Tullan

Rivka Abin Gur-Mai-Seng, Tullan ambassador to Louisia

The Tullan are a diverse culture spanning most of the valley between two mountain ranges and skirting the Dihamba desert. A short coastline secures maritime trade and travel, as well as providing the thick, tough shells that the government turns into legal tender near the capital, Sinada. Sinada is the northernmost capital city on Paan Atta, but not by far the largest population center. This city's permanent residents are almost entirely current and former employees of the government and their families. Citizens often make pilgrimages to Sinada to petition the government, to visit friends who reside there, and as tourists of the natural, cultural, and architectural Northern beauty.

## Naming Traditions

### Unisex names

As in the majority of cultures of Paan Atta, Tullan personal names are not gender specific. They are given when a child develops a unique skill or distinct personality feature of some sort. Before a child is named, they are called by their family name and physically identifying features, like "Brown-haired, freckled child Sti-La-Sa"

### Family names

Tullan family names have three parts. The first part is a very old name of familial heritage, inherited from the birther, as is the norm of those cultures of Paan Atta whose family names are inheritable. The second part is representative of a special skill or trade that someone in one's immediate (child-raising) family works with. The third and final part is geographic, generally very narrow and specific, or at least referring to a small town.

Examples include: Zha-Vah-Ruk, Sti-La-Sa, Dua-Na-Si, Gur-Mai-Seng, and Gi-Sla-La.

## Culture

### Major language groups and dialects

The Tullan language has significant dialect variants between cities, regions, and proximity to different borders. The most noticeable division is between the Northern and Southern regions.

### Shared customary codes and values

Toughness, both physical and emotional, is the primary Tullan cultural value. Tests of strength by peers and family are frequent rites of passage, as well as a form of training, even into young adulthood. Pulling on larger fabric scraps between two people is a common sight. The objective is generally to pull the other person to fall to some degree, or to opt-out. Regional or specialized versions include the fabric, in preparation, being twisted, knotted, sliced, etc in varying modes and degrees.

Mountain climbing purely as a feat of endurance is a uniquely Tullan pastime, almost always undertaken with witnesses. For each mountain an individual is proven to have climbed, the individual is given a form of specialized jewelry, as regulated by a branch of the government to prevent fraud. This jewelry is generally polished wood branded with a small government seal. Due to adolescent competitiveness, most schools have a place for students to more easily file their summits, or at least a guide, some sort of resource to direct students on how to do this elsewhere.

### Common Etiquette rules

Seeing a person and not acknowledging them is the height of rudeness (excluding when you are in a crowd). This acknowledgment includes eye contact and smiling slightly for someone you do not know. There are varying degrees of acknowledgment based on how well you know someone, their age, your age, their rank, your rank, and the relativity of these factors.

Poking, prodding, or in any way playing with food with your fingers is incredibly uncouth. Touching it with exclusively the purpose of eating is normal, but any unneeded touching is seen as gross and insulting to the host, the provider of the food, the preparer of the food, and the living things that died to be eaten (including plants).

### Art & Architecture

Particularly in the Northern regions, round, tapered buildings stand out from the landscape. Their shapes imitate those of mountains, albeit simplified. Conical roofs come to a sharp point. Gable dormers jut out on all sides like footholds for a mountain climber.

### Foods & Cuisine

Tullan cuisine is renowned as hearty, filling, and varied. Rather than idealizing multiple courses, making plates sampling multiple dishes, or celebrating buffets, the Tullan prefer a single bowl or plate of one mixed-together meal with no side or topping. Common fare-with many regional variants-is Sluh Dahn Kur, a cornmeal mixed with seasoning, a sauce, minced vegetables, and meat or fish. Some variations include fruit or berries.

### Common Customs, traditions, and rituals

In midwinter, celebrations of snow are undertaken, which include Tullans from a snowless region traveling to celebrate snow. Sweetsap, honey, or any warm sweet plant goop is mixed with fresh, cold snow. This sticky treat is enjoyed by all ages in large amounts. As a gesture of love, a Tullan might make some sweetsnow and give it to another person instead of eating it themself.

There are also competitions of snow sculpting, dances on the snow, and snow throwing. After the festivities, strangers and friends alike gather indoors to share common warmth, blankets, warm beverages, and stories. Due to the mingling of strangers, many friendships begin during midwinter festivals.

## Ideals

### Cultural Garments

Tullans generally grow their hair long. In the morning, long hair is wrapped up in specialized cloth. This measure protects the hair and keeps it out of the way, as well as warming the head on cold days, which is most days in Tulla.

Tullan knitting is highly prized for its insulating and warming properties, adapted for comfort in a mountainous locale.

### Beauty Ideals

A toned body is the ideal of beauty in Tullan society, especially a more wiry, narrow strength ideal for climbing. Relatively longer, more narrow noses and faces are ideal. A folk treatment thought to achieve this kind of face, usually undertaken by teenagers, is to lie on one side with one's head on a towel and place a large, smooth, warm stone on the cheek that is not rested on. Some regions also specialize in facial massage, with an undertone of beautification.

### Courtship Ideals

Tullan courtship generally includes giving someone clothing and accessories that match yours, and if they reciprocate, lending or gifting them some of your outerwear and accessories.

Trimming and styling someone's hair is an important step in courtship. This is because, when a Tullan has no serious romance, their family cares for their hair. An unrelated person doing so is symbolic of becoming a part of that person's family.

### Relationship Ideals

The phrase "opposites attract" is not generally applied to the desirable Tullan relationship. Partners ideally complement one another socially, emotionally, and visually. Large height gaps are undesirable and often evened out with platform shoes. Those in a serious relationship often appear in clothes that match to varying degrees, especially in the cut and tailoring of the fabric.