MotherLay 815 Share Posted January 25, 2022 The Culture of the Karosgradian Naumariav Peasantry Haeseni children playing outside the schoolhouse, circa. 1821 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I. Overview II. Lifestyle III. Language/Dialect IV. Common Attire V. Common Traditions VI. Common Names VII. Health VIII. Values ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Overview Though holding many of the same values as those they live under, peasantry life couldn’t be more different than nobility life. It is not an easy life, working every day, breaking your back to make sure your family is fed and clothed, not at all. The Haeseni peasants’ lives are drastically different from those in the gentry or nobility ranks, having their own set of values, traditions, lifestyles, and attire. They are a part of the Haeseni culture but have a culture of their own within it. Peasants are the unrecognized, the quiet workers who keep the nation running, even if they do not have much of a hand in politics. Without their work, without their strive to succeed in an impossible situation, Haense as we know it would fall to shambles. Lifestyle Peasantry’s lifestyle is undoubtedly rough. With late tax payments, juggling work and children, and constantly finding other means to feed themselves, there leaves little room for slacking. Each day they are presented with another struggle, and to survive, they depend on finding solutions for those issues they come across. Peasantry is a full life of hard work. One must work to make minas, one must work to find food, one must work to keep themselves from illness, and one must work towards making a better life for themselves- even if that dream is impossible. Housing: A common home for those who live in the lowest class has two rooms; the kitchen and then the bedroom. Even for larger families, with generations of adults or litters of children, it remains the same. Despite lack of space, they make do with what they have even if it means four or five children to a bed. The homes that people of the peasantry can afford usually have some sort of issue. Anywhere from a shabby stove to creaking walls, the houses are mostly run-down, and that is what makes them so cheap. Despite the less-than-perfect homes, peasants typically take value in their lodging, keeping what they have in tip-top presentability. Family: Most often, despite the lack of funds, peasant couples tend to have a great number of children. Anywhere from five to seven is average among the people. Though, because of the lack of medical care and treatments for their newborns, many children pass away within the first five years of life. Like noble families, many generations live within their home, even though the space they have is not even a quarter of the keeps around Haense. And like noble houses, the women who marry go to live with their husbands and their family, usually, it is only the men who stay. As time passes, and the boys grow into men and begin families of their own, they will release themselves from their nest and attempt to start anew, letting such process continue once more. Work: Most peasants hold some sort of job, even if their main one is to stay at home with the children. The men hold more permanent careers, getting into various trades (carpentry, masonry, farming, baking, military, etc), while the women, who mostly take care of the children find either freelance work (sewing, childcare, washing clothes, etc) or full-time work like servantry or healing. Even children are subjected to long days of work alongside their general schooling. They find little ways to make minas (newspaper delivery, shoe-shining, stable help, etc) and contribute to their family’s wellbeing. Hunger: A peasantry family on average has one and a half meals a day. To break their fast, they may munch on some loaf of bread, and for dinner, a common meal is vegetable stew. If they are lucky though, that vegetable stew might just turn into a chicken stew, but only on occasion. Children, who have not yet found a way to control their hunger, are prone to stealing food at a much higher rate than adults. They may ****** an apple or two, while an adult holds pride within themselves, and rejects much of the free food offered. Hygiene: Being in the North, it is cold. Most peasants, who do not have a bathtub available to them, bathe within the river. When it is cold, however, many refrain from doing such, rather, giving a light sponge bath with a bucket at home, and not so often either. None wish to contract an illness such as hypothermia, as that is a death sentence for the unfortunate. Peasants wash their hair with shampoos and scents once a year, and this is usually when it is warmer and they can bathe within the river. When washing their bodies, they use soap every time, though only a small amount of it. They conserve the amount they use, hoping to keep that same bar of soap for a long period of time; it is not cheap. Language/Dialect Peasant language is not much different than New Marian, though many words or phrases may be mashed together in one word. Their accent is thicker than noble Haeseni, but their way of speaking is less refined; improper even. Their accent may be seen as a reflection of a peasant’s lack of education and proper upbringing, though that speculation is more widely assumed by the people of nobility. [Guide to New Marian] https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/197320-a-guide-to-new-marian/ Common Attire For women: Common attire for Haeseni women consisted of warm, bundled clothes. Seeing as the nation is located Northward, it is fairly certain that you will see snowfall and freezing temperatures throughout most of the year. With most labor taking place outside, and little access to greatly heated areas, the average Haeseni needs to keep themselves from freezing. A headscarf is common among women as well, the individual patterns of each showcasing the uniqueness of each woman, and allows them the luxury of style. Though pants are reserved for men most often, Haeseni women adorn bloomers for that extra bit of warmth. It is imperative for Haeseni people to wear thick fabrics and warm garments, as hypothermia seems to be the leading cause of death among their people. Even the poorest own such attire, placing its need above food, even. For men: Like women, men adorn heavy and warm attire, entrapping as much heat as possible within the icy breezes of Haeseni winters. They wrap themselves up in three layers of clothing: the undershirt, the overshirt, and the fur coat. Most of the coats worn by Haenseni peasants are worn and second-hand, having most likely been a shabby piece of work since its purchase. On the legs, they wear average trousers- and if they have a great payday, perhaps even ones made of wool. Boots are common among both men and women, generally lined with fur inside and leather on the outside. Though, for the lesser of fortune types, they adorn shoes made of cheap padding and bearskin. For more common clothing traditions, take a look at Traditional Haeseni Dress and Attire- 328 E.S. The article also lists many of the more detailed costumes in Haeseni attire. https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/193157-traditional-haeseni-dress-and-attire/ Common Traditions Nachalo Vesna Every passing year, there is a grand familial feast held, where each home celebrates the spring season, where their crops begin to grow and the warmth begins to file in. Many common Haeseni cuisines are prepared, such as Janz Dinna, Mutton Stew, and Prikaburren Jam with Bread. After a long canonist prayer, one of the family’s preferential choosing, they engorge into their food, eating and laughing together on their one true free day off. Many families set aside minas each year to find the food they eat, as the prices of many of these dishes can be handsome. It is the biggest meal of the year and is celebrated throughout many communities of Haeseni peasants. Koeng’s Nachnite On the eve of the first day of a new month, every month, families light a candle in honor of their Koeng, setting it on the ledge of their front-facing window. It is a belief that, by doing so, they are instilling good luck to their Koeng so that he may be provided the best answers to keep their nation thriving. There are three different methods of this ritual, each displaying its own meaning. Front-facing window candle - The family is content with the Koeng, and believes that he is doing what is right for the sake of the nation. Side-facing window candle - This is considered an act of rebellion, and is a rare occurrence. It symbolizes that the family believes the Koeng has turned his head from their well-being, and they are unhappy with the environment he has created for them. No candle - The family rejects the Koeng and his authority entirely. This is the most uncommon method, and in the ritual’s history, is only said to have been completed once or twice. There are heavy consequences to such a bold move, and they are dealt with accordingly. Only the stupid are bold enough to make such a claim. Tanets Smerti When a member of the community passes, their funeral has been held, and their body is lowered into the dirt; the people gather in the most central location of the village to perform what they call, “Tanets Smerti”. It is a dance, one with a set rhythm and composition, but one without the constraints of choreography. As the music is played, by the one or two gifted musicians in the community, the people dance in honor of the fallen, letting the rhythm guide them into the motions they feel Godan wants them to make. The piece lasts for five minutes or so and acts as one happy, final send-off of their beloved peer. After the dance closes, the mourning period begins. The Last Drink Of Death “Following the funeral ceremony and the cremation of the dead’s body, a solemn feast begins in memory of the fallen kinsman and comrade. At the beginning of the feast, a toast is given to the fallen, called the ‘Last Drink of Death’, to which each pours half the contents of their glass upon the floor. After which, everyone must finish the drink. A prayer is given shortly after, and the feast commences” (Tradition found in the article, Haeseni People- link at the bottom of the article). Barovifest Barovifest is a festival that joins commoners and nobility alike, allowing them to drink and celebrate together in harmony. There are multiple parts of the celebrations, some happening a week before, and some happening the day after. https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/189754-barovifest-the-day-of-serfs-or-the-day-of-all-souls/ Health Haeseni peasants are by far the most susceptible group to disease. Surrounded by illnesses, poor hygiene, and lack of proper portions of meals, peasants find themselves sick the most often. As mentioned previously, hypothermia is the leading cause of death among the group, its place just before smallpox. If you cannot afford the proper clothes, your lifespan is lessened considerably. With most of the class working outdoors, even in such conditions, it is easy to catch a chill; for your body to drop in temperature. Pregnancy. With so many children, come many miscarriages. With a lack of nutrition and no sign of a stress-free time, women are more likely to not come to term with their children. Though a horrid thing, and a heartbreaking time, it is common, and most peasant women experience it at least once in their child-bearing years. Coming to term is not rare, no, but successfully birthing a child is what is on the fence. In many instances, during labor, a baby will be born stillborn, or a mother will lose too much blood during it and perish. Infant mortality rates are high, and childbirth is the fifth-highest cause of death amongst the group. Treatment. Most likely, within Haeseni peasant communities, there will be a healer. They are separate from the capital’s clinic, and seemingly work by their own rules. Their practices may be questionable to those with higher education. Despite the differences and less reliability, peasants flock to those healers, as they are usually well-respected members of the community and the cheapest option. Values The Unspoken Rule. Many Haeseni peasants, who hold dignity and pride within themselves, cling to the unspoken rule amongst their communities. You do not take what you did not work for. Having been put into their position, many Haeseni believe that the way to Godan’s heart is through the work they do every day. Taking cheats; such as free food, minas, or clothes, are seen as insincere, and it does not hold the values that they think Godan wishes for them to have. They are work-driven people, using their service as a way to remain pious to Godan so that one day, their hard work might pay off in the seven-skies. Though a hungry child might take up such an offer without requesting work, an adult would be quick to refuse, offering their service in repayment for their gift. This value is closely related to Biharism - The Agrarian Dream, found within the article, Haeseni People (linked at the bottom). Family. Generally, peasants retain a strong drive for their families, working for their well-being, caring for them, and living for them. Families stick together within the community, and when asked what they work so hard for, other than their dedication to Godan, they respond noting their loyalty to their family, wishing to provide them with all that they can so that they might be comfortable in such an uncomfortable life. Homestead. A person’s home is their pride and joy, their work and their effort are all poured into creating this space for them and their family. Peasants work hard to keep their home in tip-top shape, repairing what is broken, and upgrading what is not. They are not willing to settle for anything less than the best they can do for their homestead. Biharism - Jermanic Liberties. “To each freeman is his own life, to take it is to be a thief, To each freeman his own time, to take it is to be a slaver, To each freeman his own sword, to take it is to blind him, To each freeman his own wife, to take it is to injure him, And to each freeman his own farm, to take is to make him no man.” https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/176508-haeseni-people/ 25 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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