Alethi
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Tesmed
Fadia
Wan
Pethi
Sarha
Gel
Re
Satal
Leeda
Masculine names
Cabann
Oshald
Valinad
Martov
Herl
Thoh
Norl
Jerd
Family names
Sakidathav
Ramatakam
Jaroled
Nolosag
Dapasaw
Lishatheas
Olomiod
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Alethi value tan skin and black hair. Many of the Alethi have natural multicolored hair (black with streaks of blonde, red with brown wefts, white hair that end in blood red ends), so single color hair is idealized.
Gender Ideals
Alethi do have a socially maintained gender ideal; Women perform all reading and writing, in the old days, it was believed reading and writing were too close to witchcraft and thus can only be handled by women. Today all women, and the slight majority of men can read, though very few men can also write. Socially, men are ostracized if they make a show of reading, are found looking at the text of a book, or writing in any way.
Courtship Ideals
Almost all marriages are created through courtship through a socially set minimum of at least 2 years of courting. Following the two years, the two parties can enter a causal, in which the two are engaged, however neither have any legal or financial claim to the other or their family until 1 year has passed. After the "year of causal" has passed, the two may have an official ceremony verified by the ardentia.
Should the betrothal be an unhappy one and the two decide to break it off during the causal period, no harm befalls either of them, but they cannot make any claim to status or station that would be provided once they marry.
Nobles are allowed to skip the two years of courtship and jump straight to a causal or straight to a marriage, in the case of arranged marriages. Some young nobles will even go so far as to run away ain order to avoid arranged marriages.
Relationship Ideals
Once in courtship, causal, or married, monogamy is heavily expected, and extra-marital affairs are NOT accepted in Alethi society.
Major organizations
Alethkar
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