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Cultural Identities and Integration
Written, translated and complied by Gabrielle Forsythe, Xenoanthropologist
Volume Two: The Jaddan
Foreword:
Even though Humans have lived on the planet of Haelrahv for about 200 years, many of us still do not understand the cultural and behavioral norms of the other inhabitants, which I believe holds us back from further growth, not only as Humans but as Haelrahvians. Thus, through this series, I hope to give greater insight into these cultures.
As I mentioned in the previous volume, my research has centered on how integration has affected the cultural identities of Haelrahvian inhabitants. In order for integration to be successful, a balance must be created between the old and the new cultures otherwise conflicts arise. For the most part, nations only integrate norms that harmonize with their own cultural construct. Shifting these norms to fit a societal structure often means the disruption of the individual's cultural identity, as well as the society as a whole.
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Additionally, one must keep in mind the difference between the public and private circles. The public sphere incorporates the state or nation's overall beliefs and the private sphere incorporates what is believed personally or within a small group. Often these two do not mesh, providing further stress to an already tense situation.
The Jadda are a perfect example of how old and new customs strive to reach equilibrium. I first traveled to Wargale decades ago during my initial investigation of the Jadda. Ritual was all around them and their lifestyle included many rites and ceremonies, which supported even the smallest of menial tasks. With the arrival of both the Humans and the Darju, several of those formalities have changed, as I discovered during my return visit.
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As told by Kahkoha Pochu and compiled by Gabrielle Forsythe:
I lead a simple and routine life with each day spent much like the last. This day began like any other, but I knew from the moment I woke that it would be different. As usual, I rose with the sun, dressed in the same old ruhbach and broke my fast before heading towards our small private shrine for morning meditation. My father, the current High Priest of Na'vago's main shrine, and grandfather, the former High Priest, customarily joined me unless they were away on Order business. The way of the Guardian has been the way of my namo for many generations. Even before the Order was official, my relatives still followed its practices. In fact, the estate we now reside in was gifted to us for our years of loyalty and service. In keeping with tradition, I have also sworn my life to uphold the good name of our namo and the Order.
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The streets were already bustling with activity by the time my morning ritual had ended and I entered the city proper. I passed a few members of the traditionalist party as I slowly strode to my destination. Nothing unnerves me more than the traditionalist crowd. Traditions are meant to uphold the desirable qualities of our society not hinder them. They can't admit that customs can change for the better, or even change at all. I recognized one of the faces. Mumararu Rochn had been one of my father's disciples. He was also a staunch traditionalist, so I tried to pass without notice, but Mumararu called out to me.
"Kahkoha, how nice to see you again. Might I introduce Nushavaj Vaha, of the Twin Crescents School of Magery." Mumararu said.
I glanced at Nushavaj. I outranked him in every way but one, my gender. I have risen fairly high in rank among the Order, but I will never be able to follow in my father's footsteps and the long-standing practice of our namo holding the High Priest position will soon end. Simply, according to the traditions women can never achieve the same status as men. We work as hard, or harder, than our male peers and can never achieve the same Vakn status. There are powerful Jaddan women and many have made a name for themselves in our society, like Chara Gukakuv, the Archmage, but it is not a common occurrence and I am afraid that I will never get the chance to prove myself.
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Despite my personal dislike of the custom, I could not dishonor Nushavaj by not properly responding, so I knelt before him and waited for his blessing. As I felt the weight of his hand on my head and heard the words of blessing in my ear, I mechanically rose and embraced him. We chatted for a few minutes before I gave them my leave, bowed, and turned back to my appointed path. There was a time when everyone greeted for the first time in that manner, but it has slowly grown out of favor over the years and for that I am glad. The encounter reminded me of a lesson my father once taught in his classes. Many often wondered how our ways could have endured with so little change over the years. My father explained, "That is the nature of the Jadda. Do you not remember what the Haduroch forged us from? Let me tell you the tale as my vago told me.."
"Back in the Age of Legends, after the Haduroch had battled with Ilav and won, and the repairs to the planet had been made, they decided to create children to populate the wonderful world they had founded. They studied all of their creations and concluded it would be best to model their children after what they had already made. So the Haduroch reflected and one of them suggested they fashion their children from the trees. Trees were beautiful and graceful, yet sturdy. It was the perfect material from which to build a species."
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"So they gathered the finest of woods and carved it into tall lithe creatures, which they called Eolai. They breathed life into the Eolai and watched as they grew. Indeed the Eolai were beauteous and agile, but like the trees they fought each other to have their spot in the sun and spent their days trying to best each other. Although the Haduroch were proud of their creation, they were not content. In their eyes, perfect children should not fight but work together."
"So they decided to try again. One of them noticed how the streams melded together in harmony with the ocean and suggested harnessing the currents. So they weaved the flows of air into a shell and filled it with the tides. The Haduroch named these creatures Alteri, and as with the Eolai, they breathed life into them and observed. Indeed the Alteri were in harmony, for they had developed the ability to hear each other's thoughts, but they were also fickle, unpredictable and fond of playing tricks. While the Alteri proved amusing to the Haduroch, they were still not satisfied. So the Haduroch agreed that they would try one last time to create the children they longed for."
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"Again they reflected and this time they all came to the conclusion that their children should be made from stone. The mountain was sturdy and predictable, yet was formed from the cooperation of many stones. So the Haduroch cut a chunk from the mountain's crust and carved their creation from the rock. These creatures they deemed the Jadda, and as before they breathed life into them and watched. The Jadda indeed were the perfect children: stoic and strong, brave of heart and calculating of mind. The Haduroch were finally content, these were the perfect children."
Indeed, we are like the rock, the unflinching and unchanging. Ceremonies of ages past are still practiced and many of the old ways still hold firm in our society, but during my lifetime I've seen so much change. It almost seemed as if the rock was crumbling. The old ones are too closed-minded. But who am I to judge, those traditions we all practice have brought us to this point in our development. Perhaps it is more that they do not comprehend that those institutions, which have upheld the Jadda thus far, were also at one time shifting to become what they are today. They did not come fully written but were developed over the ages. I forced the negative thoughts from my mind as I continued on. They are old and I am still relatively young. Soon they will return to the sky and to the light of Na'vago, and customs will change to better suit our shifting world.
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Winding through the streets toward the center of Wargale, I noticed as the buildings became more robust and a heavy sense of mysticism hung in the air as I entered the older sections of the city. Just as I thought the day was returning to normal, I heard shouting from around the next bend. A small crowd had gathered around two men. The merchant, an older Eolai gentleman, still stood behind his cart; the other, a rugged Human dressed in battered armor, was obviously a tourist. I made my way through the throng and stopped for a moment to listen to their argument.
"But that was the deal!" the merchant exclaimed, "Can't change the deal now that's made!"
"You swindled me old man!" yelled the tourist as he leaned in over the stall's counter.
The argument continued on for a moment, and then I saw the glint of metal appear in both men's hands as the merchant moved from behind his stall to confront the tourist. In the space of a breath I cleared my mind as I had done so many times before. The air felt charged with negative energy. Time seemed to slow as I saw the two men begin to circle each other. I could feel the minds of the two pulsating with anger and fear. I reached out with my consciousness and attempted to exert my will over the two men as I commanded them to stop and drop their weapons. Almost instantly both men ceased all movement and blankly stared at me as the weapons fell from their hands. I stepped between them and reached into my pocket. Grabbing some bills I placed them in the tourist's hand.
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"Will this cover it?" I asked him.
"Umm, yeah, that'll be just fine." he replied. Not even glancing at the cash he backed away into the crowd and was gone.
"Thank you miss," said the merchant as he bowed.
I nodded to him and added, "I suggest using a less violent method of solving your disputes in the future."
He cast his eyes to the ground and nodded. I turned and continued on my way. Too many are quick to bring violence, especially over something as petty as a few dollars. Although, I do feel ashamed for using money to solve the situation, normally I would have talked things through with the two men. Too much had been running through my mind for me to come up with a proper response.
The sun was already past the mid-way point by the time I arrived at the construction site. Recently, I have been assisting our Order in its restoration project. We visit the shrines that have been damaged by time and neglect and rebuild them to their former condition, or as close as we can get. Most of the work was manual labor, but the lowest to the highest ranked among us partook.
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This shrine was larger than most we have encountered thus far, and the work was nearly completed. Actually by the look of things, the work must be completed for there were far more Guardians occupying the shrine today than had in the many days of reconstruction. They must have gathered for the cleansing ritual. Groups of monks milled about discussing a variety of topics. A few adjusted statues in their niches, making sure the angles were correct and a few cleaned or polished stones that to the naked eye looked spotless. All must be perfect for the arrival of the Grandmaster. He personally aided in the ritual cleansing of each refurbished altar before allowing it to be reopened to the public.
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Acolytes helped me and some of the others don our robes. They then washed our hands and faces to ready us for our task. As the sun began to set, a low hum began to resonate inside the shrine. We began to chant and moved in from around the temple to encircle the altar. We continued to chant slowly and moved in a circular rotation around the large stone. Time had no meaning for us in this state and our only thoughts were on cleansing the energy inside this holy place. We chanted into the night and when the sun rose and shined brightly on our faces the chanting abruptly stopped. We then knelt and gave a prayer to Na'vago, asking that again faith be cultivated in this spot and grow strong.
Exhausted we staggered from the shrine and laid in tents that had been prepared for us. Without a doubt, this day had proven to be more than any other day. Not only because of the events that occurred but because I was reaffirmed in the strength of the Jadda and in what Na'vago has in store for us. I see now that even though one rock may fall to pieces, the others around it will grow taller and stronger from its remains.
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