Riders

One of the peculiarities of the World of the Long Sleep, considered from the perspective of an outside agent from Earth Stable or Earth Zero, for example, is the enduring and widespread interdependency between humans and the genetically engineered horses that roam the plains of the late ages of this Earth. This is known as Rider culture and exists in some form in all the recorded ages of this world, although its apotheosis occured during the Season Of Innocence.
The horses of the World of the Long Sleep are a lot more intelligent than their ancient ancestors, perhaps in some cases smarter than the humans they may choose to associate with. Their lifespan too, has been extended by some genetic manipulation in the distant past and is now comparable to the extended life time of contemporary humans. Riders bond with one horse at the time they come of age and the bond lasts until one of them dies. The traditional, half serious jest, is that they are closer to their horse than to their spouse.

Culture

Shared customary codes and values

Rider tribes meet periodically for special events, such as regular sporting and music contests, annual spring, summer, autumn and winter festivals, and (during the Season of Innocence) a Great Burning from time to time.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Courtship in Rider culture is a ritualistic process, facilitated by the numerous tribal festivals and pursued in market place meetings in the towns.
When two Riders marry, they embark on a traditional journey to visit each of the neighbouring tribes. Custom says that they must travel without weapons and so it is important to avoid places known to be populated by the more dangerous predators of the gene sea. When they have received the hospitality of every tribe they may choose to join which ever of them they like. It is usual for this to be the tribe of the bride or the groom but it is not uncommon for the couple to start afresh in a completely different tribal family.

Major organizations

Riders organise themselves in small mobile tribes with traditional overlapping territories which in the Season of Innocence, always included one or more of the small villages and towns where they were able to interact with the settled folk who provided them with services.
The tribes have always been fiercely competitive but relations between them are mostly peaceful.