Lelvan Fishers

The Lelvan Fishers are a group of mekki hailing from the island Lelv, after which they were named. The island, located far away from both the continent where mekki first evolved and the land-bridge which connected it to nearer continents, became habitated only late in mekki development, when they had fully developed into an intelligent species, with distinct cultures. Those who made the crossing to Lelv were relatively rare, as the island required knowledge of boating, and was distinctly unkind to typical mekki lifestyles. The island held little in the way of large prey for hunting, especially to sustain a large group of mekki without going extinct, and was similarly unsuitable for any livestock kept by the mekki. Similarly, only some of the plants grown by mekki could survive on the island, between its climate and soil, and none in large enough measure to sustain livestock.
Instead, the mekki who settled on Lelv turned to fishing. Not only on the coast, but further out on the sea, building on their bare-bones knowledge of boating. They became a distinct group, carving out a living where no other mekki would go, with their own culture, rituals, and skills. Lelvan Fishers learned to built sturdy boats that would carry them not just across a passage, but on the open ocean. Boats that would allow them to carry nets full of large fish, while also keeping their catch safe from stealing birds or even the occasional Ichtyofelis. Lelvan Fishers also learned to navigate on the open waters, to ensure they would find their way home.

by DarkNymfa

Naming Traditions

Family names

Like all mekki, young Lelvan Fishers receive their first name from their parents. This first name is typically a descriptor, referencing either a trait the young mekki already possesses, or a value their parents wish for them to have. These are fairly similar between most mekki cultures, and may include names such as Skitter(ing), Rush(ing), Jump(y), or Luck(y). They start as a simple noun, but are changed into an adjective when the mekki receives their second name in the Name Hunt.

Other names

The second name a mekki receives is not given but earned in the Name Hunt, where the mekki successfully captures an animal of choice. These are more typical to separate cultures, as the available animals would differ between areas. Lelv, as an island, hosts an especially divergent group of animals. Despite what many expect, Lelvan Fishers do not hunt fish for this ritual, but focus on land animals instead, emphasizing the special nature of this task.

Culture

Shared customary codes and values

Lelvan Fishers are a fairly practical people, hailing from an island with limited resources. They understand the value of things and place much focus on what parts of a thing can be used for what. Every animal killed, every plant harvested, every ore or rock dug up is carefully accessed to ensure as much from it is used as possible.

Average technological level

Lelvan Fishers have mixed technological progression compared to overall mekki development. From early on, their advancements in boating and fishing outpaced those of their mainland relatives, and though more mekki have made significant advancements in fishing, none have caught up with the rate of development in boating the Fishers have. They have little to no agriculture and hunting, and thus have little interest in keeping caught up with those developments when they make contact with other mekki. In the modern age, they are on the same level of technology as other mekki, as part of the global society.

Common Etiquette rules

Lelvan Fishers are a direct and practical people, and care little for people who don't speak clearly but instead hide their intent in carefully selected words. To answer like a politician is seen as dodging the question, and typically frowned upon and even considered rude.
In the culture of the Fishers, to reject something given to you is also incredibly rude. The Fishers seek to make the most out of everything they possess, and to give something is therefore significant. Turning it down makes the item lose its purpose, turning it useless, a waste of valuable material. In the case of food, exceptions can be made if explained properly (such as in the case of allergies or other such reasons), as it wouldn't have been eaten anyhow. For items, which won't perspire, the receiver is expected to hold onto it until they can make use of it, or until they give it to someone else.

Common Dress code

Like many mekki, Lelvan Fishers typically wear fairly little clothing, relying on their fur to keep them safe from their environment. Additionally, they have few materials to make clothing from, as most Lelvan plants are unsuitable for such tasks, and they only rarely kill animals living on the island. On top of that, their clothing would need to be able to last through regular soaking in the salty seawater around them, without becoming unsuitable for daily wear. As a result, regular day-to-day wear is minimal.
Another aspect to this is the water-proofing Lelvan Fishers apply to their own fur. Though they are capable enough swimmers on their own, Fishers treat their fur with water-proof oils to ward away water and make it easier on themselves to keep themselves clean, without salt crusting all over them. Covering said water-proof fur with clothes defeats the purpose at best, and may even act detrimental to the proofing.

Fishers do stand out for their habit of wearing hats, a rarity among mekki, especially the size of their hats. Few mekki wear hats as they often go poorly with their ears, muddying up their hearing. Lelvan Fishers don't use the more acute aspects of their hearing often though, as fishing makes little use of sound. Additionally, hats to block out the blinding rays of the sun are helpful in their way of life.

Art & Architecture

Settlements belonging to the Lelvan Fishers are often a study in contrast. Their buildings are made to be sturdy, lasting through any of the weather that comes to them from across the ocean, as they are typically located near the water. In combination with their limited materials, they are built conservatively, consisting of simple blocky shapes. However, these houses are often covered in art as time passes on, with many Fishers spending plenty of time creating art to spend their time. Any leftover materials not useful for anything else are repurposed for art, and Fishers are not above carving art directly into their homes when it can be done without damaging integrity. Notably, despite the square shapes of their buildings, Fishers lean towards fluid shapes in their art, inspired by the ocean on which they rely. Their art is like flowing water, like cresting waves, like the streamlined shapes of the fish they catch.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Lelvan Fishers are a highly communal people, with strong ties to other members of their group. They share responsibility over each other, and are expected to help one another whenever necessary. Children are often raised communally, for example, but it also takes form of smaller, briefer acts. One example seen often is that Fishers will often help each other apply the water-proof oil in their fur, an act which is repeated at least daily, even if the individual doesn't expect to swim that day. Aside from applying oil, Fishers also often help members of their group with other acts of grooming, such as brushing fur, as well as tending to minor injuries or aiding with follow-up care.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

Typically born in litters of two or three cubs, mekki come into the world with their eyes closed but bodies covered in fur. As soon as possible after the birth, the entire group of Fishers will gather to welcome the children into the world. The leader of their group will move into the shallows of the ocean together with the mother and any other who claim responsibility over the cubs, with the guardians carrying the cubs.
 The leader will give a speech about the cubs who they are welcoming into the world, though most will have a set speech they only modify slightly to suit the situation. After they finish talking, one of the guardians will step forward and hand them a cub. The leader crouches to wash the cub with the water of the ocean, symbolizing that these young mekki, as Lelvan Fishers, will spend their entire lives as part of the ocean. Once cleaned, the leader will hold them up and proclaim the cub's name, which would've been given beforehand by the parent(s). The cub is then handed back to the guardians, and the leader takes the next. After all cubs are thus cleaned and named, the leader welcomes them all into the clan again, and the ceremony ends.

Coming of Age Rites

Like all mekki, Lelvan Fishers undertake the Name Hunt as a coming of age rite, in which they earn their second name.

Funerary and Memorial customs

Despite their lack of resources, it is frowned upon among Lelvan Fishers to make use of the body of the deceased, unless conditions are extreme and the deceased specifically requested it. More typically, the entire group will take boats out into the ocean, with the body of the deceased carried in a boat with those closest to them. Once far enough from shore, the deceased will be given back to the ocean, to pay back for the life which had been provided to the Fishers. Beforehand, the body is carefully wrapped, typically in large leaves which will break down well. Stones will often be placed inside the wrapping to ensure the body will sink.
The return journey is done in silence, but once back in the settlement, the group will typically spend the rest of the day (and night) sharing stories to celebrate the deceased. Afterwards, the entire group will do their best to carry on the memory of the deceased.

Common Taboos

Wastefulness is among the greatest taboos among the Fishers. Resources are valuable, and the rarer a specific material is, the more distasteful the wasting of it is. Additionally, Fishers carry a strong appreciation for nature, and the ocean above all. Disrespecting it, after it has given one life, is extremely frowned upon. Refusing to change one's ways even after being educated properly is ground for banishing, or worse.

Common Myths and Legends

Unsurprisingly, many Fisher legends and stories center around the ocean. One of the best known is the story of the creation of the Lelvan Fishers. A group mekki traveled away from the mainland, unable to find a living on the land and thus forced to brave the wild waters of the ocean. Never before had mekki found land in their travels, and they had no expectations of succeeding either. They just knew that they no other choice; to stay was certain death. After many long days of travel, their boat finally failed, and in the dead of night, the mekki landed in the ocean, with no land in sight. But they had barely landed in the water when they received an unexpected visitor: the personification of the ocean itself. The Ocean asked them why they had come, why they had not left before their boat failed them. And the mekki explained to the Ocean, that they had nowhere to go. That to stay would've been certain death. And the Ocean listened, and understood, and took them in. The Ocean carried them to Lelv, where they could make their home, and taught them. They learned to boat, and to fish, and how to live alongside the Ocean, without causing harm.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Lelvan Fishers are marked by an unusual coat-type, which resembles the temperate type in length, but the tropical one in sleekness. Their fur is short but sleek, easily kept in water. Additional desirable traits include (relatively) small ears, a powerful tail, and flexible but powerful limbs, which all aid in swimming or aquatic lifestyles.
Mekki from this ethnicity often possess a variant on the "tears" facial marking, with the darker patterns surrounding the entire eye. Presumably, this functions as a sort of built-in kohl eyeliner, reducing glare on the open waters. Light facial markings involving the eyes are likewise rare, with "cheek" and "full stripe" markings seen in almost all Fishers. Though dark body patterns are more varied and no preferences for those exist, lighter body markings which color the stomach are found more desirable. As a result, "mitts" and "skunk" are almost non-existent in this population.

Courtship Ideals

Like most mekki, Lelvan Fishers have a very casual relationship with courting, romance, and reproduction. They rarely settle into "closed" relationships, with a set partner or partners. Instead mekki live communally, with their entire group, for which they carry equal amounts of responsibility. A mekki who wishes to join a group should display their value to the group, including not just their skills, but also that they understand the lifestyle and values. For the Fishers, this should include the individual showcasing their ability to swim, to be able to fish or willing to learn it, and any other skills they may bring to the people they wish to join.

Encompassed species

• Mekki

Related Locations

• Lelv