Bishdani

The people of the Bishdan Peaks are commonly known as the Bishdani, however they call themselves the Bish or Bishu. The Bishdani are one of the oldest groups of the Oristani, having inhabited the Bishdan Peaks since time immemorial. Among the Bishdani there are no stories of how they came to the region, rather they consider themselves as always having lived there as part of the land.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Aidla, Akhi, Aghva, Alen, Alik, Alyan, Amal, Anki, Anshu, Asmal, Avla, Azra, Baidsa, Bagri, Bedjou, Chennar, Chiva, Dalit, Dever, Dikar, Dzad, Dzovi, Gada, Galid, Garni, Galeet, Gayna, Grag, Hamsa, Harpa, Haver, Hayat, Jedib, Jood, Jark, Kamni, Kanoor, Karn, Keghet, Lar, Leem, Lor, Lorgi, Marlik, Medak, Nahla, Narhe, Naron, Orig, Ovass, Palen, Palig, Paloon, Parin, Pezoukh, Poregh, Salip, Sanha, Sergi, Sevha, Siva, Tamar, Tavet, Tsol, Vanya, Vargen, Yar, Yazh, Yerveg, Zabel, Zarat, Zevur, Zvar

Masculine names

Andra, Andrik, Arakh, Arshen, Artak, Avet, Baghdar, Barseg, Bogor, Davit, Darin, Gagikh, Ghazar, Ghevon, Gurgh, Hakyo, Harut, Hovan, Hraan, Hrach, Jarii, Kharpet, Kharnel, Kikor, Levaan, Manogh, Manukh, Marto, Messid, Mugesh, Narekh, Nazet, Nazhet, Neirsus, Perot, Raffit, Sakha, Sarghit, Sevigh, Tigran, Vaghar, Vahan, Varda, Vazag, Yevra, Zareg

Family names

Abjan, Adian, Agopa, Ajemin, Akopy, Andon, Apkal, Arakli, Avak, Ayzav, Babya, Bagdan, Basma, Bedor, Bogho, Boyja, Boyna, Davim, Demjir, Dered, Donba, Garab, Gapsa, Ghari, Ghazr, Hapgo, Hakim, Harout, Hartu, Hova, Kalja, Kalout, Kaper, Karap, Kazha, Kesh, Kevor, Khrik, Khurk, Magar, Malka, Manouk, Mezik, Nahab, Nahig, Najhar, Nalban, Ogan, Ohan, Pazap, Petor, Samuul, Safra, Sarkhis, Stepan, Subaal, Surab, Tanel, Taijin, Tavit, Tzerpa, Vatra, Zakhar

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

While modern Bishdani, Oristani, and Kishnagari are widely used, for poetic and artistic purposes the older dialect of Bish is still used exclusively. The use of Old Bish has been the preferred language of poetry and song for as long as anyone can remember, even ancient Tsagozy (literaly "word board") that are thousands of years old are written in Bish. The use of Old Bish shows the connection between the now and the past, displaying an unbroken link with the ancient spirits.

Culture and cultural heritage

The extended family is the most basic and mportant aspect of Bishdani culture. It is not uncommon for an extended family of 10 to share a larger tent. Grouped by clan, small bands of families live as nomads and will only consolidate for war or celbration. In most cases the family groups are self-sufficient, surviving on livestock and plants cultivated in the landscape. A few family groups make their way by raiding other tribes, although the raids are very low key.

Common Dress code

The Bishdani clothing is designed to protect them from the unforgiving climate of the area. They wear long flowing robes of simple fabrics in multiple layers. The women wear a large turban and veil that covers most of their face bacause it is considered disrespectful for a male to look directly into the face of an adult female. The men do not wear a face covering, but instead wear headscarf held on by a lenght of twisted fabric wrapped around their head.

The fabrics used by the Bishdani for their robes is a simple woven fabric made from cloud grass, a hardy species of grass that produces a tuft of fluff to carry it seeds across the terrain. The fluff is picked and has its seeds and any other foriegn material removed, then it is spun into a fine thread by hand and woven into cloth. The fabric takes dye easily and is not too course.

In Bishdani culture women wear a large turban and face veil to show their status in the tribe, also it is common for females to wear their wealth as either jewelry or coins sewn to their veil.

Foods & Cuisine

Bishdani cuisine has the most variety and use of foriegn spices of all Oristani quisine. This is due to the proximity to Ashfanabad. The influences of Ashfan and Zwergen cuisine

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Marriage is very important in Bishdani society, with all members of both tribes attending the ceremony.

Ideals

Courtship Ideals

Courtship among the Bishdani is a very simple affair.