Belarians

**Belarians** (Belarian: *Belarija*, Zakharian: *Belarxij*) are an indigenous ethnic group, native to the modern-day country of Zakharia. Traditionally, Belarians are found in or around the cities of Malikana and Xan, and also as of recently have emigrated to neighboring nations such as Lashardia, Adoriam, Consensum, and Sodrax.

Belarians are often characterized by the unique Belarian language, in addition to their distinguishing physical appearances in comparison to native Zakharians or other Titovic peoples.

The treatment of the Belarian community has been a matter of political controversy in Zakharia, due to their harsh treatment by the government and discrimination faced daily at the hands of the Zakharian people. Because of this, thousands of Belarian refugees have emigrated to nearby countries.

## Description

### Physical description

Belarians are distinguishable for their tanned skin tone and other dark features, which are very distinct from the fair pigmented Zakharians. Approximately 89% of ethnic Belarians are naturally brown-haired and brown-eyed, with 6% being brown-haired and hazel-eyed, and 4% brown-haired and blue-eyed. Only 1% of the population had natural blonde hair, and less than 1% of the population had blonde hair and blue eyes. Typically, Belarians are very tall in height, with the average male standing 6'1" and the average female standing 5'10".

## Demographics

As of a 2015 estimate, there are approximately 600,712 full or partial ethnic Belarians. Of this number, about 70% reside in Zakharia, while the rest mainly reside in the neighboring nations of Lashardia, Adoriam, Consensum, and Sodrax, which have all taken in a substantial amount of Belarian refugees.

## Culture

### Language

The language of the Belarians is called Belarian, *Belariti*, or *Belaritish*. Today, it is spoken as the mother tongue of approximately 85% of ethnic Belarians, although the number is significantly lower in Belarians residing outside of Zakharia. There is a movement within the Belarian community to increase the number of Belarians speaking Belarian as a native language in order to promote the Belarian cultural identity.

The Belarian language is a language isolate, not being related to any known language in history. However, over time the language has been significantly influenced by Zakharian. One of the most notable instances of Zakharian influence on Belarian, is the adoption of Zakharian orthography and pronounciation. Features of the Belarian language include the absence of grammatically gender entirely and a case system featuring 15 noun cases.

### Religion

Belarians are traditionally members of the Belarian Orthodox Church, a subgroup of the Asmatic Orthodox Church of Christianity. The Belarian church is notable for being one of the only Asmatic Orthodox Churches to allow female priests, in addition to preaching nonviolence and unconditional acceptance. Possibly because of this, over 95% of Belarians agree with the statement, "A person should be judged on who they are as a person, not their race, gender, sexuality, nationality, or religion".

## Discrimination

Discrimination against Belarians has been a pressing issue in Zakharia in recent years. While discrimination has existed for hundreds of years, the issue became more prominent in the late-1800s when over 600 drafted Belarians refused to fight in the Zakharian army during the War of Independence due to the Belarian Orthodox Church calling for complete pacifism.

Discrimination intensified during the 1940s, when President Erik Grubinchina took office. He was notorious for his horrific treatment of the Belarians, and stripping them away from civil rights awarded to all other citizens. During this time, Belarians began being forced to move into slums due to discrimination they faced in the workplace and while looking for jobs.

After President Dalla Grubinchina took office in the 1980s, discrimination against the Belarians got even worse. In 1990 alone, there were over 600 cases of hate crimes committed against Belarians, 400 of which resulted in a not guilty verdict for the attacker.