The Djian People [Culture]

[Guest]

Qaranka of Djian

~LORE~

 

Deep in the swamps and marshes down south, where diseases consume prey and predator, there was a people who lived in the murk. The Djian people inhabited a large swamp that they named Qaranka ga Sooraan. How they came to be is stranger and more alien than any species indigenous to the land. . .

 

Oquul Gandana was the first. He was born to uncertain parents on an uncertain night, and was stolen the day of his birth. Who could’ve stolen such a worthless baby? Moreover, what could’ve done this? A bahal. The Zahaste word for crocodile. Yet, there was a spiritual aura of this bahal that restricted it from eating the infant. The bahal took her little Oquul in. ‘Twas what truly started the Djian people, trust between animal and man.

 

From then on, a people lived amongst the marsh creatures, a people helped the marsh creatures, and a people loved the marsh creatures. Their spirits were said to transcend into a Nagaano, a marsh creatures’ body. This did not mean that the marsh creature was forever controlled, it meant that the marsh creature forever had a friend.

 

Djian people hold no strategical prowess in the art of war, except for being unique masters of guerilla warfare. They would defend the borders of the Qaranka ga Sooraan until the Zwe forsook them.

 

Ashishe Zwe was the Night of the Burnt Land, when their Nagaano were destroyed, and their Nagaan ran with fear. Fire consumed the marsh, and there is now nothing there but ash and soot. The cause was unknown, but what is known, is that the Djian needed to flee. Their current leader, Uku Ophete Bahal, (Named after Oquul’s crocodile-mother,) fled with his remaining Djian family to the deserts of San’Orka, where they would hope to find sanction.

 

~Beliefs~

 

Uku Ophete has heard nothing but religious boundaries in Oren, thus he bids his people away from there. Djian worship their own Gods. However. . . they aren’t quite Gods, moreover they are spirits of fallen Djian. These spectral beings are known as Nagaan. The Nagaan are found in the animals of the lands. However, certain people go into certain Nagaano, or host bodies. Here is the list:

 

• Sikhe Nagaan - Swans, cranes, jays, quails, hawks, and other majestic birds.

• Gandana  Nagaan - Crocodiles, bears, alligators, wolves, and other mighty beasts.

• Thengisi Nagaan - Monkeys, mice, foxes, frogs, hares, and other clever species.

• Umholi Nagaan - Cows, deer, sheep, chickens, and other domestic animals.

• Ophete Nagaan - Hippopotomi, elk, bulls, falcons, cobras, and other leader-like creatures.

((I know, many of these creatures are not of the swamp, but they are still what a Nagaan would occupy.))

 

~System~

 

The Djian have a government consisting of a few big leader types:

 

• Uku Ophete - This is the leader Ophete, who governs all, and whose word is final. He is the only one who may convene meetings and moots, and he must be a man.

• Kwesibili Ophete - This is the successor of the Ophete, usually related through blood. This one must also be a man, and must advise the Uku when he deems it necessary.

• Sehli Ophete - Speaker of all women. She advises all on what is fair for the women of the society, as they are just as important as their men. Sehli are usually in relationships with the Uku.

• Amancu Ophete - Chieftains of their Udenas. They work together to situate the military and to suit the common needs.

((Take note that this system is small, as the population would be small too.))

 

~Language~

 

• Salaanta - Hello

• Nabeylo - Goodbye

• Aad - You

• Aay - Me

• Ga - Of

• Yes - Tahay

• No - Dhawen

• Ophete - Leader

• Sehli - Woman/Girl/Lady

• Kwesibili - First/Next in line

• Amancu - Father

• Sancu - Mother

• Lancu - Sister/Daughter

• Mancu - Brother/Son

• Udena - Family

• Gandana - Fight/Fighter

• Qaranka - City/Nation/Home/Place

• Zwe - Nature

• Ashishe - Burn/Burnt

• Nagaan - Ancestor

• Nagaano - Host body.

 

~Accent~

 

Most Djian people are deep toned, both in skin and in voice. Therefore, they cannot always pronounce words as thoroughly as they would please. Here is an example:

 

“That was far better than we’ve been doing it.”

“Taht be fah beddah dan we’av ben do’in et!”

 

Here are the tips. With a word that consists of TH, move the H a letter ahead. (Just, move the H somewhere else, remove letters if necessary.) Example :

“Threat.”

 

“Treht”

 

If words end in -r- or -er- then it is best to replace it with -ah-. Example:

“Runner”

“Runnah.”

 

Replace the letter -g- with apostrophes, and replace most -i’s- with -e’s-.

 

Note: This does not apply to the language itself, as Zahaste words should come naturally to a Djian.

~Names~

 

Naming is simple, take an animal, and rename the species. (Weird, right.) Then, grab a suffix for a profession, which originates from these titles:

 

• Umholi - Commoner

• Sikhe - Pastor/Priest/

• Gandana - Warrior

• Thengisi - Merchant

• Ophete - Leader

 

~Features~

 

Djian people are much like Southerons. However, they are typically darker, and if a Gandana, they’re typically larger. Djian are made to climb and vault over objects and wade through murky, thick waters. So they should appear to be physically fit at all times. Whereas women hold long dreadlocks, men are known for being bald. They dress oddly, usually covered with crocodile pieces. (Yes, Djian kill Nagaan for their resources, as they believe that the Nagaan will find a new host.)

 

 

(This culture was inspired by the Zande, Zulu, Swahili, and other African tribes and cultures. I also decided to through in a bit of swamp-lurker for flair. :D)

 

~Applications to be a Djian~

 

MC NAME:

DJIAN NAME:

PROFESSION:

BACKGROUND:

[Jonificus 2711]

Ukhozi Ophete approves.

[Dyrr 137]

I like it! 

[Birdwhisperer 1173]

This current Guild has been deemed inactive and has hereby been moved.

If you wish to appeal this decision you must present evidence to myself proving the guild is still active.