Gherau
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Advah, Yinde, Rihem, Hiva
Masculine names
Asadut, Vahud, Shuhmid, Mala
Unisex names
Dekruħ, Rangan, Edhu, Ormu
Family names
Occupational names formed by adding the suffix i meaning person, e.g. Yathati (Fisher), Rejaħi (Smith), Akhunti (Mason)
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
ChamanKir
Common Etiquette rules
Personal space is very important to Gherau. It is rare for even close friends or family members to casually touch one another. A stranger's touch is a sign of deep disrespect. Greetings are generally a quick nod that begins with the nose in the air.
Common Dress code
In deference to the norms of the other species with whom they live, Gherau wear wrap skirts around their midsections - particularly in Maɾun. They prefer cloth with abstract designs in bright colors in combinations that other cultures find clashing.
Birth & Baptismal Rites
Like their Eswe cousins, Gherau prefer not to bring too much attention to births. They believe that a child's spirit does not firmly attach in their body until the first birthday, which Gherau refer to as Anchor Day. Children have little interaction outside immediate family until that time, when they receive their first skirt in a joyful ritual with those beloved to the parents.
Funerary and Memorial customs
Foreigners, including other bearfolk, are often surprised that death seems to be celebrated. Gherau believe that death fears laughter. It is customary to begin keeping a journal of funny stories about one's life starting sometime in young adulthood (though some come to the practice earlier or later). Beloved of the deceased choose their favorites for distribution to funeral-goers on small papyrus scrolls suitable for hanging on the wall if one is so inclined. Additionally, the deceased's Book of Joy is set on a podium at the graveyard. While the assembled mingle and share their happiest memories, individuals may peruse the book. If they come across passage that entertains them, they rap the podium for attention before reading it aloud.
Common Taboos
Body modification.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
All Gherau are held to the same general beauty standards, as there is little external difference between the sexes. Dark brown body fur contrasted with a tan muzzle and chest is the norm. While it is normally considered attractive to have a stark difference between the colors, now and then a child is born monochromed in either standard color with eyes that nearly match their fur and little or no difference between body and nose. These individuals are considered blessed by the gods. They have a beauty all their own among the Gherau.
The sleeker the triangle of the head is, the smoother the transition from muzzle to skull, the prettier an individual is believed to be.
Gender Ideals
Gherau do not have neatly divided gender ideals, though there remain certain professions that fall more to one than the other. For example, caregiver occupations tend to be filled by females, even though in the home males share such tasks almost equally.
Courtship Ideals
Gherau females do not have a season as most other bearfolk do. They can produce offspring all year. As such, traditions differ greatly from their cousins. Gherau are more likely to have sex for pleasure rather than procreation, and same-sex relationships are fairly common. It still usually falls to one partner or the other -- likely the most assertive personality -- to initiate Sakrunad.
Relationship Ideals
Gherau form loose, fluid family units. They have no rituals or laws for formalizing these relationships.
Related Myths
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