Sarmelonisation

"**Sarmelonisation**" (Sarmelonid: **Mānsarmelontar**, **Mānsæljontar**) is the process of becoming more like the Vozonid culture of the Sarmelonid Empire. The extent of this process varies, from speaking in Sarmelonid Vozonid to adopting the empire's festivals and syncretising its various gods.

## History

In the early days of the Sarmelonid Empire and during its spread across southern Palkyras, the rulers encouraged (or sometimes forced after rebellions) their conquered or aboriginal subjects to adopt their culture, just as the Sarmelonids picked up Gauvajut customs. The Sarmelonid Empire also did the same towards its conquered human and alien subjects when its fleets spread across the Galaxy; whether by encouraging them with monetary rewards and privileges or enslaving peoples they considered "backwards".

Ironically, when the star systems and colonies revolted, they later willingly adopted Sarmelonid culture to mock their oppressors as less worthy than themselves. They also worshipped and invoked Vozonid emperors raised as gods, claiming proudly that their wars of independence were indeed the will of Sarmelon I. So all the revolts were his punishment upon Vozolaz, for its corruption and enslavement of other peoples.

### Kingdom of Vovtarla

Although the *grifajes* aliens of Vovtarla fought their way to independence from their Sarmelonid oppressors, they nonetheless retained their conquerors' culture to make themselves more "noble". They also venerated a syncretised religion combining Monterjo wights with Sarmelonid gods.

### Kingdom of Bujan

From Solintos onwards, who styled himself as Bujan's first emperor, the island nation of Bujan adopted Vozonid customs as their claim as "the rightful successor of the Sarmelonid Empire". While his counterpart, Siangwaan, only had an "emperor" and kept to itself, Solintos sought to establish colonies on Luril to punish the runaway nobles of Zannoz's imperial court, effectively making the old Bujanid nation into an empire.

Larger Rodnover temples in Bujan were built to resemble their Vozonid counterparts, all the way to having statues of gryphons and large spinel crystals at entrances. Vozonid music and art are also popular even to the White Bujanski who live there, due to Vozonid influence in Bujanski culture.

When Solintos became emperor and began implementing Vozonid culture, initially a lot of Bujanski gladly put on the princely-looking robes. Eventually after some weeks, they could not make it on time to reach their work from putting on their robes, so they had no choice but to simplify their new attire. Even their emperor Solintoz had to agree as he got fed up of having to rush to work after too much time putting on the "proper" outfit.

#### The "White Vozonids"

Because of the widespread usage of Sarmelonid culture by a Slavic-Wonao nation, Bujan is sometimes known as the "White Sarmelonids", alongside the Nevkrenian and Turodarian Slavs who also practiced Sarmelonised traditions. Considering that light-skinned people were seen as "unintelligent" in ancient Sarmelonid society, the Bujanski would later claim themselves as successors of the Sharai Dynasty, a dynasty of Sarmelonid Emperors of Vilonian descent, to prove themselves as better successors than the deteriorating nations of Azgo and its neighbours.

In one ceremony conducted by thirty-three guards in armour, representing the Wolf Guard of King Koschei, the guards were yelling and answering orders in Sarmelonid.

The Sarmelonid language is still available for many public services in Bujan, from news reports to even phone services, due to the popularity of the language among the highly-educated people of the kingdom. In fact, it is one of several countries where the language is in daily use.

The Drevobojanse ethnicity of Slavs is known for its widespread practice of Sarmelonid aristocratic traditions as part of its culture.

### Republic of Nevkreno

The Nevkrenians, along with the other Movarian Slavs who revolted from slavery in western Vozolaz, were among the earliest revolutions to adopt Sarmelonid culture willingly. In their mockery of the empire's hypocrisy, they claimed themselves as worthier successors.

The Nevkrenians continued to practice a hybrid culture, a Slavo-Vozonid culture that continues to this day. Most Nevkrenians are fluent in basic Sarmelonid as a classical language. In Vozonid folklore, Nevkrenians are also known as "White Sarmelonids" or "White Vozonids", both admired and mocked for retaining a lot of Sarmelonid traditions for millennia.

### Republic of Porashon

The Ontemazei and humans who founded Porashon intended their society to be a republic based on Sarmelonid culture, but after the veneration of Ravana and Shiva since the Thandizo Invasion, it became the only nation on Palkyras that wholeheartedly dedicates itself to the Sandharmin (Hindu) pantheon.

### Republic of Turodaron

Likewise, Porashon's "child nation" of Turodaron was more Sarmelonid than its mother country, to the point that other people refer them as "White Sarmelonids". Although they were more Sarmelonid than the other "White Sarmelonids", the Bujanski, the latter mock them for their more relaxed attitudes, including wearing bikinis. Still, their relaxed attitude meant that the Slavs of Irajon are the most Sarmelonid of all the Vozonised Slavs, who are more familiar with the age-old traditions of the bygone Sarmelonid Empire.

### Kingdom of Irajon

At some point before the Tornarin Bombardment, the kingdom of Irajon revived various Sarmelonid traditions, and modified their own language to resemble that of their Sarmelonid ancestors. Because they continued their Sarmelonid culture to the present day, they are known as "the last Sarmelonids". In spite of Porashon's practice of Sandharmin culture, it often competes against Irajon to see which of them is the "more Sarmelonid" of the two nations.

The Slavs of Irajon, descendants of Koschei's people, easily fitted into Irajonian society due to their love of Sarmelonid classics. They also justified their noble-ness by the Sharai Dynasty, to the point that Irajonians sometimes refer the local Slavs as Sharainids, "Sons of the Sharai Emperors". Together with the Wonao natives, they prided themselves as a "nation of princes".

### Modern Vozolaz

Centuries after the Tornarin Bombardment, the states within Vozolaz (Arantar, Vozolaz, Bavoltar) prided themselves in being the successors of the Sarmelonid Empire. However, the theocracy (later republic) of Josol initiated a campaign to behave like the Sarmelonids.

On the other hand, Azgo distanced itself from Sarmelonid culture, seeking to emphasise its own regional traditions.

In parts of Vozolaz, Pjosaroz, the patron god of the Sarmelonid Empire, is worshipped as Svetovid.

### Republic of Siangwaan

Although Siangwaan was founded by slaves that revolted against an oppressive Sarmelonid emperor, their culture was influenced by Sarmelonid culture to a certain extent. Its people celebrate Vozonid ceremonies alongside their own, they study Gauvajut classics in their schools, and they venerate the Vozonids' gods and their sacred mountain. It could be due to their rejection of their ancestral homeland, Daizhou, which they regarded as "backwards"; and their proximity to the sacred mountain of Mandil.

Western Siangwaanians tend to be more Sarmelonised, to the point that they wear silk robes and golden crowns almost every day. This made them a laughingstock to the rest of the country, depicted as arrogant drunks. People from these parts also use a lot of Vozonid words, or speak entirely in Josolchir or Sarmelonid!

This may be why the Bujanski like Siangwaan, because they are also Sarmelonised, making them more "classical" and worthy of prestige.

## Old Arailaso alliance

These were the nation's who formed an alliance of post-Sarmelonid countries, former colonies who worked together to rebuild Jerde from the ruin caused by the Kyrvotin Invasion

* Siangwaan
* Irajon
* Bujan
* Pevares
* Honvo
* Ashostrana
* Sevestrana
* Narivo
* Nevkreno
* Bivos
* Nochistrana

### Non-Sarmelonised members

They were still admitted because they were also former colonies that became independent from Sarmelonid misrule.

* Ingdahan

### Non-member allies

* Rukania
* Marnoxai
* Iozae

## Sarmelonised nations

Some people ignorantly call these nations "the colonies", but because it can be offensive to locals, the latter prefer "post-Vozonid" or "post-Sarmelonid".

"Arailaz" or "Arailaso" is a term used by all of these countries that means "the New Lands", as breakaway states from the Vozonid Empire and its successors.

### Arailaz nations

* Bujan
* Irajon
* Siangwaan
* Pevares
* Honvo
* Ashostrana
* Narivo
* Nevkreno
* Sevestrana
* Bivos
* Nochistrana (now eastern Noktea in Tornarin rule)

### Later Sarmelonised nations

* Porashon
* Shaunetor
* Turodaron
* Josol
* Irajon
* Makhandron

## Common traditions

As regions mostly inhabited by non-Vozonids and reformists, or founded by later adopters of Sarmelonid culture, they tend to be supporters of simplifying traditional Sarmelonid robes if they must be used in workplaces. Back then, the colonies and poorer regions of the Sarmelonid Empire were the biggest supporters of simplifying workplace attire, during the cultural debates known as the "silk wars".

* Veneration of gryphons and spinels
* Wearing green silk robes
* Golden crown-helmets being commonplace
* Bowing their head when finishing a task
* Love of the number sixteen
* Aversion to pink (not always)
* Usage of big drums

## Examples of Sarmelonisation, further details:

* Sarmelonid Bujanski words
* Siangwaanian Vozonid words

### Names of countries

Due to the usage of Sarmelonid as a classical language, the same country may have different forms in the Sarmelonid language, depending on the tradition of the countries. One name may be used elsewhere, while another name is the official name in that country, as used in government documents in the Sarmelonid language.

Siangwaan's many names in Sarmelonid are an example.

* Wozolaz - Vozolaz
* Redžatjaz - Redjetesh, Gimbarish
* Gimbrišaz - modern Gimbarish
* Glysolaz - Josol (official)
	+ Glysorjaz - Bujan, Irajon
* Byppoz - Bivos
* Zalqolaz, Zolqarjaz - Azgo
	+ Zaqloraz - official Sarmelonid in Azgo
* Arantar - Arantar
* Bawallhag'oraz Trorarizrin, Trorariz - Tornarin Empire
* Wilon - Vilon, Toralis
* Nokkolaz - Noktea
* Yràunojaz - Heronoja
* Maunaraz - Marnos
	+ Official name of Marnos in Sarmelonid, prescribed by the government.
	+ Máinoraz - Marnosyn official name in Sarmelonid-language records, later used in Bujan and the New Republics.
* Sjænowaz, Sjàruwan, Sjènwandaz - Siangwaan
	+ Sjænowaz, Sjænàulaz, Sjæ̀ndao - recorded during Sarmelonid times
		- These names displaced Zōrilan in the later reign of Zieu Do, who founded Siangwaan and defeated the Kyrvotin alien invaders.
	+ Zōrilan - Siangwaan's name before the slaves were brought to Siangwaan. Said slaves revolted and became the founders of the Siangwaanian civilisation.
	+ Sjanowandaz - modern, other countries. This is modern Siangwaan's official name in Sarmelonid.
	+ Sjàrowan, Sjàruwan, Sijàru - Bujanski and Irajonian Sarmelonid
	+ Sjènwandaz - Siangwaan, also Josol and most of the region
* Pōrašaunaz, Pōrašau - Porashon
	+ Pōrašaunaz is Porashon's official Sarmelonid name.
	+ Poraswanaz, Porjaswaz - Azgo
	+ Pōrašaz, Porozai, Pōrašau - Josol, Irajon, Umbirab
	+ Pōrašaz - Bujan
* Tūrodaron, Tūrotarnaz - Turodaron
	+ Tūrotarjaz - Turodaron Sarmelonid
* Niwakrænaz - Nevkreno (official in Nevkreno)
	+ Niwakranaz, Newagornaz - elsewhere
* Sewistrònaz - Sevestrana
* Ūmbirwaz, Ômirawaz - Umbirab
* Rōriz - Rukania (also the rest of Darros)
	+ After one southerly kingdom where travellers and sailors used to rest or trade, Roriz.
	+ Modern Rukania prescribes "Rōrilaz" as the official name.
* Bazaiglyaz, Bazailaz - Rukania (also the rest of Darros)
	+ Literally means "the Far East", according to Vozonid world maps.
* Sjǽworæilaz - Sevraeja
	+ Official name used by the Sevraejan government.
* Tirrjō, Tirajō - Tirkiatlor
	+ A blend of "Tir" (the country's archaic name) and "irjo" ("sun"), so it means "Tir of the rising sun".
* Džōzèlan, Džromilen (džromi luren, the Spice Coast) - Djasilan
* Bulonbeklaz, Bazanjukhal, Bazjukhal (Far Mists), Bazluren (Far Shores) - Bulanabek (also the rest of south Darros)
	+ Considered during Sarmelonid times as the most distant of all locations. In fantasy works set in Vozonid-style civilisations, the most distant and exotic of civilisations usually looked Goturean or Rukanian (Turkic or Ukrainian). Stock Goturean ("Bazlurenrin") countries would have yurts or golden cities, while stock Rukanian ("Rorizrin") countries would have gold domes and white castles.
* Bazaizma, Bazorja, Bazorujaz - Prisapura or Tukshara (also the rest of Esami)
	+ Literally means "the Far West", according to Vozonid world maps.
* Jawontar - modern Yawanda
* Kigorjaz - Kikori
* Ardešṑlaz - Ardesch
* Qôlampū̀raz - Kalambur
* Hathurolaz - Hothro
* Zarijandaz - Zarijana
* Waitārìl - Vovtarla
* Pinòguniraz - Pinoguni
	+ Official name in Pinoguni by the government.
* Paramosar - Paramosir
* Bujan - Bujan
	+ This is Bujan's official Sarmelonid-language name, prescribed by the government.
	+ "Bujanalaz" is more grammatically-proper, but is not the official name.
	+ Bujannaz, Bujallaz - informal, elsewhere. In Bujan, they are mostly used in art or humour, sometimes as a sarcastic name for Bujan mocking its own problems.
* Īrajon - Irajon
* Sireiwaz (official), Rewolaz (obsolete, offensive) - Hiriwa
	+ The older name, "Rewolaz", is now considered offensive in Hiriwa. This erroneous name is why Vozolaz's official name in Hiriwan is Hanotera, after the word "šondwo" for the Vozonid language. Like "Rewolaz", "Hanotera" literally means "Language land" or "Languagia" (šondwo laghuraz > šondwolaz > sanotera > Hanotera). It started as a joke among artists and nobility to remind the Vozonids to use the correct name for Hiriwa.
	+ Hiriwan scholars and artists preferred to use "Hireiwaz" as the official translation of their kingdom's name. Sarmelonid is used in Hiriwa as an artistic language.
* Wannæ - Wannaenid Empire
* Daleskannaz - Daleskarnia

## In various languages

* Sarmelonid: Mānsarmelontar, Mānsæljontar
	+ "mān" in Sarmelonid means "now", but it can also mean "becoming like".
	+ "Mānsæljontar" resembles very archaic and classical words that mean "alignment with the stars".
* Bujanski: Osarælontǐ (to become more Sarmelonid; Осарѣлонть, Осарѣлѫть); Osarælonistvo (becoming Sarmelonid; Осарѣлоніство)
	+ Many words in Bujanski before the Standardisation were derived from Sarmelonid. With their replacement with Slavic calques and inventions, the Sarmelonid loanwords are now considered archaic and aristocratic, not used in daily speech except for artistic, ceremonial, or humorous reasons.
* Siangwaanian: muā shengʟ·Saaʟ mēk long (化成·塞美隆, becoming Sarmelonid), Muā Saaʟ (化塞, Sarmelonisation), Dàai Saaʟ (戴塞)
* Nevkrenian: zasarjelonatj
* Vovtarlan: soe-Sarrelon-kreu (neutral), tu-son-Sarrelon, tu-son-Jaubara (honorific), do-Sumelon (derogatory)
	+ "tu-son-Jaubara" literally means "to become a gryphon", as gryphons are holy animals in Sarmelonid and Vovtarlan culture. It is also a very honorific way to say "to die", "to die as a hero", or "to ascend to Heaven".
	+ "do-Sarmelon" instead means "to be a slave, to flatter, to lie to save someone's skin". "Dosar" became a derisive term for "sycophant" or "one who pampers".

## Gallery

Azdortil practicing horse archery. Like many Vovtarlans, he is somewhat fluent in Sarmelonid as a classical language.Teraxari and Wiresa, as Vozonid goddesses, around Bobby dressed as an emperor. This was done in a humorous collab: Sarmelonid culture influences are seen everywhere in Siangwaan.To save time, the Bujanid Slavs decided to simplify their Sarmelonised robes. Likewise, other nations that adopted Sarmelonid norms also simplified their clothes.A Bujanski woman, dressed as a Vozonid princess.The Sarmelonisation of Bujan's Slavs led other people to assume that they are a fantasy nation.Paxoti in Vozonid princess robes.Wiresa dressed up as a Vozonid princess.On national holidays, Bujanski like to dress their cats in Sarmelonid robes, designed after those of Sarmelonid royalty.Takasoka in various outfits. Sarmelonid influences have shaped the traditional culture of the Ontemazei and their empire, along with their successor state, Porashon.A domovoi in Bujan. Many statues and drawings of domovoi depict them in Vozonid clothes, to elevate them to divine nobility and royalty.Ideal depictions of Ontemazei women. Vozonid clothing looks popular because it makes them look like demigods.Ontemazei warlords in a battleship, millennia ago during the Ontemazei War.From the reign of Solintos onwards, Bujanski architecture used a mixture of Slavic, Vozonid, and Wonao influences. For example, this palace or academy somewhere in central Bujan, in winter.More idols of domovoi, all dressed up in the Sarmelonid manner.A Bujanski, Rukanian, and Sevraejan contestant at a jousting event. Notice the gems, helmet, and gryphons in the Bujanski contestant's attire at the left.A chellarcha. In later Vozonid folklore, these mischievious spirits are depicted as blonde ghosts in Vozonid clothing, possibly influenced by garbled, mocking depictions of the blonde Heronoi when they first arrived.Chang Shong and his sisters dressed up as festive characters for Purilli. Meanwhile, his girlfriend Ang Yeung is dressed as the spinel fairy Karkinja.Aljona and Pabijano based their armour for the gods, Mithura and Goruso, on those of Vozonid deities.Ang Yeung dressed up as Karkinja, a spinel fairy. Her clothes resemble those of Vozonid noblewomen.A Buyanski flag depicting a gamajona as a Vozonid goddess.Teraxari and Wiresa, ethnic Heronoi, dressed as Vozonid goddesses, while the gryphon Bobby wears a Sarmelonid emperor's crown. This is a logo made in Siangwaan for a humorous art collab.
## Trivia

* Sarmelonisation may be analogous to Romanisation, Indianisation, and Sinification, three processes in history where other socieities were influenced by the cultures of the Roman Empire, ancient India, and the Chinese Empire.
	+ Three examples the author often used as a comparison were modern Britain (Roman), Thailand (Indian), and Japan (Chinese).
* The author sometimes jokingly referred Siangwaanians and Bujanski as "Chinese and Russians who behave like Thais".
	+ Just after independence, Siangwaan and Bujan claimed themselves as successors of the Vozonid Empire.
	+ The author likened this to European and Ottoman attempts to be the successors of Rome; or Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese attempts to be the successors of China.
	+ Using Sarmelonid in modern times would be like using Latin in modern Europe, so the author considered transcribing translated Sarmelonid texts as Latin, in contrast to the characters' languages.

* The Bujanski who adopted Sarmelonid customs were perhaps influenced by Russian tourists in Thailand and Bali; or Malaysian Chinese who converted to Hinduism, including the author.
	+ However, the Bujanski would be more respectful of local cultures, so they might find Thai or Balinese traditions to be somewhat similar to classical art they studied in school when they were children.
* Some of the influences for Sarmelonisation include the Tenpyousai ceremony in the Japanese city of Nara and the Baahubali films.

## See also

* Eimāranda Empire
* Novantir
* Heronoification