Culture Assignment

History and food-related information

Cyrophena is a nation that consists of many tribes, and one main tribe the Herrians who serve as the main form of government. Each of the tribes have elected a leader, and rule their own regions, then once a month each of the tribe leaders report to the Herrians about new developments within their community, conflicts, as well as possible suggestions to improve the Cyophenian government. The Herrians were the ones who founded the Cyrophenian government. According to their heritage, there is a principle in which they must give to others. Another principle in which they have is to try to reduce suffering as much as possible. So in the early days of the founding Gerone, the most kind of the leaders, decided to talk to the other tribes and decided to establish trade with them. Eventually, the other five tribes came to respect Gerone because of his kindness and decided to form a coalition with him. This was due to respective conflicts within their own tribes, as well as a threat coming from outside their borders from the land Hirogylphia. Hirogylphia was an imperialist-like country, he would not accept their “savage” ways. So the 5 tribes decided to join together, in order to stop Cyrophena from being invaded. Luckily, it was a success, and ever since then they started to live in harmony.

Since the Herrians had the most land, each one of the tribes paid the Herrians their certain due after the end of each month, whether in the form of goods or money. In exchange the Herrians would send some of their men to consult with each of the tribes for counseling and guidance (the Herrians are the most advanced of governance out of the five tribes.)

For food supplies, one of the five tribes Loresa, takes care of food, because they are the smallest tribe, and furthermore have the most land. In exchange, the Berrons (another tribe), help them in regards to farming technology, such that even a small population like them should be able to farm a lot of food. In regards, the Berrons help deliver the food to the other tribes. For meat, and seafood though the Veresa’s take care of that since they live closest to the sea, and have the most amount of pigeons within their area. Since there is a lack of cows and sheep within the area, pigeon and other animals such as duck and fish, are their main source of meat. (Also including anything seafood related.)

Gestures/Body Language

For them a thumbs-down sign is a declaration of war, especially between tribesmen, this is why it is quite fortunate they have not assimilated with foreigners within the country, or else there would have been a lot of wars by now. For body language, whenever someone’s palms are not facing towards you, or you are not laughing other tribesmen will suspect you are suspicious and are hiding something, also one most walk with their feet slightly 2 footprints apart, to show that you are swearing loyalty to the Cyophenian government, because if you don’t they will deem you an imperialist.

Values/ethical/Justice system:

According to their values, everyone should respect everyone within the community, and their providing for the family and tribe should be their utmost priority. As for ethics, no killing and stealing is allowed, if they do steal, then they are to have an arm or a leg chopped off, this is so they could spend the rest of their life repenting for the crimes. For the justice system, each tribe usually decides within their own tribes in regards of what to do with the criminals, according to the general rules in that the Herrians have established. If there is a crime that is not able to be solved within their own community, they then bring it up with the Herrians, and the Herrians will then schedule a day in which all 5 representatives of the tribes are present in order to think of a punishment suitable for that certain crime.

Rights/Responsibilities of Ages/other cultural divisions in society:

There is not that much cultural divisions as most of the people tend to stay in their tribes since they are young until they grow up, the only exception is if someone stays with someone from another tribe, if that is the case the person with the least amount of inheritance moves to the spouse’s home which has the most amount of inheritance. As for other cultural divisions, this is extraordinarily rare but every now and then a person will choose to be a nomad. A nomad is a person who constantly travels throughout Cyrophena and does not have a job, but in exchange for staying in a certain place he will exchange information about the other tribes to elders for refuge.

As for responsibilities of ages, everyone must pay their respects to the elders they mostly give kind advice, most of the elders are also known to have great affinity with the spirits, so by treating them nicely, it is as if you are wishing yourself great health and luck. For children, they do not go to school until the age of 7, and are to be educated until the age of 14. From 14-20, each of them then specialize as an apprentice in their assigned field of study whether it will be agriculture, education or some other field, then after 20 they join the workforce. From the age of 14-30, any of them are eligible to be married, although it is mostly decided by their parents and the tribe leader. While they are married and have children they are designated to work within their field within the tribe only, unless it has been discussed with the tribe leader beforehand.

Beliefs in Supernatural

The people of Cyrophena very much believe in the supernatural, they believe it is due to the will of the land has been able to prosper. Also, they believe there are spirits that control various things such as water, and wind.  It is such that once in a year they have a festival for each of the spirits such as the water festival, the wood festival etc.

Economic assumptions/other ideologies shared:

Everyone thinks that their kingdom is currently prosperous and they have plenty of resources and money, the truth is they are not. This is due to the Herrians hiding a lot of information from them regarding economic strategy and trade matters. In truth they have been lying to the tribes who have more of things saying that they have less so that they could upkeep harmony between the tribes.

As for ideologies shared, each one of them believe that each of their tribe is equal is stature to the other (this is not entirely true), but for the sake of peace, they will upkeep it. Second, each one of them believes they should not be at war with each of their brothers (or fellow tribesmen) (this will be violating social taboo.) As for ideologies, they also dislike the Imperialists-as this is what thus far makes them unite each other, and makes them willing to trade with each other.

Family Structure

For family structure it is the standard nuclear family including mother, father and child. Although it is common for a woman to have more than one husband since there is a lack of females within the overall population. Also, if a female has more than one husband, she is entitled to travel between the 5 tribes without being classified as a nomad. Elders are entitled to their own housing according to the government.

Kinship definition

Kinship is referred to individuals in which one knows within their own tribe, everyone within their tribe is to refer to each other as “brother”, “sister”, “Uncle”, “Aunt”, the only exception being “Father” and “Mother, in which the individuals biological father and mother could only be referred to by this title.

Sexual regulations of society, consent, and what is incest

Only wife and husband may have sex with each other, before people are married they are not allowed to have sex. As for consent, it is to approved by the tribe head, for the person’s approval to marry and for the marriage to be registered. Incest is defined as a sex between a close relative such as a brother, sister, mother, or father, uncle, aunt, grandfather, or grandmother. Cousins are excluded from this rule.

Manners, Celebrations, and Holidays

It is accustomed to smile, and wave at someone and say out loud Shariah when you greet someone from your own tribe. If you are greeting someone from a different tribe you say out loud Hoteka. Only when greeting your close family such as mother, father, sister, uncle, etc, are you not obligated to say the following but just wave and small.

The 5 tribes do not have a word called goodbye. In fact, it is rather rude to mention this, because this means “I will absolutely not see you again.” Also, in regards to mannerisms it is expected to smile, even when angry, as it is considered rude when you do not.

For Celebrations they celebrate the Water Sprit Festival, the Wood spirit festival and more. Apparently, the day you are born is not celebrated and only the month you are born is celebrated in order to save time and hassle.

For holidays, Sunday and Monday are the days in which people usually have a day off. The only exception is public service workers who still have to work during those days but they could still have two days off the week off on other days (in any order) to make sure they are functioning properly.

Objects/Status/Worship that delineate society

People worship the spirits by having wooden dolls within their home. The red wooden doll represents the fire spirit, a blue wooden doll represents the water spirit and such.

Status is usually attained by the following by some great invention or contribution, hours of community service (paid or unpaid), or by doing a great act of service (such as the individual risking their life, or an act of bravery).  Worship usually takes place within the individual’s own home, the only exception being that the people are allowed to worship the spirits by dancing around the campfire, which usually takes place during February.