Tänetet

The Tänetet people (literally "those who speak") are a northeastern Serronan ethnic group characterized by use of the Tänetäz language, belief in the Tänetet folk religion Tepní, and a degree of genetic isolation from all neighboring ethnic groups. The Tänetet are indigenous to a chain of several islands in Serrona and Leifmyrr, primarily the islands of Vallava Major and Vallava Minor.

Etymology
The name 'Tänetet' is a Tänetäz word that literally translates to "those who speak", with the implication being that it is synonymous with the collective speakers of the Tänetet language. The word is composed of the root 'tänet', meaning 'to speak', and the suffix '-et', commonly used to transform verbs into the noun for a person who performs them (similar to the English '-er' in baker, writer, etc). Tänetet is a mass noun, with the usage of the plural 'Tänetetun' generally frowned upon as incorrect.

History
The Tänetet people, along with the unrelated Krystell people, are believed to be the oldest and original inhabitants of the Vallavan islands. The presence of both groups, the Tänetet especially, has declined following multiple waves of migration into the region by other groups.

The first wave consisted of the Mari people, a Lausán-speaking ethnic group from Eastern Serrona that migrated into the region about 1100 years ago. Not backed by any formal political entity, for there were few of them in the region at the time, the migration resulted in generally peaceful coexistence between the peoples, with many Mari converting to the Tänetet native faith and learning Tänetäz over their native Mari language. Genetic studies comparing Tänetet people with Mari from neighboring areas have shown that the Tänetet genome has significant influence from Mari populations.

The second wave consisted of the Moryon people, an unrelated culture from Leifmyrr who migrated south in large numbers during the rise of Morladron Mysterlu, beginning about 200 years ago. The Moryon immigrants quickly outnumbered the Tänetet in their native lands, and the Tänetet culture was not officially recognized by the state.

The situation changed abruptly following the secession of the Ocean Volks Union from Morladron. OVU troops took control of the Vallavan islands, and many Moryon people fled back to Leifmyrr, or south to the still-Morladron-controlled Port Venys. The OVU government rejected Moryon culture and embraced a new Valmer culture and the Valmer language. Many Tänetet, especially the youth, learned Valmer as a second language, and the rate of understanding of both languages among them is very high.

Demographics
Due to the Ocean Volks Union controlling the Vallavan islands and neighboring mainland regions in Volksferrd and Port Venys, virtually all Tänetet people live within the borders of the OVU. Tänetäz speakers are spread throughout the country, but concentrated especially in Vallava State. The Second Union Census found 30% of Vallavans could speak Tänetäz, compared to 22% in Volksferrd and 5% in Port Venys. It has been suggested that the number of speakers, especially in Volksferrd, includes a number of Valmer who learned Tänetäz as a second language, and that the real number of Tänetet people is somewhat lower.

The Tänetet diaspora consists of Tänetet living outside of the Ocean Volks Union, or occasionally more broadly consisting of Tänetet living outside of Vallava State. There are minor Tänetet communities in Nazarin, Samora, the USSE state of Medtremar, and the Sylvanian province of Andrimar.

Language
The most significant identifying feature of the Tänetet people is their use of the Tänetäz language. The language is considered by most linguists to be an isolate, unrelated to the Kernewek language spoken by the Moryon of Leifmyrr, or to the Lausán languages spoken by the Mari and other peoples in Serrona. Investigations into possible linguistic connections are ongoing.

The ability to speak Tänetäz is extremely valued in Tänetet communities, with all children learning the language from a young age, even in regions where the language is not supported by the state. Usage of languages other than Tänetäz when speaking to fellow Tänetet is considered offensive and disrespectful, even, to some degree, with regards non-Tänetet people. For this reason there has long been a political and cultural rift between the Tänetet and other ethnic groups in Vallava.

Culture & Religion
The Tänetet have a long and flourishing record in theatre and the performing arts. Notable theatrical works that have retained timeless popularity include Ve Däp en ðe Pebí and Tuse Demind.