their minor children. If the father is the oldest living son, he may also have his parents living with them.


===The Hydorans===
===The Hydorans===
*The Hydorans, in their water environment, became fishers. Both men and women fish and gather other water creatures for food. It is the women who harvest the [[Wikipedia:typha|cattails]] (''Typha latifolia'') ('''kűrði''') which they prepare as food and from which they obtain a fiber for making their clothes. This third era is known as the '''hurþ̨űda'''.
*Since the Hydorans live about 100 years and the women go into estrus only once a year, family control is easy. Anywhere from two to five children are produced in the Hydoran family. Since the mortality rate of children is high, the Hydorans tend to give birth to more children. Husbands do not live in the same dwelling with their families. All the men live in a communal house ('''m̃iira̋ito'''), including unmarried males when they reach their majority, and visit their wives when they wish. The family unit consists of the matriarch ('''senma̋a̋ma'''), her widowed sisters, her daughters, and their minor children. The family lives in a thatch house, known as an '''a̋ito'''.


===The Humans===
===The Humans===
*The Human men herd their horses across the steppes. On horseback, the men also hunt game using the golden eagle and their gazehounds to bring down the game. Game adds variety to the horsemeat diet. The women remain at the settlement ('''ṡe̋im̃o''') to do the subsistence gardening and other household tasks. They also search the surrounding steppe in the spring for birds’ eggs. This fourth era is known as the '''talþ̨űda'''.
*Human families will have from two to four children. It is important that there be a male child, more so than with the other three reproductive Peoples. The Human settlement ('''ṡe̋im̃o''') consists of an extended family: a paterfamilias ('''ðamta̋a̋ta'''), his sons and their wives and their children and the children’s children. Enough males are needed to manage the family’s herd of horses. When the family herd becomes too large for the area to sustain, one of the younger sons will take his family and horses and become '''ðamta̋a̋ta''' in a new area. There is plenty of room in the steppes.


===The Xylans===
===The Xylans===
*The Xylans have no regular occupations. They live free lives roaming the vast forests of Sefdaania. Because they are Children of Wood, they have an extensive knowledge of the medicinal properties of plants. They often travel to the settlements of the other Peoples to trade their simples ('''ȝaxműűlo''') for whatever the people have to offer in trade. This fifth era is known as the '''maaþ̨̈űda'''.
*Each Xylan builds for himself a log cabin ('''raaþm̃e̋e̋so''') in his personal territory in the forest. It is here that he keeps his supplies and personal items, but he is seldom in his cabin. The Xylans roam freely across the land.


===The Lithans===
===The Lithans===
*The Lithans in their mountain villages ('''kı̋lo''') mine the mountains for metals and gems. Working in their smithies ('''ṡeðda̋ro'''), the Lithans are master artisans ('''dűvlu'''), making implements from the metals and jewelry from the gems. They are also solely responsible for the care of the [[Wikipedia:West Caucasian tur|turs]] (''Capra caucasica'') ('''kı̋te'''). The women are responsible for the other tasks: performing the household tasks, maintaining the vegetable gardens and the fields of [[Wikipedia:Hemp|hemp]] (''Cannibis sativa'') ('''kana̋pi''') from which they weave cloth for their clothes, and caring for the [[Wikipedia:yak|yaks]] ('''ṡőne'''). Some of the Lithan men wander Sefdaania to barter their wares with the other Peoples. This sixth era is known as the '''taainþ̨űda'''.
*Since the Lithans live about 300 years and the women go into estrus only every other year, family control is easy. In order to avoid overpopulation, only two to four children are produced in the Lithan family. The population does grow, but in a more-or-less controlled fashion. The family unit consists of the father and mother and their minor children. If the father is the oldest son, he may also have his parents living with them.
 
 
==The Six Honorable Trades – '''sa̋a̋d k̬e̋it̨o da̋a̋ros'''==
*The various occupations and avocations are grouped into:
 
*1. Ruler ('''zı̋l̨u''')
**Governor ('''ðuunda̋slu''')
**'''Dabo''' head ('''davne̋e̋ilu''')
**'''Nado''' head ('''naðne̋e̋ilu''')
**'''Ṡeim̃o''' head ('''ṡeim̃ne̋e̋ilu''')
**'''Kilo''' head ('''kilne̋e̋ilu''')
**Head of family ('''ða̋mlu''')
 
*2. Healer ('''ȝa̋xlu''')
**Priest ('''nőitu''') and Priestess ('''tove̋ru''')
**Physician ('''le̋e̋gu''') and Nurse ('''t̬e̋e̋lu''')
**Judge ('''me̋ðlu''')
**Herbalist ('''t̨áþmuula̋a̋gu''')
**Teacher ('''dőxlu''')
**Sorcerer ('''lűmlu''') and Diviner ('''ta̋a̋flu''')
 
*3. Food provider  ('''pa̋a̋þlu''')
**Farmer ('''zɔ̋ðlu''') and Vinedresser ('''mésorta̋a̋gu''')
**Herder ('''ta̋ðlu''')
**Fisher ('''miine̋stɛlu''')
**Brewer ('''sa̋xlu''') and Vintner ('''m̃eina̋a̋gu''')
**Hunter ('''ve̋e̋ðlu''')
**Apiarist ('''vı̋ı̋lu''')
 
*4. Craftsman ('''űűrlu''')
**Painter ('''te̋e̋rlu'''), Scribe ('''ȝa̋rlu''') and Sculptor ('''la̋ðlu''')
**Weaver ('''őőrlu''')
**Basket Maker ('''k̬e̋slu''')
**Potter ('''lı̋ı̋ƣlu''') and Glazier ('''veda̋a̋gu''')
**Carpenter ('''k̬ɔ̋su''')
**Smith ('''þűslu'''), Metalworker ('''ponþűslu'''), Locksmith ('''taazþűslu'''), Tinsmith ('''tágarþűslu'''), Goldsmith ('''gilþűslu'''), Coppersmith ('''rauðþűslu'''), Blacksmith ('''ṡaalþűslu'''), Silversmith ('''kurþűslu'''), Jeweler ('''n̨e̋mlu'''), Minter ('''pı̋ı̋nlu''')


*5. Merchant ('''k̬a̋pu''')
**Grocer ('''eðk̬a̋pu'''), Tobacconist ('''múúxmuulk̬a̋pu''') and Florist ('''nank̬a̋pu''')
**Apothecary ('''ȝaxtyk̬a̋pu''')
**Baker ('''vőőƣlu''') and Butcher ('''k̬ől̤u''')
**Clothier ('''ouþk̬a̋pu'''), Glover ('''mántavta̋m̃lu'''), Seamstress ('''ṡűűlu'''), Cobbler ('''þaaba̋a̋gu''') and Tailor ('''ouþta̋m̃u''')
**Trader ('''ta̋vlu''')
**Chandler ('''ȝa̋a̋xlu''')


*6. Laborer ('''da̋a̋rlu''')
==Inheritance - '''xe̋ȝa'''==
**Mason ('''taaina̋a̋gu''') and Sawyer ('''lőslu''')
*In Pyran society all possessions are inherited patrilineally.
**Cleaner ('''ṡűvlu''')
*Because the men are away with the herds a large part of the year, the Humans adopted a matriarchal society. All possessions are inherited matrilineally, except for the horses, which are inherited patrilineally.
**Police ('''þ̨orna̋m̃lu''')
*In Lithan society all possessions are inherited patrilineally.
**Miller ('''mől̤u''')
**Teamster ('''zı̋ðlu'''), Sailor ('''na̋a̋m̃lu''') and Ferryman ('''pera̋a̋gu''')
**Miner ('''gűűflu''')




==Epithets – '''eþfe̋e̋tos'''==
==Kinship system - '''paasta̋go'''==
*Each of these peoples has several bynames ('''eþfe̋e̋to''') which are used frequently to refer to them.
*The kinship system used by the four procreating Peoples distinguishes all near relatives, both lineal and collateral. It is most like the [[Wikipedia:Sudanese kinship|Sudanese]] kinship system. Descriptive words for lineal relatives include father, mother, brother (extended to elder and younger), sister (extended to elder and younger), son, daughter, grandfather, and grandmother. General words for great grandfather and great grandmother, and for great grandson and granddaughter use the sex proclitics (male, '''ur-'''; female, '''ii-''') to distinguish.
**A. The Ethrans are:
*Descriptive words for collateral relatives include paternal uncle and aunt, maternal uncle and aunt, uncles' sons and daughters and aunts' sons and daughters. Any further collateral descendants are named cousin. The sex proclitics may be used to distinguish if desired.
***the Children of Ilmus ('''ilmɛżőőnaþu''')
*With respect to marriage there are words for husband, wife, and co-wife.
***the peak dwellers ('''ṡimm̃e̋e̋slu''')
*Descriptive words for near in-laws include father-in-law, mother-in-law, husband's brother, wife's brother, husband's sister, wife's sister, brother's wife, and sister's husband. Their children are known by the general terms son-in-law and daughter-in-law.
***the unicorn riders ('''pismı̋mlu''')
*The prefix '''paaþ-''' (< '''pa̋a̋ta''', nourish) is used to name foster father, mother, brother, and sister.
***the bird-bidders ('''m̃eȝe̋e̋vlu''')
*The suffix '''-m̨̃u''' is used to name step-father, -mother, -brother, and -sister.
**B. The Pyrans are:
*These descriptive words do not differentiate according to the sex of the ego.
***the Children of Puusanus ('''púúsanżőőnaþu''')
*For a complete list, v. [[Senjecas kin]].
***the watercourse dwellers ('''gavm̃e̋e̋slu''')
***the reindeer riders ('''tuntɛmı̋mlu''')
***the slingers ('''kı̋ı̋flu''')
**C. The Hydorans are:
***the Children of Neerus ('''neerżőőnaþu''')
***the lake dwellers ('''éherm̃e̋e̋slu''')
***the ostrich riders ('''kúrulmı̋mlu''')
***the blowpipers ('''m̃éɠora̋a̋gu''')
**D. The Humans are:
***the Children of Taronus ('''táronżőőnaþu''')
***the steppe dwellers ('''kébarm̃e̋e̋slu''')
***the horse riders ('''mormı̋mlu''')
***the archers ('''l̨őmlu''')
**E. The Xylans are:
***the Children of Perkunus ('''pérkunżőőnaþu''')
***the forest dwellers ('''furm̃e̋e̋slu''')
***the having-lots-of-body-hair ones ('''þ̨űűxmu''')
***the staff wielders ('''ba̋xlu''')
**F. The Lithans are:
***the Children of Kabeirus ('''kábeirżőőnaþu''')
***the mountain dwellers ('''ǧarm̃e̋e̋slu''')
***the tur riders ('''kiþmı̋mlu''')
***the battle-axe wielders ('''aǧe̋slu''')




[[Sefdaanian Ethnography Chapter 4 - Family]]
[[Sefdaanian Ethnography Chapter 5 - Customs and Social Life]]


[[Category:Concultures]]
[[Category:Concultures]]
[[Category:Ethnicities]]

Latest revision as of 10:37, 8 August 2025

Pronunciation table

peműko
(labial)
 riisűko
(dental) 		muitűko
(alveolar) 		vainűko
(palatal) 		ṡ̨uuše̋nos
(vowels with प) 		nı̋þo ṡ̨uuše̋nos
(weak vowels)
p
 b f v m̃ m t d þ ð ɫ l ṡ ż s z r n k g x ƣ h ȝ š s̨ i e a ɔ o u ı ɛ y
प
 ब फ भ म़ म त द थ ध ल़ ल च ज स स़ र न क ग क़ ग़ ह य स्व स्य इ ई
पि पी 		ए एै
पे पै 		अ आ
प पा 		ऒ ॵ
पॊ पॏ 		ओ औ
पो पौ 		उ ऊ
पु पू 		पं पऺ पॅ
/p/ /b/ /ɸ/ /β/ /m̥/ /m/ /t/ /d/ /θ/ /ð/ /l̥/ /l/ /ʦ/ /ʣ/ /s/ /z/ /ɾ̥/ /n/ /k/ /g/ /ç/ /ʝ/ /j̊/ /j/ /sʷ/ /sʲ/ /i/ /e/ /ä/ /ɒ/ /o/ /u/ /ɪ/ /ɛ/ /ʊ/


Family life - ðamǧı̋ı̋ra

  • Children are named after items found in nature (star, deer, bird, etc.) or after human attributes (strength, joy, etc.). The noun may take the adjectival suffix -ni indicating resemblance to, e.g., m̃e̋ini, like a bird. Or it may take the adjectival suffix -ri indicating full of, e.g., gővri, full of beauty. These adjectives are then placed in the -u declension, that of loquent beings: m̃e̋inu, gővru.
  • Among the Lithans, families take the name of the father; the patronymic prefix aþ- is used. It is considered an appositive, so is placed after the name. If necessary, the name of the settlement and the name of the region can be added. Thus, a Lithan male named daam̃a̋lu ("river strong"), whose father is named ma̋lru ("full of strength"), who lives in a village named miirkı̋lo ("peaceful village"), in the western river region m̃esda̋a̋n̨a would have the full name mezdaan̨a̋s miirkilős daam̃a̋lu aþ-ma̋lru.
  • Among the Pyrans, Hydorans, and Humans, families take the name of the mother in the same pattern as above. It is considered an appositive, so is placed after the name. Thus, a Pyran female named paike̋e̋ƣu ("white doe"), whose mother is named disűűlu ("bright sun"), who lives in a village named daane̋ðo ("river walk"), in the little river region pinda̋a̋n̨a would have the full name pindaan̨a̋s daaneðős paike̋e̋ƣu aþ-disűűlu.
  • A person is ordinarily addressed and spoken of using both the name and the patronymic/matronymic. Thus, the two individuals just named would be addressed and spoken of as dam̃a̋lu aþ-ma̋lru and paike̋e̋ƣu aþ-disűűlu.
  • It is possible for any of the People to receive an epithet for a great deed done, e.g., daam̃a̋lu mailka̋a̋ðlu, Riverstrong Wolf-slayer, but this epithet is not passed on to any children.
  • Boys and girls are not treated differently, except insofar as they are trained for their respective tasks in the family and the community.


Family size - ðamnőőla

The Ethrans

  • The Ethrans live in large compounds known as citadels (ðűűno). The population changes as the Ethrans are sent out on missions to other citadels or to various parts of the world for scientific or other investigation. There are six ranks of Ethrans:
  1. 6 mages (se̋ilu)
  2. 12 praetors (zı̋lþu)
  3. 36 archons (ka̋mþu)
  4. 144 assistants (þőnlu)
  5. 720 guardians (pőőþlu)
  6. 4,320 ministers (kűűlu)
  • The mages have been appointed as guardians and caretakers of the Six Loquent Peoples:
  1. Ȝumm̃a̋ku Ma̋nu (the archimage) of the Ethrans is responsible for the discipline of astronomy. His connection to the dweomery enables him to control the weather and airflow. The golden oriole (O. oriolus) is sacred to him.
  2. Ȝuma̋a̋þu A̋su of the Pyrans is responsible for the discipline of the physical sciences. His connection to the dweomery enables him to create and control fire. The robin (Erithacus rubicula) is sacred to him.
  3. Ȝumɫe̋ntu Sa̋þru of the Hydorans is responsible for the discipline of zoology. His connection to the dweomery enables him to control animals. The common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) is sacred to his.
  4. Ȝumm̃a̋ltu Arma̋itu of the Humans is responsible for the discipline of earth sciences. His connection to the dweomery enables him to create earthquakes, landslides, etc. The common rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus) is sacred to him.
  5. Ȝumȝa̋ku Aurva̋tu of the Xylans is responsible for the discipline of botany. His connection to the dweomery enables him to promote the growth and death of plants. The green woodpecker (Picus viridis) is sacred to him.
  6. Ȝumgővtu Ámerta̋tu of the Lithans is responsible for the discipline of arts. His connection to the dweomery enables him to make himself and those with him invisible. The jackdaw (Corvus monedula) is sacred to him.

The Pyrans

  • Since the Pyrans live about 200 years and the women go into estrus only once a year, family control is easy. In order to avoid overpopulation, only two to four children are produced in the Pyran family. The population does grow, but in a more-or-less controlled fashion. The Pyran family unit consists of the father and mother, and their minor children. If the father is the oldest living son, he may also have his parents living with them.

The Hydorans

  • Since the Hydorans live about 100 years and the women go into estrus only once a year, family control is easy. Anywhere from two to five children are produced in the Hydoran family. Since the mortality rate of children is high, the Hydorans tend to give birth to more children. Husbands do not live in the same dwelling with their families. All the men live in a communal house (m̃iira̋ito), including unmarried males when they reach their majority, and visit their wives when they wish. The family unit consists of the matriarch (senma̋a̋ma), her widowed sisters, her daughters, and their minor children. The family lives in a thatch house, known as an a̋ito.

The Humans

  • Human families will have from two to four children. It is important that there be a male child, more so than with the other three reproductive Peoples. The Human settlement (ṡe̋im̃o) consists of an extended family: a paterfamilias (ðamta̋a̋ta), his sons and their wives and their children and the children’s children. Enough males are needed to manage the family’s herd of horses. When the family herd becomes too large for the area to sustain, one of the younger sons will take his family and horses and become ðamta̋a̋ta in a new area. There is plenty of room in the steppes.

The Xylans

  • Each Xylan builds for himself a log cabin (raaþm̃e̋e̋so) in his personal territory in the forest. It is here that he keeps his supplies and personal items, but he is seldom in his cabin. The Xylans roam freely across the land.

The Lithans

  • Since the Lithans live about 300 years and the women go into estrus only every other year, family control is easy. In order to avoid overpopulation, only two to four children are produced in the Lithan family. The population does grow, but in a more-or-less controlled fashion. The family unit consists of the father and mother and their minor children. If the father is the oldest son, he may also have his parents living with them.


Inheritance - xe̋ȝa

  • In Pyran society all possessions are inherited patrilineally.
  • Because the men are away with the herds a large part of the year, the Humans adopted a matriarchal society. All possessions are inherited matrilineally, except for the horses, which are inherited patrilineally.
  • In Lithan society all possessions are inherited patrilineally.


Kinship system - paasta̋go

  • The kinship system used by the four procreating Peoples distinguishes all near relatives, both lineal and collateral. It is most like the Sudanese kinship system. Descriptive words for lineal relatives include father, mother, brother (extended to elder and younger), sister (extended to elder and younger), son, daughter, grandfather, and grandmother. General words for great grandfather and great grandmother, and for great grandson and granddaughter use the sex proclitics (male, ur-; female, ii-) to distinguish.
  • Descriptive words for collateral relatives include paternal uncle and aunt, maternal uncle and aunt, uncles' sons and daughters and aunts' sons and daughters. Any further collateral descendants are named cousin. The sex proclitics may be used to distinguish if desired.
  • With respect to marriage there are words for husband, wife, and co-wife.
  • Descriptive words for near in-laws include father-in-law, mother-in-law, husband's brother, wife's brother, husband's sister, wife's sister, brother's wife, and sister's husband. Their children are known by the general terms son-in-law and daughter-in-law.
  • The prefix paaþ- (< pa̋a̋ta, nourish) is used to name foster father, mother, brother, and sister.
  • The suffix -m̨̃u is used to name step-father, -mother, -brother, and -sister.
  • These descriptive words do not differentiate according to the sex of the ego.
  • For a complete list, v. Senjecas kin.


Sefdaanian Ethnography Chapter 5 - Customs and Social Life

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