Najer (Cultural Group)

Najer is a cultural group present in the north of Rathnir, with a variety of subgroups and offshoots across multiple continents. It has developed over many thousands of years, and while once also a single race, the Najer culture has come to encompass people of many races and species.

History
For a largely comprehensive history of Najer, see Najer.

Lifestyle and occupations
The Najer retain a unique combination of nomadic and sedentary lifestyles - both being instrumental to their heritage. As such, many stay in large cities: tending to their civil and religious sites, as well as preserving cultural artifacts; while many others choose to relive the nomadic past of their ancestors by traveling the continents and collecting exotic goods.

Those that live in cities, although removed from their nomadic past, live much as those in other countries. A few large cities support the majority of industry in Najer lands, with massive farming, mining, and textile industries. Smaller villages serve the needs of the common folk, although the transient tendencies of the Najer mean that many smaller settlements will bloom and wither in a short time. This concept of coming and going is known as Ipyapeh, or "the tide."

Religion and moral values
Although the Najer eschew religious governance, the large population of adherents to the Lost Gods means that many religious values are ingrained into secular Najer culture. There are six values derived from the worship of the six prime gods of Najer, the Verjah. These values are as follows: These six values form an unofficial code for judging conduct across Najer, even sometimes taking the place of a formal legal system (especially in more rural areas). The Najer view on religion is also highly pluralistic, adapted for the acceptance of many gods and belief systems. As such, there is widespread religious tolerance, with sizable populations of Noxists as well as many other local religions.
 * Tradition
 * Tradition represents a respect for and an understanding of the past, as well as using the mistakes of the past (whether your own mistakes or those of your forefathers) to grow and become better. As a nation that was built on uncovering the hidden past, tradition is a core part of Najer’s identity. This principle was derived from the worship of Menkauhor.
 * Peace
 * Peace represents an active shunning of any phenomenon that promotes hatred and factionalism in others- racism, imperialism, feuds, secret plots, and others. It also includes a willingness to forgive and to compromise with others. An old saying, repeated by Avreham Basha, was that “the Najer do not believe in doors, a manifestation of the Najer's extreme trust in one another.” While Najer has changed much since his time, peace is still a vital element of Najer’s identity. This principle was derived from the worship of Gafa.
 * Prosperity
 * Prosperity represents building a better society for oneself and one’s countrymen, specifically through trust and cooperation. Survival in the desert, or the world in general, is difficult, but it is also so much easier when everyone trusts and relies on each other- this, in turn, promotes the excision of those who cause harm and strife from society. Prosperity is a chief tenement of Najer’s identity. This principle was derived from the worship of Taramsej.
 * Wisdom
 * Wisdom represents a balance of logic and morality to make decisions. It involves doing things, or not doing them, at the right time and place, considering the ramifications of your potential courses of action. Paths that consider the other undying values are the best ones to take. Without a prudent guide, Najer would have been lost long ago, making it a metaphorical northern star of Najer’s identity. This principle was derived from the worship of Koshaf.
 * Expression
 * Expression represents many things, primarily the right of free will and the creation of beautiful works. Individuals are encouraged to create and grow, so long as it does not impede the growth of other individuals or society as a whole. Forcing, or coercing, your will onto others is a bad thing. Both harsh criticism and trustful faith are valuable, but when they stray into extremes of rebellion and blind submission, they cease to be so. Keeping this balance is one of the primary facets of Najer’s identity. This principle was derived from the worship of Duyani.
 * Dedication
 * Dedication represents a commitment to an ideal. It involves mastering oneself and one’s desires to better achieve a higher cause. Hard work, cooperation with people or groups one may dislike, self-sacrifice, and perseverance all exemplify dedication. This principle was derived from the worship of Ajvudah.

Dress and Grooming
The Najer are not an exceptionally modest people, but neither are they sensual. Excessive frivolity, whether prudish or amorous, is viewed as immature. Chests are often bared in the privacy of the home or with close family, but lower halves are always covered. This applies for both genders. It is thought that the harsh life of early nomads led to a very practical cultural view on nudity and clothing.

Najer people wear a combination of simple clothes and robes. Normal clothes, worn under robes, can vary dramatically. For most, a simple combination of a shirt, trousers, and sandals is enough. Some wear clothes that demonstrate their heritage or foreign affiliations. Robes are worn outdoors and in public spaces, but in the home and other private settings, they are rarely worn, as this is seen as overly formal and unnecessary.

The robes worn by the Najer are iconic and distinct, and are best known from the many traveling trader Najer who travel the world. While generally a rich shade of blue, with a bronze or gold trim, other colors also exist. Robes can also vary dramatically in style depending on the region they are made in.

Major clans in Najer will often have a distinctive pattern of embroidery featured on the hems of their robes, used to indicate associations, ties, and history. Certain materials or designs might be claimed as a sort of "trademark" of a clan, though exact patterns can vary from individual to individual. Adopted children might mix the pattern of their birth house and adopted house, and disowned family members may have their stitching forcibly cut off as a statement.

Robes are passed down in Najer, with there usually being a one or two generation gap between recipients. Upon death, an individual's robe is given to their children for safekeeping, and are distributed as appropriate among the individual's grandchildren or great-grandchildren when they come of age (can vary, but generally their mid-to-late teen years). The individual may specify a relative they wish to inherit their robes, but otherwise it goes to their closest and oldest relative. Children that do not receive a robe may have one made for them (as such, the supply and demand for new robes can differ drastically over the generations). There is a secretive group of artisans that closely guards the secret to manufacturing Najer robes, which are distinct in their ability to trap or reflect heat. Some have claimed to have discovered this process, though many believe the robe-makers plant false techniques to obscure the true method.

Food
In Najer, food tend to rely heavily on fruits, vegetables, and other savory plants. Rabbit is considered a delicacy, while most other types of meat are mostly unknown. Meats such as beef and pork are uncommon and considered exotic. Spices and herbs are often used to great effect in Najer food, including in the well-known Kijaro baked potatoes and in Najer spiced bread.

Alcoholic drinks are generally unpopular, with most preferring other drinks like Tea, Cocoa, and Coffee. Many Najer will drink alcohol during festivities or special occasions, but frequent drinking is looked down on.

Meals in Najer are informal, as well as important times for socializing and rest. Traditionally, meals are eaten sitting on the ground around a low table, where all food is shared and passed between members of the group. Food is either eaten with the hands or with simple wooden utensils. The use of utensils in Najer has increased drastically in modern times, having been popularized by interaction with other nations.

Literature and art
The Najer also have an expanding repertoire of folklore, including The Wanderer, whose heroic deeds have since been put to paper. A number of Najer folk stories also exist, demonstrating key cultural values, such as The Black River and The Sorcerer.

The most iconic works the Najer have produced are their temples, which can stand for thousands of years, and are decorated with detailed stonework. Although most temples are ancient, new ones are still being built in areas like the Najer heartlands. Acting primarily as storage, both for valuables and food, they dot the land as places for nomads to take shelter in and rest.

Many old Najer sites contain highly intricate carvings and stonework, and this tradition endures today, with many Najer being immensely proud of the architecture of their towns. Modern cities like Wobambi-on-Sea and Nahrayn echo past designs while putting a newer and grander touch on them. Masonry is a highly valued craft in Najer, on equal par with painting or writing. In addition, many sites have been discovered that contain intricate cave paintings, indicative of a rich artistic tradition dating back thousands of years. These are well preserved and offer an intriguing view into the past of the Najer people and the past inhabitants of the Wandering Deserts.

Calendar
The Najer reckon time from the discovery of the Buried Bells and the Lost god Menkauhor in 5 TE (Traveler's Era, Elder Calendar), or 1572 by the Soleannen calendar, designating it year one. There is no year zero. All years before that date are listed in descending order with the designation BB (Before the Bells). Correspondingly, all years after are designated with AB (After the Bells).

Another difference in the Najer calendar is the time by which years are measured. Each Najer year is equivalent to 1.75 years in the Elder Calendar (One week in real-life time. Each year begins on the Friday of each week, and ends the following Thursday). There are seven months: Fidan, Sepan, Sian, Muan, Tazan, Unan, and Tian. Each month has 72 days.

Due to a laid-back attitude towards schedules and business, most Najer care only to designate the year something happened, and occasionally the month. Anything beyond that is regarded as superfluous.

There also exists a second, more formal category of classification, wherein roughly every 52 years is a "toll." The year 60 AB would be rewritten as the 8th year of the Bells, second Toll, and 105 AB the 1st year of the Bells, third Toll, and so on. The number 52 is based on computations by Najer scientists and theologians that calculated the time of a great cosmological cycle that is unknown to the physical world.

General
The Najer value sincerity, and have great disdain for deceit: While they do keep secrets, they prefer open discussion in all matters of life. As well, the Najer are well known as being gracious and generous hosts known for never letting anybody go hungry if they can help it

Due to the Lost Gods' emphasis on beginnings and ends, they typically wave with their left hand as a greeting, and say farewell with a wave from the right. When meeting people for the first time, the Najer can be expected to gift something of value to the stranger, as a sign of good faith.

Baths
Despite their nomadic roots and despite, or perhaps because of, their arid homelands, the Najer have a deep love for baths and bathhouses. They are not a place to scrub off dirt and dust, but rather are important social and recreational areas for the community. They are often large and lavishly decorated, a point of pride in many Old Najer cities. Cleaning is typically done before entering the baths, often by pouring a bucket of water over oneself or via sweat baths.

Marriage and names
Najer names are commonly based on something found in nature- whether that be a flower, a celestial body, precious minerals, or an animal. Oftentimes a name will be tied to an object that holds cultural meaning and ties into the circumstances of the person's birth.

Both marriages and surnames are traditionally rare among the Najer, although this trend has begun to shift in recent years. In the Poma system, individuals were identified by their parent (typically the father) and the tribe they came from, in the style Given name Parent name-faj niv Tribe. For example, "Zira Yoran-faj niv Tirjak" is equivalent to Zira, the child of Yoran, of clan Tirjak. Nowadays, it is common to see people adopt their tribe as their surname. Marriages were uncommon due to nomadic traditions that meant formal unions and permanent households were uncommon. The constantly traveling nature of the tribes made such things difficult. On occasion, a woman would elope, abandoning her tribe, but more often a man and a woman would enter a relationship for as long as their circumstances would allow- in other words, before their tribes went separate ways again. In a similar fashion to surnames, however, as times change and more Najer have settled into cities, permanent spousal unions are becoming more common, although formal, legal marriages remain rare.

Bells
There exists in Najer artifacts known as the "Bells of Menkauhor" or "the Buried Bells." They were spoken of in legend for much of history, but were first discovered by the Basha tribe in the future site of Najera'jad. Due to this, as well as their association with Menkauhor, the tutelary deity of the first age of Najer, bells have become a strong symbol of divine providence, prosperity, and harmony.

Sun and moon
The Najer respect for the sun and moon is less than in other cultures, but both celestial bodies play a role in Najer symbolism and storytelling. The sun is notable for representing power, conflict, and hardship, while the moon is known for representing serenity, rest, and cooperation. The moon is notably respected for its ties to Noxism and Pom Bacri, a major clan.

Silver
This semi-precious metal was key in defeating the werewolf attacks that plagued Rathnir in its early history. As such, it has become ingrained in the Najer mind as a symbol of northern heritage, cooperation, and tenacity.

Stars and astronomy
Stars were often used for navigation by night in the nomadic tradition, and as such are potent signs of guidance and destiny. The Najer say that they were the first to catalog the stars and give them names and associations, though many outside Najer dispute this fact. Najer star charts have long been used for wayfinding and storytelling, both vital parts of nomadic life.

Zonds
Zonds are an especially ancient mythical creature, ones long thought to be guardians of the desert who bless those who see them with luck and favor.

Camels
Camels have long been companions of the Najer, used in caravans to haul goods and people, as well as a source of milk, leather, and meat. Accordingly, the Najer honor the camel as loyal friends, with many camel breeders keeping extensive track of the genealogies, histories, and information about each camel born.

Llamas
A constant colleague of the Najer throughout the generations, llamas are thought of as symbols of hard work, perseverance, and stubbornness. They originally lived on the slopes of the Kijar mountains before being domesticated by early proto-Najer peoples.

Owls
Owls are regarded as an omen of errors unfixed, debts unpaid, and promises unfulfilled. Those who see an owl know they must quickly set right their affairs or else bad things will happen to them.

Poma and the Seyoh Council
Due to their origin as a loose group of desert-dwelling tribes, the traditional authority of the Najer was derived from a tribal oligarchy.

The citizens lived in "Poma" (tribes, in the Najer language); small self-identified groups each represented by a "Seyoh" (Lead Scout). Seyohs held recognized authority within their Pom, but outside of their community retained no governance. Despite this, they are respected by all Najer. Seyohs had no internal hierarchy, together they formed a council which served to govern the Najer on a local and inter-city level.

Monarchy
After the formation of the Silver Coalition, and during its eventual morph into the Sterling Crownlands, Najer became a monarchy. The people united under a crown and selected mayors for towns, adopting the traditions and other trappings of Sterling Culture. As such, the Pom and Seyoh system rapidly declined in use. Even after the fall of the Sterling Crownlands, Najer retained the monarchy and mayor system. Although this paradigm had been firmly integrated into traditional Najer culture, the erasure of old traditions was criticized by some. Under the rule of Emir Hirudo Talvos and his focus on Najer culture, the term Seyoh was re-applied to mayorship, with the Seyoh council becoming a semi-representative body of prominent figures.

As such, the current Najer government is the purest still-extant remnant of Sterling Culture and authority. The King, called the Emir, is aided by a body of competent and trustworthy individuals who manage various aspects of their dominion, from the land, to the culture, to the infrastructure, and more. This is the system they still use today.

Trivia

 * Left-handedness is significantly more common in Najer than average.