Antaran Culture
From AuroraWiki
The culture of Antara is an ancient and deeply-rooted one. It has been since written history began a patriarchal society, where the men control the government and business, and women are home-makers and raise the family.
Contents |
People in the culture
Identity
- Main article: Antaran
- coming soon
Regional
- coming soon
Social System
Patriarchy
In Antaran culture and society, men have always led. They hold political offices, serve in and lead the military, and fulfill the religious functions of Antara. Women are in support roles only, do not serve in the military, and do not hold political office of any kind. Such has always been the case in Antara. Such will always be the case in Antara.
Social Class
There are three considered social classes in Antara. These are the Great Houses of the Aristocratic Class, the Upper Class, and the Common Class (which is itself broken down into Citizens and Civilians). Each is a reflection of wealth and social station.
Aristocratic Class
There are eleven Great Houses of Antara, whose blood-born members make up the Aristocratic class. They are -
- House of Belesarious
- House of Durla
- House of Umbacano
- House of Fordring
- House of Desann
- House of Banjeer
- House of Jeratai
- House of Greyhame
- House of Malachi
- House of Tavari
- House of Vastano
- House of Zaarin
Founded during the decades before the Second Antaran Empire, the eleven Great Houses of Antara are the wealthiest and most powerful families in the entire Dominion. They rose quickly to become the most prominent noble families of the Empire. Four of them were the Houses of the Four Wardens - the Emperor's most powerful and key nobles - Houses Belesarious, Durla, Jeratai, and Umbacano. The other six families were key military and regional administrators and leaders. The final family - the House of Vastano - was the Imperial Dynasty and considered first among them.
The Great Houses are looked upon with jealousy and hatred by some outside of Antara, in part for their vast political and social influence and in part for their vast, mind-boggling wealth. The Great Houses are rooted in the industries and businesses of Antara, and often times command the mightiest elements of said economy.
For example, the Houses of Belesarious and Umbacano dominate the industrial aspects of Antara's economy, while the House of Durla dominates shipping and transport, the House of Banjeer dominates finance, and the House of Jeratai is lead in good and services exchange. The businesses in Antara led by the Great Houses are common referred to as an Aristocorps.
- House of Belesarious
- House of Umbacano
- House of Durla
- House of Jeratai
- Jeratai Exchange Corporation
- House of Fordring
- House of Banjeer
- House of Desann
- House of Greyhame
- Securis International
- House of Malachi
- House of Zaarin
- Zaarin International
- House of Tavari
The Great Houses tended to gravitate towards a select number of provinces. Tritemma Province hosts the Houses of Belesarious, Desann, Malachi, and Banjeer. Kirono Province hosts the Houses of Durla and Fordring. Goldenmere Province hosts the Houses of Vastano and Tavari. Oceanward Province hosts the House of Jeratai. Oplovis Province hosts the House of Greyhame. Calipsa Province hosts the House of Umbacano, and Hammerfell Province hosts the House of Zaarin.
Upper Class
Common Class
Personal Discipline
From their earliest years, every Antaran is raised to discipline their emotions and restrain their strongest passions, reserving them only for private moments. Instead, Antarans are raised to be methodical, logical, and objective. The open display of emotion is inappropriate in a public setting, as it is through one's emotions that one may be at a disadvantage when dealing with others. The display of grief, affection, or any other emotion in a setting that is not restricted to family and intimate friends is discouraged and considered inappropriate.
To the outside world, an Antaran seems aloof and somewhat snobbish, but this is a gross misconception. The restraint of emotion and its display is a tradition that stretches back to the earliest centuries of Antaran history. What other peoples may dismiss as Antaran snobbery is, in fact, a deeply-seated cultural practice that gives Antarans a level, cool-headed approach to any situation.
Marriage
Joining of Souls
Marriage in Antara is a very important part of society, and the vows of joining are not taken lightly. When a young Antaran man and woman become married, they do so in two steps. The first ceremony they undergo is known as the iunctio animus, or Joining of Souls. In this ceremony, the man and woman are alone together in the inner sanctum of their chosen temple, with the only other person present being the Priest of Arkanon who is overseeing the rituals. The bride and groom are both completely naked, standing facing each other. They are holding each other's hands, and around their wrists are loosely tied the fidelitas, or Ribbons of Fidelity. After the priest says a series of short prayers, the woman gets down on her knees in front of her husband-to-be and supplicates herself, asking of him the honor of being his life partner, and vowing her lifelong obedience and devotion to him. The man then raises her back up onto her feet, and holding her face in his hands, pledges his strength and his lifelong honor to her care and protection. He then takes her hands in his and kisses them, before leaning in to kiss her on the lips.
Joining of Lives
After this ceremony is completed, the two don simple white robes (linen or silk depending on family social standing) and return with the priest to the outer sanctum, where their close families wait (parents, siblings, and grandparents only). There, they undertake the iunctio vita, or Joining of Lives, which more closely resembles the wedding rites of other nations.
Bonding
The rituals of marriage is followed by what is known as the ritual of bonding. During this ritual, the newlywed couple spend at least three full days alone together, with no outside interruptions. During this time, they will share their deepest feelings and fears with their companion, they will learn the depths of one another's mental and spritual strengths. Also during this time it is not only traditional it is expected that the two should be intimate as often as possible, as this also helps to build the bonds of the life the two will be sharing for the rest of their days.
Physical Contact
Within society, an Antaran man does not touch a woman that does not belong to him (i.e. bonded and married). To do so is to insult the dignity of the lady and the honor of the man. This practice is taught to all foreign diplomatic staff who serve in the Dominion, as it is a serious part of the dedication of a man and his wife to one another. It is also a severe cultural faux pas for a foreigner to even attempt to touch an Antaran, male or female. In Antaran tradition, unless he (or she) initiates the contact, none is to be extended.
Family traditions are somewhat standardized, despite differences in social standing. Fathers are loving towards their children, but fathers and sons seldom (if ever) openly display such affections. To his sons, a father shows his love in his words only, not through physical contact. To his daughters, he may embrace and kiss them in greeting, congratulations, or goodbye, but never in front of non family.
A special extension of this rule dictates that no one, no matter how highly placed, is to attempt to touch the Praetor or an Adamantine Lord, unless they themselves extend a hand in greeting first. Otherwise, proper greeting is a slight waist bow. Visiting dignitaries may touch the First Lady only if she proffers her hand, and at that time only to rest it atop their hand and bow over it. Other women will greet the First Lady with a curtsie or slight waist bow.
Grieving
Grieving is done privately, as well. Families keep their grief to themselves and do not share it with anyone outside their ranks except for extremely close friends, and even then only in the smallest amounts. The formal way friends share the grief of one another is the ancient phrase, "Ego lugeo per thee" - "I grieve with thee".
The only time the world may see Antara in a state of public grief is at the passing of a Praetor, as with the Emperors of old, only for their leader does the State grieve openly. After he is declared dead, his body is preserved and laid in state in the Temple of the One, where it remains for three days before the State funeral ceremony. The nation then enters a five-day mourning period, at the end of which the deceased Praetor is laid to rest as per his final instructions.
Antaran funeral and burial traditions have always been to cremate the deceased. The ashes are then scattered. Mostly upper-class families will bury their cremated loved ones in small specially-prepared urns.
Greeting
In Antara, when greeting someone, men will often times grasp forearmes just below the elbow. A man will greet a woman by allowing her to rest her hand on top of his and bowing over it. This is the only accepted contact between a man and woman who are not married.
Also, when an Antaran man introduces his wife to a guest or honored visitor, they will say, "May I introduce she who is my wife," gesturing to their spouse. It would be at this time that the guest or visitor would profer the accepted greeting to an Antaran lady. A man always introduces a lady, they never introduce themselves, nor are they approached in such a fashion. Such is as rude as attempting to touch an Antaran.
You will never provoke an Antaran man faster than to insult his mother or his wife. The two most precious people in his life, one rears and cares for him, the other supports and completes him. On the other hand, an Antaran's father is the one to whom he must pay his greatest respect, as the head of his family and early guide of his life. An Antaran man does not touch a woman that does not belong to him (i.e. bonded and married). To do so is to insult the dignity of the lady and the honor of the man. This practice is taught to all foreign diplomatic staff who serve in the Dominion, as it is a serious part of the dedication of a man and his wife to one another. It is also a severe cultural faux pas for a foreigner to even attempt to touch an Antaran, male or female. In Antaran tradition, unless he (or she) initiates the contact, none is to be extended.
The most common greeting in Antara is the Old High Antaran b'ala dash, mala'nore, or "Well wishes to you." This is an acceptable greeting for foreigners to use if greeting Antaran dignitaries or visiting with Antaran leaders in the Dominion itself.
When greeting someone of high station within Antaran society, one will bow at the waist. Should someone have the opportunity to greet the Praetor, you bow at the waist and avert your eyes, regardless of your station in society. Similar greeting is reserved for Adamantine Lords, as well. For a junior Adamantine to greet a senior one, the lesser Adamantine bows at the waist and averts his eyes if it is a Lord or the Praetor, otherwise it is a bow only. The sole exception to aversion of the eyes when bowing to the Praetor is the High Priest of the Ecclesiarchy, whose station as spiritual leader of the Antaran people grants him great respect from even the leader of Antara itself.
Language
- coming soon
Religion & Beliefs
- Main article: Ecclesiarchy
The faith of Antara - Arkanism - has been an established religion for over four thousand years. Its tenets are those of discipline, hard work, deep personal faith, and service. Its doctrines are those of hard work, duty, obedience, and thankfulness. All Antarans must work hard and earn a sound life for themselves. Duty is the cornerstone of life, with duty to Arkanon being the highest and noblest of all duties. Obedience is critical, as Arkanon admonishes all to respect and keep His laws and at the same time respect and keep the laws of the land. Thankfuless is expected, as all should be most thankful for life, health, and the blessings that the Creator gives His children.
Fashion
- Main article: Antaran Fashion
While many modern nations don business suits and the like, the people of Antara continue to wear the robes that were for untold centuries the main style of fashion. Fashioned from modern materials and using more modern styles, they vary from the light and breathy to the heavier and more formal. Antaran women will, in their older age, wear tasteful light veils around their heads, often as part of what is called a selat, or "wisdom band", which can be a circlet or a small skullcap-like affair.
In some ways, robes are worn to convey a certain standing within Antaran government or society. Robes of the deepest Antaran Blue are worn by the Priests of Arkanon, recognized by their simple but elegant design. The Adamantine Lords wear fine robes of jet black and scarlet, while the Praetor himself wears similar robes with deep Imperial Antaran purple instead of scarlet. The Senators wear silk robes of cobalt blue and black.
In older age, Antarans tend to wear lighter colors than they would in their younger years. For example, Antaran women begin wearing whites and soft shades in their early seventies and late sixties, while men do not transtition to lighter colors until their early seventies. Men do not, however, wear white and also do not wear certain light shades.
Despite the seeming archaic fashion, the Antaran robes continue to hold a popular niche in world fashion, and are mimicked in many nations for both formal and private function.
The Arts
- coming soon
Literature
- coming soon
Architecture
For centuries, the Classic Empire style has dictated architectural design in Antara. For the last thirty years, Art Deco has also been very popular, as it is capable of mixing well with the Classic style.
Visual art
- coming soon
Sculpture
- coming soon
Music
Music within Antara ranges from the inspiring and powerful Classical era to the smooth dancing music of the "Big Band" age of now. The culture of Antara has a rich musical heritage stretching back untold millennia, and this music speaks for the strength and beauty of Antara as much the glory of its deep, awe-inspiring history.
Performance art
- coming soon
Philosophy
- coming soon
Cuisine
- coming soon
Education
- Main article: Antaran Education
Education in Antara is tough but effective. It hardens young Antarans and prepares them for their futures, whatever they may be doing. Physical fitness is stressed as heavily as study is, and is part of the reason why Antarans have such an impressive life expectancy.
The education system in Antara forms every boy and girl from their early years. It prepares them for life in Antara and teaches them the discipline and skills that will serve them well throughout their lives. For many centuries Antara has employed the Agoge, a tradition it shares with Etruria, to harden its young men into leaders and soldiers who will serve their nation well in their lives.
Media & Popular Culture
- coming soon
Sports
- coming soon
