Munguran

Anaczl, Munguran ambassador to Louisia

Mungurans are a very vibrant culture, with a high value on textiles and patterns. Nearly all Mungurans reside in their native land of Mungura, a mysterious kingdom surrounded by a high, dense, multi-layered, sandy-colored stone wall. The professional, rigorously trained Munguran navy works day and night to defend a relatively short coastline dotted with several small islands. This hermetical country participates in tightly limited trade for funds, exporting mainly fabric (finished and unfinished products) and precious stones. However, Mungura forbids imports of anything other than edible ingredients and livestock to avoid foreign influence and even infiltration.

Who may or may not leave this kingdom is heavily restricted, due to a fear of people leaving and smuggling goods and information to the outside for their gain. Mungurans living abroad are almost exclusively extremely stubborn ambassadors, carefully monitored officials, and propagandists with close ties to the Nobility and Royals. These residing outside the walls are under a lot of scrutiny from within, commanded to frequently report back to their superiors or risk being snatched back to their home.

## Naming Traditions

### Unisex names

As in the majority of cultures of Paan Atta, Munguran personal names are not gender specific. These are generally under four syllables, but very unique and individualized, reflecting the extremely diverse array of sounds in the Munguran language.

### Family names

Munguran family names are reserved for those of notable heritage, or more often blood or adopted noble or royal status. An exception to this is those descended from former royal dynasties of centuries past, whom the record is almost entirely erased. For clear reasons, these descendants lack surnames despite a notable heritage.

## Culture

### Major language groups and dialects

There is a separate noble dialect of the Munguran language, formed intentionally to protect confidential information with the idea of protecting Mungura and its resources and inhabitants. This dialect is based on the noble hobby of learning the oldest studiable form of the Munguran language. This ancient form of the same language is nearly its own language, especially with proper accent coaching.

Nobles do not constantly speak this form of Munguran, but nearly all learn it.

### Shared customary codes and values

Satirization of those with rank is so normalized and culturally engrained that serious critique or claims of the monarchy being needless are all perceived as satirical and lumped in with visual caricatures and crude humor. Such a culture of sarcasm, dry humor, and deadpan jokes means that regardless of serious and genuine language, actual calls to action against the monarchy are completely taken as humor and given only laughs for an answer.

### Art & Architecture

Sandy-colored walls are seen as a mark of cultural pride on any building, especially if they are of similar stones to the Munguran wall. The roofs of buildings will often have an easily accessible terrace, many with food gardens and spaces to entertain guests. A roof protects these terraces from weather, but large, wide, shuttered windows, absent of panes, provide ample fresh air and light.

Indoor walls are often highly decorated. Even in the poorest households, ochre and charcoal can make beautiful designs, from figural to abstract. Sealing adhesive is readily available and affordable due to its demand in every home.

Munguran homes are generally centered around a hearth with a stone chimney, for warmth and traditional food preparation styles. Cleaning the hearth is of the highest importance, preventing hazardous and visually ugly carbon buildup. In Munguran culture, a metaphorical or literal unclean hearth is viewed as absolute proof of those living in a home being negligent and feckless in other aspects of their lives. A disabled and/or elderly individual is unable to clean their hearth is slowly becoming less stigmatized as more light is shone on it, especially with the example of combat-related disabilities, and more liberal-leaning families are beginning to send their children to clean hearths for neighbors and extended family members.

## Ideals

### Beauty Ideals

When exposed to foreigners, loyal Mungurans are veiled (non-military) or helmeted (military). Their faces are obscured for spiritual and sociopolitical reasons, if not purely due to tradition and commands placed on them. Veils vary widely in degrees of ornateness, opacity, decoration, texture, fabric, and color. Under veils, cosmetics are sometimes used that also change, hide, or disguise certain features, which is more common for those with distinctive features such as birthmarks/beauty marks.

Veils also denote protected status for nobles and royals within Mungura's walls, as well as protection from the weather. These are much less mandatory and may be removed for a person of rank's comfort. These are seen as beautiful, and the merchant classes imitate these veils with long, ideally straight or straightened, face-framing hair, styles like bangs, and styles to not show ears.

There are no sumptuary laws, as that would create an appearance of inequality. Instead, the people are prohibited from impersonating nobility/royalty. It is not a crime to veil unless you are convincing enough.