Makeyan

An ethnic group native to the Makeyan Islands.

Naming Traditions

Family names

Makeyan names have three parts: Island name, Given name, and Clan name. The island name is both a mark of pride in one's homeland and a way to distinguish between different branches of the same clan. For example: Luria Rufina Emeni is from the branch of the Emeni clan found on the island of Luria. Her given name is Rufina.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Makeyani is the primary language spoken by Makeyans. Different, but mutually intelligible dialects are spoken by Makeyans from Luria, Oramas, and Ralam.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Multiples of five (a hand) or ten (a pair) are considered auspicious, and many Makeyan customs center around this superstition. It is considered unlucky to sail with a crew whose number is not a multiple of five. Gifts are typically given in sets of five, or with five parts.

Coming of Age Rites

Coming of age revolves around learning to commune with the The Gods Below. Some take this more seriously than others. Almost everyone goes through the motions, even if they don’t ascribe strictly to the spiritual aspects of the rituals. At 5, a child is formally introduced to the Gods Below by their parents. They are carried into the water, where their parents will commune with the gods, and give the child’s name to the Deep. At 10, a child is taught to listen to the Deep. They are led into the water by their parents, who will teach the child to listen for the voices of the Gods Below. At 15, a child is taught to speak to the Deep. They are led into the water by their parents, who will teach them the words and melodies to sing in order to be understood by the Gods Below. It is common for children to know most, if not all of the Hymn for the Deep by this point in their lives, but this is where it is formally taught to them. At 20, a child enters the water with their parents for the last time. Their parents will thank the gods for protecting their child, and entrust the Gods Below with their child’s care from then on. The child will leave the water alone after communing with the Gods. They will enter the water alone from then on until they find a partner or have a child.

Funerary and Memorial customs

Bodies are buried at sea whenever possible, usually in the clothes the person died in. They might be wrapped in old sailcloth if there’s any available. Their eyes are closed and they are tossed overboard with something heavy to weight them down. Someone leads the crew and/or family in the Hymn for the Deep. This might be a Yemar, the captain, or whoever is composed enough to manage it. This is one of the most emotional performances of the Hymn. A meal is shared afterwards, with offerings given to the gods for the safekeeping of the recently departed. Knots are tied into the bracelets/necklaces of rope or cord that sea folk wear in memory of their loved one.

Parent ethnicities