Idran
Social Structure and Family Life
In Idran culture, most social and family life is deeply rooted in clan loyalty and communal living. Each tribe is led by a chieftain, and a tribe consists of multiple clans. These clans are then comprised of extended families with a shared ancestry and much like the tribe has a chieftain, so do the clans. The chieftains are the ones considered responsible for making decisions on behalf of their clans, resolving disputes and ensuring the welfare of their people. By tradition, a person's place in the hierarchy is determined by their strength. Not only physical, but also spiritual, as knowledge and power both go hand in hand to make a capable leader in the eyes of the Idran. This goes particularly for the chieftains, who have to be the most capable, and by tradition this has leaned towards often being women, though exceptions remain.Relationship and marriage
Courtship and marriage among the Idran go hand-in-hand with their belief in strength. The less common form is for a pair to find an interest in each other, at which point they will together go through a series of traditions and rituals meant to demonstrate their suitability for each other, such as hunting, craftsmanship and more. The more common variant however is the yearly event, when those without partners compete with each other in a variety of trials to prove themselves worthy, and to attract the attention of others who have yet to find someone to marry. The trials varies by tribe, but most tend to have both physical and intellectual trials for the participants to compete in, with those able to win in both being considered very desirable. Once a partner has been found, they become betrothed to each other and plans are made for the marriage ceremony. They typically take place in a sacred place to the tribe, and involve the blessing of their respective clan chieftains and the exchange of gifts between not just the pair, but also of the clan as a whole to show their unity. Afterward, it is celebrated with feasting, dancing and storytelling. When the ceremony is done, the lower ranking partner is considered a member of the higher ranking partner's clan. The chieftains hold a special position however, as they are permitted to have more than one partner. This is seen as a privilege and symbol of their strength and rank. It is not uncommon for the ruling chieftain to have a partner from each clan within his clan, and having gone through the same trials for each of them. The first partner is considered the chieftain’s primary one, with the rest sharing a secondary status putting them under the primary partner. Should the chieftain lose their title, the partners become partners of the new chieftain, should the new chieftain want them. If the new chieftain doesn't want the partners, they instead return to having the status they did before they were married.Clothing
Idran clothes tend towards being practical and made mainly of animal hides and pelts. With a preference towards the earthy tones, the clothes are designed to be durable and light to let them weather the warmer temperatures of Ikune. Despite the simplicity on the surface of this, the clothes are not without decorations. The clothes tend to be embellished with intricate beadwork and stitching made by the owners of the clothes. It is also common to have symbols representing clans and personal achievements as a part of it. Feathers, bones and carved wood is also frequently used as adornments, mostly in the form of jewelry.Arts and Crafts
Pottery and metalwork are both prominent parts of Idran culture. Pottery is considered a functional and artistic way for men to express themselves, with clay vessels being made to use as storage for both food and drinks, but also other goods. They are painted with dyes to create vivid patterns of their clan history, the world or simply things they happen to fancy and are worked together with spirals and knotwork that is worked into the clay itself. Metalwork, aside from creating tools and weapons, is a craft for women, with jewelry and ceremonial items from skilled blacksmiths being particularly favored. Torcs, brooches and armlets are among the more common, being typically made from bronze, silver and gold. Even when making tools and weapons, it is common for the blacksmiths to decorate the blades or other metal surface with designs, so as to set their mark on it.Education
Idran education tends to focus on a clan's history, skill and traditions. It is passed down through oral tradition and hands-on learning with the elders, bards and skilled artisans. Most of the learning is done as informal apprenticeships beginning within the close family, and later expanding to other clan members as the child grows. Because of this, most clans tend to be more specialized towards certain trades, but they are rarely limited to only one. Marriage in particular allows a clan to expand their knowledge, as they learn of the trades from the other clans.Food
Idran cuisine relies heavily on a mix of bread, porridge and root vegetables. Though they take a bit of everything from trade and occasional raiding, the more established parts of them prefer to farm while avoiding harming the nature surrounding their settlements. Hunted meat is also an important part, though it is rare for them to have farm animals.- Cairn Stew is a thick, hearty stew made from a mix of meat, root vegetables and if possible, barley. It is simmered slowly over an open fire and flavored with wild herbs and is a stable among large clans that need to feed a lot of people.
- Bradan Rost is roasted salmon marinated in a mixture of honey, mustard and wild herbs. The fish is cooked over a fire and is served alongside mashed vegetables.
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