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Daily
Life of the Dalmites
Dalmites are a very
diverse culture. Some tribes are nomadic, moving from place to
place, while others are more settled, building permanent homes
in small settlements and towns. But all Dalmites have some things
in common, their dedication to the deities of Dal and their love
for the forest.
Upon rising early
every morning, the more devout Dalmites give a short prayer to
their deity or to the one whose help they might need during the
coming day. Breakfast might consist of a cereal made from wild
grains and vegetables along with hot herbal tea and sweet berries.
The average Dalmite then goes about his business, whether it
is school for the youngster, an apprenticeship or shop for the
adult, or a day of foraging or patrolling the forests. Lunch
is taken at mid-day and is usually the largest meal of the day.
Primarily vegetarians, this meal is more likely to include small
amounts of meat than at other times during the day. Only at
times of great hunts do Dalmites eat fresh meat. Otherwise,
they eat venison or other dried and salted meat. Fish is common
in areas near lakes, rivers, or coastlines. Roots, nuts, berries
and leafy greens make up the bulk of the midday meal. The Dalmites
return to their daily tasks after their noon meal. The evening
meal is small, often consisting of vegetable cakes and fresh
salads. A honeyed bread or mixed fruit is often served as desert.
Dalmites usually retire with the sun, mumbling prayers of thanks
and asking for blessings upon their loved ones.
Dalmites do not
toil as long or as much as cultures more focused on agricultural
sources for food. Although some tribes to grow small amounts
of crops, most still rely on the bounty of the forest to provide
them with the food they need. This hunter-gatherer society provides
more time for leisure activities. Dalmites love to sing, dance,
and drink sweet berry wine during the many tribal, clan, and
national festivities. They also enjoy solitary moments walking
through the still forest, or paddling on a lake or stream. Physical
sports are popular, especially wrestling and a game played with
a soft leather ball called Shinnae. Competitions of all kinds
are conducted, including who can climb a tree the fastest and
who can shoot an arrow the furthest.
Besides daily prayers,
Dalmites often visit and give tokens of respect to the deities
of their choice. Some deities, such as the goddess Zaolla, are
happy to receive handfuls of flowers picked by those who ask
for her favors. Others require sacrifices of food, grains, and
even money on a regular basis. The Shamans who tend the shrines
often collect the offerings for the poor or to help maintain
the shrines. Most Dalmites visit shrines on at least a weekly
basis and often more if they wish to receive a blessing from
a particular god or goddess.
In times of war
the normal lives of the Dalmites are disrupted. Each tribe pledges
warriors to their clan leader who in turn pledges warriors to
the Cae Gwea in Tilitha. When war is localized, such as the
Duissa clan in the Venar Woods, Tilitha and the Clan leaders
provide weapons, food, and other necessities to the beleaguered
tribes. Some clans even pledge men and women to aid the Duissa
in the south. It is not uncommon for young warriors of all clans
to travel to the south to prove their worth and gain status as
fighters. Healers and weaponsmiths often join the southern tribes
to aid in the fight and to gain valuable experience. Those who
choose to spend time aiding their brothers and sisters against
the Tarians earn special honors in Tilitha and are often rewarded.
Childhood
Young children
Dalmite children are dedicated to the forest from birth, when
a small sapling is planted in the child's name by the parents.
This simple ceremony binds the child's soul to the forest and
to Elean, reminding them of their purpose in life.
Children are given
a name that is often based on that of a relative or a friend.
The family name of the mother is also given to the child in
most cases. Only in rare cases does the child take the father's
family name. However, he will always be connected to his father's
family, tribe, or clan and may use that in his formal greeting.
Very young children
are cherished in Dalmite society and are allowed to run free
among their tribespeople. Every adult keeps on eye on the children,
guiding and directing their actions in a gentle and loving way.
Schooling
Children are first
schooled by their family members and learn basic social skills.
Parents also teach their children how to forage for food, collect
feathers and other useful forest resources, and how to show respect
to the deities of Dal.
The tribal elders,
those mature and wise people of the tribe, pass on their knowledge
to the children and organize more formal schooling. Stories
and legends are taught to give the youngsters a feel for their
history and culture. The children are also taught to read and
write. Other elders teach the children the common language.
They also receive religious instruction and are taught to respect
the forest and nature. This foundation is invaluable to the Dalmite
as he or she reaches adulthood and chooses a profession.
Rites of Passage
At the age of 12,
children go through the Rites of Passage and are covered with
the tattoos. During the period following this important threshold
into adulthood, the child also chooses a token deity, the god
or goddess the individual wishes to follow more than the others.
This choice is often based on the talents and future aspirations
of the child rather than on some spiritual calling.
Apprenticeship
The young person
chooses a profession and works under a master in that profession
as an apprentice. In some cases, the individual must travel
to another tribe or even another clan to study their chosen profession.
Some, such as artists and musicians even make the long trek
to Tilitha to study under the most talented of the Dalmites.
This apprenticeship
can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years, depending on the natural
skill and abilities of the individual and the complexity of the
profession. Most apprenticeships continue into young adulthood.
Adulthood
Dalmites are officially
considered adults once they finish their Rites of Passage. However,
most live with their parents until they marry or until they reach
the age of 16 and are mature enough to live on their own.
Pair Bonding
If a Dalmite decides
to formally bond with another, they usually do so for the first
time at the age of 18 to 25. When a man marries a woman from
outside his tribe, he leaves his tribe and joins the tribe of
his wife's family. He becomes a full member of her tribe, leaving
his family behind and taking any name she might have added to
her own. Even if the couple separates, the man stays with her
tribe until he either remarries or chooses to join another tribe.
Pair bondings are not usually permanent among the Dalmites and
can last anywhere from a few years to longer. They can be dissolved
by a simple agreement between the couple and are usually amiable.
Children usually remain with the mother although male children
often join their father at a later age.
Professions
A Dalmite usually
chooses a profession based on his or her talent or interest.
In smaller tribes, a person may choose two professions that
relate closely to each other such as Wood-taking and Woodworking;
others, such as healers, might become proficient weavers as well
as dedicated healers.
Old
Age and Death
The elderly are
considered wise and they are treated with much respect by the
Dalmites. Cared for and tended with love and compassion until
their death, the elders of the Dalmite tribes impart their knowledge
to the children and adults of their tribe. As Dalmites age,
they are considered to be closer to Kainna, just as a large ancient
tree, growing and spreading its branches in the forests gains
only stature and strength as it ages. In times of crisis, the
leadership of the clans turns to its elder citizens for guidance.
When a person dies,
the shamans of the tribe conduct a ritual, which may be simple
or very elaborate depending on the status of the deceased person
and the honors the person has earned in life. Their body is
wrapped in leaves and returned to the forest, where the spirit
is allowed to escape and inhabit the woods forever. The spirits
of the dead never leave the living but instead reside in a spiritual
realm within the human world.
Lifestyles
Housing
The majority of
Dalmites live in simple housing, either skin tents supported
by branches or in wooden structures. Usually, these houses are
built in the trees hidden among the branches. A family unit
usually occupies each house although some may contain extended
family as well.
Housing in the established towns and settlements can be expensive
for the average Dalmite. However, there are usually properties
for rent and inns available to shelter those who do not own houses.
Once an individual becomes established in their profession, they
can build or purchase their own homes.
Many tribes are
nomadic and move their homes from place to place, following game
or water sources in their clan area. Most Dalmites are semi-nomadic,
moving between two or more established areas usually with the
seasons. The northern tribes live in small settlements or towns
that have prospered in peaceful times.
Social Status
Although women retain
the clan leaderships and the title of Teila, men and women are
equal in most respects. Women fight with men in wars, both men
and women serve as compassionate healers and shamans, and both
genders own property and can pass their worldly goods onto their
heirs.
The most respected
lineage of the Dalmites are those that descended from Llecilia,
one of the earliest known leaders. Llecilia's descendents serve
as clan leaders and still retain the position of Naiir al weh
Teila. Most Dalmites alive today can trace their family back
to one of Llecilia's daughters and they take great pride in this
fact.
Two factors have the biggest impact on social status among the
Dalmites; age and rank.
The elderly are
the most respected of the people in the tribe and hold a place
in the tribe only second to the leaders. Even then, they are
often known to openly disagree with the leaders. It is a wise
Gwea who tries to please the elders of his tribe for they have
much influence with the people.
Teila, the Clan
Chiefs, the tribal leaders, religious leaders, and other selected
leaders have great clout in the Dalmite nation among the tribe
members. Their rank determines their status in the community.
Reputation is more
important to the status of a Dalmite than economic status. Dalmites
are not materialistic by nature and it is not unknown for Dalmites
to refuse to visit a merchant who has sold shoddy goods or who
has cheated a customer.
Disloyalty to ones
clan or tribe is also a major flaw among the Dalmites and they
are slow to forgive. The lowest Dalmites are those who desert
their clan or tribe and flee to other cultures or those who go
against the clan, tribe, or Council policy. Only in very rare
instances are these individuals welcomed back into the culture
by their fellow Dalmites. Even family members have been known
to mourn for those who leave the culture as dead or lost.
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