Böji-Erchu

The Böji-Erchu (singular: Böji-Erch) or Bunnyfolk are an itinerant group of nomads found scattered across Eldham. They have no particular homeland, and instead wander the world by obligation. As their name suggests, they appear to be humans with rabbit-like characteristics, most notably bearing long ears atop their heads instead of small human ears on the side. They most commonly speak the Böji-Xel language, and generally adhere to the Ünch Satagel faith.

Ethnogenesis
The origins of the Bunnyfolk are not quite clear to anthropologists. Due to cultural similarities, they are compared with the Shirûnic people of Rathnir (and originally Jagdas); however others compare them much closer to the Ainin, who are closer geographically and bear the rabbit-like ears of the Böji-Erchu. The Ainin are also nomadic, much like the Böji.

Folk tales tell of how the Böji-Erchu were created when their matron deity Eyezh Ekh (First Mother, also spelled E'ezh Ex) married a rabbit and a human together. It is from the agility, libido, and trickster-ish nature of the rabbit, and the handiness, strength, and social ability of the human, that the stereotypical Böji-Erch personality allegedly comes from. The legend maintains that the nature of the rabbit cancelled out the otherwise lazy qualities of settled humans, allowing them to best fit their nomadic way of life.

Secular scientific narratives suggest that the Böji-Erchu originated possibly from a combination of a human population and a now-extinct race of anthropomorphic rabbit peoples, as many other animal peoples have been seen to convergently evolve a hominin-like body plan. Influence of particular but poorly-understood magics allow the two disparate species to breed and produce fertile offspring, which is otherwise impossible.

Religion
The Böji-Erchu have a very unique culture that many consider inseparable from their religion, Ünch Satagel. It is a semi-monotheistic faith, believing in a single sky-mother who is the matron deity of the Böji-Erchu, though aspects of ancestor worship and animism are present.

Nomadism and Material Wealth
The Böji-Erchu are well-known for their nomadic lifestyle, of which they are fiercely stalwart in. They are so proud of this mode of life, in fact, that many historically have viewed (and some still view) settled peoples as inferior or foolish, and only fellow nomads were/are regarded as equals. Anything that can't be bolted down permanently or carried on horseback is, to many of the Böji-Erchu, free for the taking. As such, many become well-known for banditry. Others do recognize the property of settled folk and prefer to trade fairly, though this property is often seen as a frivolous hoard, or only as temporary ownership. Some Böji-Erchu still nonetheless take up sedentary lives out of necessity.

Ultimately, Ünch Satagel regards all property as belonging to the world itself, and that peoples' ownership is only temporary. The Böji-Erchu are instructed to only take from nature what is necessary, and to live extravagantly not through physical possessions but through lived experiences. As such, they do not flaunt wealth, and share commodities and other objects with their clan, but will not hesitate to live daringly, often challenging each other to dares, consuming copious amounts of drugs and alcohol, playing loud music, and (most notably) frequently engaging in recreational intercourse.

Relationships with Rabbits
Being part-rabbit, the Böji-Erchu regard rabbits as their kin. Since rabbits have not adopted a sedentary agricultural lifestyle, they are generally regarded as fellow nomads who have not "fallen" to the level of permanently dwelling in one place. Eating rabbit meat is paramount to cannibalism, and the raising of rabbits as domestic animals is regarded equivalently to chattel slavery. Rumor has it that some Böji-Erch bandits may slaughter the human inhabitants of a village just to set its caged rabbits free.

Dwellings
The homes of the Böji-Erchu are usually cloth and wood huts, typically referred to as "yurts" in Traveler's Tongue. The Böji-Xel world for this particular architectural style is kiyiz üy, meaning "felt house" as they are most often made of woolen felt. These homes are made to be quickly assembled or taken apart, as to suit their itinerant lifestyle.

Diet
The Böji-Erchu are also well known for their love of root vegetables, most notably carrots. They are valued for their nutrients and vitamins, and the concept of eating food directly from the earth appeals to the bunnyfolks' sense of humbleness. Despite nearly all of them raising livestock, they do not eat as much meat as other nomadic peoples, instead using them for dairy production and/or selling their products to others in exchange for vegetables. They will occasionally plant and maintain wild and semi-wild vegetable patches and fruit groves, visiting them a few times a year on their travels when they are ready for harvest.

Apart from carrots, many other favored food include seafood dishes, mutton, and cheese.

Ulusyn Böjin?
Despite their disparate and tribal nature, the common Böji-Erch identity penetrates their identity through and through. Some have suggested the formation of a khanate or confederation of some kind, be it a stateless nation of nomads maintaining laws and government among its members; others suggest a traditional state with defined territory. The second camp is further split between those who favor a land where the Böji-Erchu should be nomads only, and others who prefer the Böji-Erchu to become sedentary and build cities.

Böji-Erch nationalism has resulted in the concept of the Ulusyn Böjin, or "Böji [Erch] Land". A representative of the various Böji-Erchu tribes under the title "Ulusyn Böjin" is present in the United Nations of Eldham, holding observer status.