Khururis

Roamers of the northern grasslands, the Khururi people have long had difficult relations with their neighbors especially the Kih sovereignty . Slowly this relationship is becoming more friendly as more Khururi join the sovereignty looking for more opportunities and stability. Their reputation as fierce fighters and a deeply proud people remains though. Khururi are often thought of as aggressive, boastful, and reliable.

Culture

Shared customary codes and values

Loyalty to one's tribe is considered the most important trait of a person. Loyalty is valued so highly that any Khururi foolish enough to try to defect to another tribe are killed. Inter-tribal marriage is very rare and often signals the creation of an alliance between two tribes or the tribes' intent to merge. Some tension has formed between Khururis living in Kih and those living in their traditional lands over how loyal those living in Kih are. Kihn Khururi argue that they maintain their loyalty by sending resources back to their tribe and spreading word their tribe's greatness to other lands. One's status is also very important to Khururis and is determined by one's deeds. Generally Khururis have little respect for those who can't demonstrate that they've earned their titles or reputation.

Common Etiquette rules

People are introduced in order of status and state their name and deeds. It's a mark of supreme status, confidence, and/or arrogance to wait for the rest to introduce themselves. Great respect is expected to be shown to those of higher status. Talking about your own deeds and accomplishments is considered natural not boastful.

Common Dress code

Almost all Khururi clothing is made of leather and furs. Pants are often worn with a knee length or longer tunic layered over top. Calf or ankle length coats often with slits up the front and back are worn over this. Some ceremonial outfits instead of pants consist of a mid-calf or ankle length dress. Such outfits are often adorned with small bells like those that hang from their carts. Patterns are commonly painted or etched along the hems. Especially important people's outfits and ceremonial clothes are completely covered in patterns. Each tribe has a different design that is painted or etched on the backs of tribemember's coats. Red is a particularly important colour symbolizing life, death, and community and is thus solely used in ceremonial outfits and items. Hair and facial hair is largely considered to be up to an individual's personal preference. Typically hair is shoulder length or longer and those that can grow facial hair tend to be scruffier than not. Hair ornaments and other jewelry are important markers of status and the important deeds one has done.

Art & Architecture

Khururis are fond of art of all sorts and decorate their carts with elaborate art pieces. Regardless of material, Khururi art is often covered in elaborate patterns often incorporating tribal symbols, horses, birds of prey, and bows. Their textiles are particularly well known and are experiencing a surge of demand and popularity in Kih and some areas of Duvi . Music is largely vocal with some woodwinds and percussion especially bells like those often hung on ceremonial clothes and on carts.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

When going into pregnancy a pregnant person is often joined by their close family and their partner(s). The rest of the tribe stops if necessary so their tent can be set up. After birth the baby is wrapped in a blanket or furs, given their first sip of water, and taken outside to meet the rest of the tribe while the birther rests. Prayers and sacrifices are given to the deities that the child will accomplish great things. Oftentimes the sacrifices include models representing effigies of different skills and accomplishments like a miniature bow or a string of small bells.

Coming of Age Rites

A child is considered a member of the tribe after they survive a year and a day past their birth. By thirteen one is expected to have done a deed of some note like made their first kill or created a pot of some skill. Once they have done this they are considered an adult. A feast is held in their honor, the new adult receives a coat that marks them as an adult member of their tribe, and their achievement is sacrificed to the deities for continuing good fortune and success.

Funerary and Memorial customs

People are buried in shallow graves near where they die. For particularly prestigious individuals a small mound or other marker is constructed at the site. A person is buried in their best clothes, in all their jewelry, and with their most prized possessions. That night family and friends recount their great deeds. Sacrifices are given to the deities to look kindly on the deceased and to receive them well. Tradition holds that the dead fly up to the deities with eagles so seeing an eagle soon after a death is seen as a blessing from the deceased. Eagle themed sacrifices are common because of this.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Generally Khururis care more about one's deeds so traits that emphasize ones' success are considered most beautiful. Therefore being both plump and muscular is considered the ideal body type. Clothing covered in patterns and thus marking the wearer as someone of high status is seen as especially beautiful. Khururis are much more tolerant of scars, dirt, and messy hair than most other ethnicities of Kih earning them a reputation for being ugly and not caring for appearances much.

Courtship Ideals

Generally people court those in the same tribe and of similar status as them. To signal that one would like to begin courting someone, they give their intended partner a gift showing their talents and ask the recipient. If the recipient feels the same way towards them, they take the gift and give the proposer one of their possessions as a token of their affection. If there is a significant gap in status between the two, the person of lower status is expected to give the initial gift. After this initial exchange of gifts, the two will spend time together, continue to give gifts, and engage in physical affection.

Relationship Ideals

Khururi relationships are largely left to those in the relationship but a relationship is not something a Khururi enters into lightly and are broken only in grave circumstances. One of the worst acts someone can commit is engaging in a secret romantic or sexual relationship with someone while being in such a relationship with another person or persons. Marriage is especially important as it forges a lasting bond between people. Many people even after years of having a relationship still feel that they are too uncertain of their bond for marriage.

Major organizations

@Kih