Cultures

## **Eiru**

**Regions with this culture:** Wind Country, Stone Country, Desert Country.

**History:** Prior to the creation of what is known as the “Sun” kingdoms, Wind and Desert Country were composed of nomadic tribes who descended from a former unknown empire that built huge monuments, tombs and temples which to these days most of them are still buried in the sands. Constantly on the move and keeping a relative amiable yet competitive cycle around their present day lands.

According to History, their Kodama neighbors, specifically the Nara kingdoms, wanted to expand their influence on these people, who were following the path of Seikatsu, but away from the watchful eye and political weight of the church. They embraced their kind of Seikatsu but adapted to their culture which gave conception to Western Seikatsuism.

Disgruntled, the church launched a series of campaigns to force the Sun kingdoms to acknowledge the Seikatsu church and institution as sacred, just like their Gods and to abandon the unreformed ways of their religion.

The Eiru came victorious and Western Seikatsuism gained strength, those who practice it consider it the true way, as the Gods favored such primitive people against by the time the best military forces sieging their lands.

Now that the tribes finally learned the profits of cooperation, they made a pact to protect their cultures through the formation of 2 countries, Wind country and Desert Country (Stone country being a county of Desert country). It’s to note that Desert Country is a republic and Wind Country is a Kingdom. Sunagakure is the hidden village that normally operates within the sphere where this culture exists, yet, the two countries have their own armies.

**Western Seikatsuism** it follows similar principles of those of the church but it does not recognize this institution as a “leader” in religious matters. The Eiru elect a “Monarch” to handle their religious affairs and disputes, and administers their temples. Though the presence of monks is less influential, they’re chosen from the locality of each temple and are mostly wise men and women leading and teaching the young ones the cultural values of the Eiru, Seikatsu and their roles in society, besides basic education. The peasantry collectively pay the temple's offerings to please the Gods and in exchange they will “bless their lives with illumination and knowledge”.

**Subcultures**

**Ryama** Eiru people that follow the Mezame ways, nomads who travel the world but primarily the Eiru countries, concur market districts to sell their wares bought from distant lands or to perform divination or other mezame practices. They’re marginalized due to their “occult” practices but not pursued in the more metropolitan cities like Sunagakure.

**Horu** Eiru people that remain nomadic and tribalistic, away from the modernization that happens in the city hubs, mostly distancing themselves from modern technologies or customs. Live in the mountainous areas of these countries and are famous for their abilities with falconry. They are also known to be expert guides from these regions.

**Political systems**

Feudalism (Wind) - Patrician Republic (Desert).

**Relevant cultural aspects**

* Physical contact is only from very close friendships or family, greeting with nods and words for the rest.
* Coffee is important for any social gathering or visits, it’s almost a disrespect not to offer this beverage.
* Clothes used normally are lighter or cover a lot of the body due to the obvious inclement weather and environment.
* Beauty for Eiru lies in the eyes, most of them use eyeliner or makeup to make theirs more notable or fashionable.
* When buying or selling things, haggling is allowed and expected.
* People sometimes commit a “vow of image” covering most of  their bodies while in public or half of their faces, due to a religious promise to a deity or a penance.
* Blasphemies are severe offenses.
* Common physical depiction of the Gods are of half animals and humans, this depiction hail from former’s ancient empire religion, Seikatsu missionaries adapted their myths to Seikatsu to make conversion easier:

Seikatsu: Hawk, Shi: Black Jackal, Ikigai: Scarab, Kaminari: Crocodile.

* Wind country’s dunes and sand are considered “Holy Land”, the place where the Eiru defeated the outsiders aided by the “Hawk”, an avatar of Seikatsu who became their first Monarch.
* Arts and science are taught in the temples, funded by the offerings left there. Poetry and literature are very important staples of Eiru entertainment.
* Cats are really important for this culture, cities keep a considerable amount of cats living in the streets to get rid of pests and in exchange they’re taken care of.

**Xica**

**Regions with this culture:** Earth Country

**History:** The tribes of the largest land, who inhabit the valley of Earth country kicked Shukaku out of their lives. They immediately fractured after the death of the first Kaguya and resumed their fighting. Those Lords and Ladies who managed to conquer the key points of the valley where food and water were abundant built city-states, 4 in total: Teinoshtika, Horukoko,Kyosha, Xaporu. These had the names of the most important Kaguya tribes.

The culture was untouched from back in those ancient times, Bankai Seikatsu arrived on their lands only to turn them into fiercely religious warriors devoted to the life the Gods intended.

War and combat became glorified and almost as a principle of life, leaders agreed to wage pointless wars and the winners got tribute but mostly recognition, it was an honor to die honoring the Gods.

Even most sports allow violence and some are fights to the death or close to it. The more blood, the more, the feathered serpent will be happy.

On present day, there’s an outside presence on their lands, the stench of chakranism disgust the Xica, people from those huge ships arrived to support an insurrection from the lower social class, promising “freedom” and “peace” if they follow Chakranism.

**Bankai Seikatsuism** follows the pure principles of Seikatsu, no limitations or holding back on pleasing the Gods. They are absolutely unbound to the “church” of seikatsu, considering it a heresy of their ways, a “resignation” of the freedom Seikatsu initially celebrated. The Bankai seikatsuism celebrates the Gods, pillaging riches from the world, killing in the name of Shi, fighting in the name of Kaminari and finding glory Seikatsu promises to those who follow their way of life.

**Subcultures**

The Xica follow a social class system in their society, where a sort of Hierarchy lies.

**1-** Shamans and the Warlords: Religious and Military leaders, organize tribes in their military and religious affairs.

**2-** Warriors: any member of a warrior clan, known mercenaries or part of the warriors that belong to a town.

**3-** Merchants: self explanatory, wealthy individuals and owners of plantations, docks, or industries.

**5-**Anarchic renegade tribes/warriors: Kill and fight indiscriminately, composed of marginalized individuals.

**4-** Peasantry: workers, ordinary citizens, free men and women.

**5-** Fallen: Criminals, condemned and marked to forcefully serve those of the upper caste, because of horrible crimes committed against their own family or their people.

**Political systems**

Despotic caste system

**Relevant cultural aspects**

* Cocoa seeds/beans, corn, or foods containing these are used as currency and “luxurious” gifts. Ryo is given little value but it is somewhat relevant for people of the highest castes that have the possibility to leave the territory with more ease.
* Those that want to become “Warriors” need to go through Seikatsu’s hunt. Demands them to kill a list of creatures and an amount of humans. Kaguya and Xica warriors keep their prey’s bones and remains as decoration or accessories.
* Body paint, tattoos, facepaint, feathers, bones, earrings and piercings are customary fashion elements.
* Being barefoot is normal for Xica people.
* Partners fight once a month to decide if their relationship will be a “monarch” up until their next duel, the loser has to serve the winner as royalty and earns the most care. Showing submission and being able to do so is also a sign of love in a warrior culture like this one.
* Weapons of obsidian are common, due to the region being rich on said material.
* Animal sacrifices are often made to appease the Gods or to celebrate, whose meat needs to be consumed and not wasted. Human sacrifices are only made through combat.
* Colosseum fights and Oyamarishi (a sport which consists in kicking a hard bouncy leathery ball and making it go through a hoop, stuck high into a wall) are the famous sports.
* Kaguya that do not follow this culture are called “Soft bones”.
* The pioneer culture to have weaponized explosives and gunpowder.
* Smaller tribes work or serve a large city-state led by a lord or lady.
* The Xica see Seikatsu as a feathered serpent, Shi as a skull faced person, Kaminari as a Jaguar warrior and Ikigai as a quetzal.

## **Seigan**

**Regions with this culture:** Fire Country, Forest Country, Moon Country, Restaurant Country, Lightning Country, Whirlpool Country.

**History:** This is the term given to the majoritarian culture of the mainland, descending from the first humans and the biggest of the eastern Empires (except Balance country). It is a mixture of tradition with modern values, quite cosmopolitan thinking and open mindness in comparison to other cultures.

**Religions** are abundant, it is to note that “reformed” Seikatsuism is the majoritarian religion followed by Kodama and Chakranism as a minority.

**Political systems**

Feudalism, Republics.

**Relevant cultural aspects**

* Very practical people enjoy leisure time and discovering easier ways to achieve more.
* Has a somewhat egoistical mindset, but not to an extreme.
* Family is secondary to an individual, what matters most is their personal development.
* Royal families are mostly related or rooted from the Iron Country.
* Customs from Iron Country are considered “Traditional”, Seigan is basically Iron Country’s culture to a degree. But some people adapt this culture to more modern mainland ideals and religious influences.
* Even in regards to kingdoms, there’s an expectation of democracy **in some areas.**

**Bikuru**

**Regions with this culture:** Rain country,Hive Country

**History:** Hailing from Rain country, this culture enjoys modern mindsets but also a bit of dehumanization to give money and status more importance. Rich families or individuals reign and are seen as idealized pillars of society.

**Religions** mostly Atheistic in regards to mantra, they see the supernatural just as another science or unknown metaphysical concepts.

**Political systems**

Anarcho Capitalism

**Relevant cultural aspects**

* The concept of family is null, people need to be independent as quick as possible and begin earning their money and place in society.
* Art and culture is reduced to shows and entertainments, unless you’re from the higher classes and can spare the time to enjoy more elaborate displays of culture.
* The most technologically and industrially advanced culture.
* Rain country is propense to have crime families and gangs due to the corporative anarchy reigning the country.
* Victorian or steampunk clothing are usual.

## **Yinka**

**Regions with this culture:** Balance country.

**History:** Humble goat herders, they descended to the Balance country valley to settle. Their culture evolved into a sophisticated way yet, gripping their roots tight. Massive rock temples, perfectly shaped and crafted, so well that they're a matter of study all over the world. Mountain towns are almost inaccessible, through a system of roads that has withstood the pace of time. Their region is  the capital of the reformed faith of Seikatsu, moving away from its primitive practices into a more modern and “wiser” approach. Buildings and cities have gold on their facades, but they’re jealously guarded by warrior monks.

**Religions** Seikatsu, some Bankai minorities in the mountain are still staunch to convert

**Political systems**

Mountain towns - Socialism

Valley - Republic

**Relevant cultural aspects**

* Llamas and Goat farms are usual.
* People wear light knitted clothing like ponchos, mostly clothes to adapt to the template and moderately cold temperatures of the mountains. It’s a constant temperature shift to live and travel in this region.
* Usual diet consists of giant corn (fried or even in sweet milky drinks), ceviche, yellow peppers and more.
* Families are normally numerous and they are the most important thing in a Yinka’s life.
* Flute music and dancing are staples of the Yinka culture.

## **Bankai**

**Regions with this culture:** Snow Country, Some islands of Water country and Herb Country.

**History:** The bankai descend apparently from the very first people that got to the mainland, they settled in Herb their ancestral lands and traveled to other islands to colonize them. They are known as fierce warriors and staunch people, living in tribal societies and the main characteristic among the Bankai is that they enjoy to travel, to trade and to be in touch with nature.

The most famous group of Bankai are the Inuzuka who have resisted any foreign conquer for centuries, and most recently have pushed away an attempt of Fire Country’s nobility to lay a claim on their lands. The rivalry between the Bankai of Herb and Fire Country is growing.

Those in the islands are more laid back, warm and familiar. They’re powerful warriors but have mostly dedicated themselves to protecting instead of raiding.

Snow country’s bankai are an insatiable horde, sea raiding and pillaging are the main sources of income, and their Gods promote this lifestyle. Their raids have even reached Wind country.

**Bankai Seikatsuism** follows the pure principles of Seikatsu, no limitations or holding back on pleasing the Gods. They are absolutely unbound to the “church” of chakranism, considering it a heresy of their ways, a “resignation” of the freedom Seikatsu initially celebrated. The Bankai seikatsuism celebrates the Gods, pillaging riches from the world, killing in the name of Shi, fighting in the name of Kaminari and finding glory Seikatsu promises to those who follow their way of life.

**Subcultures**

**Tsukizuka**

Initially composed by the most violent members of the Inuzuka tribes, all of them bonded with wolves, who were exiled. They settled in the northern area of Forest country in what’s known as “The haunted woods”. They’re led by a monarch which has to be defeated in combat to give the throne, they’re highly despotic and closed as a culture. However, those who challenge the monarch and fail are sent into the wilderness, known as “feral”, they will attack loyal Tsukizuka or poor travelers in these lands.

**Mahokako**

Terms given to Bankai that live in the islands, they’re laid back and less warrior centered (Though those warriors of this subculture are known to be very powerful). They live in communes and tribes that work together to keep the harmony in their islands, cooperating in the defense and the sustenance of them. Keeping their islands clean and pleasing the Gods are pillars of their society, the other is living a relaxing and happy life.

**Political systems**

**Tribes/Clans/Monarchies/Varied**

**Relevant cultural aspects**

* Face paint, body paint, tattoos, skirts etc are common fashion indicators.
* They’re reluctant to adapt to other cultures.
* Buildings and architectures are minimal, living among nature is given more priority.
* Normally exposed to poverty and groups of renegades within their groups, there’s a relative disorder or inside fighting to maintain a relative peace. Tribes work together to maintain peace.
* Fervient followers of Bankai Seikatsu.