Introduction
It's a complex task to summarise a species' culture. It's learned, shared, and transmitted to children, but it can also change with time, and it can vary according to regions and communities. Here will be shown the most common aspects of Yevatem and Velilyevatem's culture across Bothea.
Some "artworks" here have been made using AI and modified afterwards with CSP. These ones are free to use for any YVVO project. You can ask Yoka for a single, full-sized card if you want. Read the rules for more details about the use of AIs here.
Tabs:
- Art
- Clothes and jewelry
- Food and drinks
- Tech and crafts
- Rituals, ceremonies
- Trade and social
Some "artworks" here have been made using AI and modified afterwards with CSP. These ones are free to use for any YVVO project. You can ask Yoka for a single, full-sized card if you want. Read the rules for more details about the use of AIs here.
Tabs:
- Art
- Clothes and jewelry
- Food and drinks
- Tech and crafts
- Rituals, ceremonies
- Trade and social
Art
Tattoos and bodypainting
In general, Yevatem believe that their body is a canvas. They will enjoy getting tattoos or to bodypaint themselves for any reason. Pinterest board
See also: Works of art in the historical figures page
Tattoos
In the Yevat language, it's said "Vanyede." They're used to tattoo themselves a lot of glyphs and symbols about their life, their past, their beliefs, etc. Tattoos can also be used as symbols to show the belonging to a clan or tribe, for example. Vanyede makayevatem, tattoos artists, are admired and respected for their art. They often use metallic needles, crafted from spaceships components, to engrave the skin with the ink produced by a black fruit's juice. If a Yevat asks for a tattoo but can't handle the pain, they'll be considered as weak.
Some frequent tattoos emplacements (but no mandatory) chosen by Yevatem:
- Face, all around the eyes, nose and forehead (decorative)
- Tongue, and interior of the lips (for glyphs with a specific meaning for the Yevat)
- Ears, even inside
- Arms, but especially the fingers, hands, and wrists
- Tail, especially for long tails
Bodypainting
Bodypainting is a little different. It's named "Kraska" in their language, and Yevatem use it for specific occasions. They use plants, fruits and roots to get many different colors to paint their body, and can get very fancy. Some Yevatem even color their tongue! The paint can be a dry powder or a liquid depending on the color, the time of creation, and the original product.
Common body painting occasions on Bothea:
- When a monk becomes a recognized Velilyevat in a town, everybody will body paint
- Parties, celebrations for anything
- To hunt. The bigger the hunt, the bigger the body paint
- The death of a Yevat (the face is often painted in full black or in full white, to show the mourn)
- A war between two tribes, or an open war against the Valisem, the strangers (which is risky)
- Etc. Any reason is good!
In general, Yevatem believe that their body is a canvas. They will enjoy getting tattoos or to bodypaint themselves for any reason. Pinterest board
See also: Works of art in the historical figures page
Tattoos
In the Yevat language, it's said "Vanyede." They're used to tattoo themselves a lot of glyphs and symbols about their life, their past, their beliefs, etc. Tattoos can also be used as symbols to show the belonging to a clan or tribe, for example. Vanyede makayevatem, tattoos artists, are admired and respected for their art. They often use metallic needles, crafted from spaceships components, to engrave the skin with the ink produced by a black fruit's juice. If a Yevat asks for a tattoo but can't handle the pain, they'll be considered as weak.
Some frequent tattoos emplacements (but no mandatory) chosen by Yevatem:
- Face, all around the eyes, nose and forehead (decorative)
- Tongue, and interior of the lips (for glyphs with a specific meaning for the Yevat)
- Ears, even inside
- Arms, but especially the fingers, hands, and wrists
- Tail, especially for long tails
Bodypainting
Bodypainting is a little different. It's named "Kraska" in their language, and Yevatem use it for specific occasions. They use plants, fruits and roots to get many different colors to paint their body, and can get very fancy. Some Yevatem even color their tongue! The paint can be a dry powder or a liquid depending on the color, the time of creation, and the original product.
Common body painting occasions on Bothea:
- When a monk becomes a recognized Velilyevat in a town, everybody will body paint
- Parties, celebrations for anything
- To hunt. The bigger the hunt, the bigger the body paint
- The death of a Yevat (the face is often painted in full black or in full white, to show the mourn)
- A war between two tribes, or an open war against the Valisem, the strangers (which is risky)
- Etc. Any reason is good!
Sculpture and painting
It's not rare to witness many artworks of sculpture and large painting inside a city, town, or even on a caravan. Most of time, sculpture will be carved inside stone, but it's not rare either to witness them carved in trees. Paintings are rarer, since it degrades quickly with wind and rain.
Sculpture and painting are an important part of a community's life and towns and cities will often evaluate their pride and importance according to the artworks present between their walls. It can even lead to rivalries.
It's not rare to witness many artworks of sculpture and large painting inside a city, town, or even on a caravan. Most of time, sculpture will be carved inside stone, but it's not rare either to witness them carved in trees. Paintings are rarer, since it degrades quickly with wind and rain.
Sculpture and painting are an important part of a community's life and towns and cities will often evaluate their pride and importance according to the artworks present between their walls. It can even lead to rivalries.
Music and songs
As most of Yevatem have big ears (bigger than human's), their hearing is pretty good. They often pay attention to their voice and to other's voices. 'Voice' is said Mitsi, and to sing, Mitsiai. If a Yevat has a pretty voice, they might be asked to sing for the community. If they agree, they'll learn songs and will be asked to join choirs in events (like the death of a Velilyevat, the birth of a Yevat, etc.) They believe the mitsi, when mitsiai, can heal the soul from anything. Their choirs are often A capella, since they value the voice more than any musical instrument. When there are musical instruments, it's frequently percussions. The following song are examples of what you could hear in a town, or you can also click here to listen to a super complete playlist on Youtube!
As most of Yevatem have big ears (bigger than human's), their hearing is pretty good. They often pay attention to their voice and to other's voices. 'Voice' is said Mitsi, and to sing, Mitsiai. If a Yevat has a pretty voice, they might be asked to sing for the community. If they agree, they'll learn songs and will be asked to join choirs in events (like the death of a Velilyevat, the birth of a Yevat, etc.) They believe the mitsi, when mitsiai, can heal the soul from anything. Their choirs are often A capella, since they value the voice more than any musical instrument. When there are musical instruments, it's frequently percussions. The following song are examples of what you could hear in a town, or you can also click here to listen to a super complete playlist on Youtube!
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Architecture Most of time, Yevatem are carvers. They'll select a nice world-tree or cave, and they'll carve homes inside. Their architecture is mostly visible from the inside rather than the exterior, allowing them to hide whole towns or tribes from the sight of predators. You can find examples on the environment page and inside pinterest boards. They're also known to build "hammocks" and bridges with strong lianas and roots that they orientate when it grows. Eventually, Yevatem may also use Oyevat's ruins and wrecks as homes. |
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Literature and philosophy
Since glyphs writing requires a lot of knownledge and materials, writing whole stories is mostly reserved to cities. Cities will write important events that really hapenned, stories they hear from other communities, and knownledge they gathered about any subject. They'll gather everything inside libraries, that are often kept and protected by Velilyevatem, and it's really hard to access one: to gain the access to knownledge, you must offer another piece of knownledge.
Philosophers are really rare, and mostly question their society in order to improve it. They're more often scribes at the same time.
Recently, the writing has been eased by the works of Velilselain, and his story and unique writing system can be found here.
Clothes and jewelry
What's the fashion?
Yevat's fashion adapts according to the region, the community, and if the person is a Yevat or a Velilyevat. Desert nomadics will have lighter clothes than jungle folks, but deep in the undergrounds and close to the ice, they'll have warmer clothes. Travellers will have tougher clothes than cityfolks, and so on. Velilyevatem inside cities and towns will bear ornamental clothes. In general, nudity isn't a taboo since Yevatem's genitalias are naturally hidden. Since it isn't required to wear clothes, it's not rare to see nude Yevatem. However, for the same reason they love to be tattooed and bodypainted, they also love to be decorated. Clothes and jewelry, when they don't serve a useful purpose (like a protection for a hunter, for example,) are worn to highlight a Yevat's natural beauty. Here are some Pinterest boards about tribe folks, townsfolks and cityfolks' fashion. In general, crowns and large headpieces will be worn by Velilyevatem only. Used materials Yevatem make thin and elegant clothes with silk they get from plants. Tough clothes are made with leather of various animals. Regular, everyday clothes are mostly made with Bokem's wool. Jewelry is made with the metal gathered inside Oyevat's ruins and wrecks. |
Food and drinks
Popular food and drinks
Yevatem will cook according to the resources they have close by. In the jungle areas, they'll benefit from a lot of meat, leaves, fruits and roots. In the undergrounds, they'll feed on fishing, fungi and roots. And in the deserts, they'll do as they can to gather rare plants and to hunt animals.
Here are some examples of popular dishes:
Summer salad - cubes of fruits and raw meat, with some tender leaves. Sweet dish.
Bloody steak - a half-baked piece of meat, presented between two large yellow leaves cut in circle (like a sandwich.) The leaves give a fresh taste. Salted dish.
Jaja fruits - fruit puree/mash with Jaja tree juice (with alcohol.) Sweet dish.
Jaja steak - meat with Jaja tree juice (with alcohol.) Salted dish.
Tavlej tree roots - Sweet tree roots they love to chew on. Gives white teeth but is kinda dry. Candies.
Dry meat - Slats of dry meat, useful for long trips.
Fish n' fungi's chips - You've got to cook with what you have! Salted dish.
Yevatem will cook according to the resources they have close by. In the jungle areas, they'll benefit from a lot of meat, leaves, fruits and roots. In the undergrounds, they'll feed on fishing, fungi and roots. And in the deserts, they'll do as they can to gather rare plants and to hunt animals.
Here are some examples of popular dishes:
Summer salad - cubes of fruits and raw meat, with some tender leaves. Sweet dish.
Bloody steak - a half-baked piece of meat, presented between two large yellow leaves cut in circle (like a sandwich.) The leaves give a fresh taste. Salted dish.
Jaja fruits - fruit puree/mash with Jaja tree juice (with alcohol.) Sweet dish.
Jaja steak - meat with Jaja tree juice (with alcohol.) Salted dish.
Tavlej tree roots - Sweet tree roots they love to chew on. Gives white teeth but is kinda dry. Candies.
Dry meat - Slats of dry meat, useful for long trips.
Fish n' fungi's chips - You've got to cook with what you have! Salted dish.
How are alcohol and drugs perceived
Yevatem perceive alcohol as a "funny juice." Just like for humans, it's something reserved for parties or cooking, and it's badly seen to drink too much and lose control because of it. For this reason, it's common to watch people close to you during parties or neighbors just to make sure that nobody drinks too much. Nobody wants a sudden Rokyevat who can't control him or herself in the party! The easiest way to get alcohol is from a widely spread tree named the Jaja tree, which sap is liquid, tastes like caramel and spices, and has a high concentration in alcohol. Drugs come from various plants. They're mostly used for two aspects: visions, and healing. It's common to prepare various potions and vapors from cook plants, roots, flowers, leaves, and sometimes even venom, to help Velilyevatem to have visions of the future (even if its efficiency still has to be proved) or to calm one's pains. It can also be used to disinfect wounds and to soothe hurt Yevatem, but you maybe want to know more about that on the medicine page. More rarely, it can be used by hunters to calm a beast before killing it, by poisoning blades or arrows, for example. Here are also some animals used in alchemy: - Iveleil's eyes (once cook) are good to fall asleep and to relax - Nyokua's venom is useful to poison weapons when hunting - Siune's saliva is an excellent painkiller - Syntyla's fur (when reduced to powder) makes a Yevat feels lighter, and is said to help visions - Sundyr's hormonal glands (in small doses) generates heat and gives energy - Teskagora's fungis is known to have an awful and very strong taste, and to have a different effect depending on everyone |
Harvesting food
Yevatem are mostly hunter-gatherers. When they hunter and/or gather, they make sure to plant new fruits trees and not to kill every animals in the region to always have food. More rarely, some Yevatem choose to have a garden to take care of, or to raise animals for their meat. Learn more in the jobs page.
Yevatem are mostly hunter-gatherers. When they hunter and/or gather, they make sure to plant new fruits trees and not to kill every animals in the region to always have food. More rarely, some Yevatem choose to have a garden to take care of, or to raise animals for their meat. Learn more in the jobs page.
Tech and crafts
Yevatem's technology could be compared to the middle-ages' technology, or even a bit less. It greatly varies from the community's available resources. Yevatem's main sources of metal are Oyevat ruins and wrecks, and it'd be wise to set up a town or a city nearby one of those ruins. Other than metal, they use a lot of wood and stone.
The poorest communities (such as nomadic tribes or small towns) will craft their tools and weapons mostly with wood, and by bending cold metal, resulting in fragile objects. The richest communities (such as bigger towns and cities) will have forges. The forges are often seen inside undergounds, just under public baths (when they have an easy access to water) so the water is warmed by the forge. These communities will bend metal with hot forges and have so far the best level of 'technology.' A good sword or jewelry made in one of these forges will be sought and cost a lot in trades. Eventually, it's possible for Yevatem to find some objects inside Oyevat ruins that they would use as tools, weapons or accessories; some Yevatem have been seen wearing googles for example.
Tools
Yevatem create a lot of tools. From the walking stick to the cooking items, passing by home furniture, complex bags and pouches, and custom items. They can't craft anything robotic nor intelligent like the Oyevatems used to, but it doesn't prevent them to make their life easier with geniune creativity. Each activity has its own tools and each Yevat has their favourite or custom tools. Leather, tissues, wood and metal are enough components to create whatever you need for a said situation. Some examples of Yevat's tools:
- Nets crafted with thin lianas - useful to fish, or simply to hang objects in your home such as food or a bunch of bioluminescent fungis to enlight your place
- Wooden bowls with or without handle to eat or to collect objects
- Brushes with various animals' fur for various textures, and sculpture tools
- Toys for children, and smaller tools to teach the kids how to craft their own toys afterwards, etc.
The poorest communities (such as nomadic tribes or small towns) will craft their tools and weapons mostly with wood, and by bending cold metal, resulting in fragile objects. The richest communities (such as bigger towns and cities) will have forges. The forges are often seen inside undergounds, just under public baths (when they have an easy access to water) so the water is warmed by the forge. These communities will bend metal with hot forges and have so far the best level of 'technology.' A good sword or jewelry made in one of these forges will be sought and cost a lot in trades. Eventually, it's possible for Yevatem to find some objects inside Oyevat ruins that they would use as tools, weapons or accessories; some Yevatem have been seen wearing googles for example.
Tools
Yevatem create a lot of tools. From the walking stick to the cooking items, passing by home furniture, complex bags and pouches, and custom items. They can't craft anything robotic nor intelligent like the Oyevatems used to, but it doesn't prevent them to make their life easier with geniune creativity. Each activity has its own tools and each Yevat has their favourite or custom tools. Leather, tissues, wood and metal are enough components to create whatever you need for a said situation. Some examples of Yevat's tools:
- Nets crafted with thin lianas - useful to fish, or simply to hang objects in your home such as food or a bunch of bioluminescent fungis to enlight your place
- Wooden bowls with or without handle to eat or to collect objects
- Brushes with various animals' fur for various textures, and sculpture tools
- Toys for children, and smaller tools to teach the kids how to craft their own toys afterwards, etc.
Left picture, from left to right: 1. A pickaxe, made with components found in an Oyevat wreck. 2. A handle which is used to roll fishnets and fishing ropes around; currently has none. 3. A rather small hammer, used to craft jewelery or delicate pieces of metal. In harsh conditions, can also be used as a lever or crowbar. And in even harsher conditions, can eventually be used as a blunt weapon. You never know when trouble can find you! 4. An elegant knife used to tan hides. |
Right picture, from left to right:
1 & 2. Two different objects serving the same purpose: they're tattoo needles. The first one is made with animal quills, and is more tribal, the second one is made with metal from Oyevat wrecks and has two different "brushes" to mark the skin, so it's more evolved. 3. A very elegant and expensive tool, this "marker" is as small as a thumb, and is used by explorers and boat captains to point at precise emplacements on a map. 4. Clothes or hair brooches, they're refined and can be used as weapons if need be, even if they'll most of time hold a cloth or belt in place. |
Weapons
If Yevatem would rather not encourage violence, you've got to eat and to protect yourself. Hunting and protecting are two activites that requires weapons, even if the Rokyevat form is often enough to fight. If guards mostly have long-range weapon to dissuade foes and intruders from getting closer, hunters prefer to set-up large traps to redirect preys into. Nets, hole filled with deadly sticks, ropes, so many inventions to catch big animals. But hunters and fishers also have been seen with swords, spears, harpoons, and bows. The richest cities also have been known to craft crossbows but these items remain really rare. |
Spears are a very frequent sight on Bothea. They're reliable, easy to craft, and give a Yevat a long range in combat, both to stay safe and to attack before the attacker. They're often made with wood or metal, and the shape of the tip can vary a lot. Some will carve on stone or use shattered rocks to have a strong blade that resist blood and erosion. Others might seek more refined tips, and craft from Oyevat spaceship wrecks' metal. Then, some tips made of glass have been seen; extra sharp but not very strong, they're mostly for parade. |
Swords and blades will vary a lot on Bothea. From the distinguished and perfectly symmetrical metallic blade, sharp as a Varveleil's claw and elegant, to the blunt and decorated piece of wood that can be used to slam people or predator's heads. Not always lethal, but the victims would rather wish it was! Swordsmasters are quite rare, and the weapon is less common than the spear. It's most frequently seen among town and city protectors. |
The "spearsword" is, as the name indicates, a mix between a spear and sword. The handle is too short to be a spear, but too long to be a sword, and you could also call it a "sword that can be thrown." It's more common than swords, and spearswords master are often looking like they dance more than they attack, even if their elegant and thin blades are often sharp enough (and covered with substances like venom) to be lethal. It's an excellent weapon, as it's effective on Yevatem, Varveleilem, wildlife, and predators. It's however quite bad for guarding and town protection, as it's more a weapon to attack than to defend. Static protectors will tend to use swords and spears instead. |
Shields are not very famous on Bothea, as Yevatem will prefer to wear armors, but they're real craftmasters artworks. They're often very intricate and complex, and can be made of metal or wood - but wood is always prefered as it's lighter. Metal ones would mostly be used against Varveleilem, and even then, the heat generated by a dragon's fire could melt them - so that would be against jungle dragons only. Needless to say that they're not very popular among Yevatem, but those who wear them are unreachable and have a real advantage in fights. Spears and speaswords can hardly break it, and swords will have to be heavy enough. It'll also handle an animal's deadly bite and deflect arrows, and has saved the lives of many Yevatem on Bothea. |
Bows are probably the most popular weapon on Bothea. There are so many that they can vary greatly, and almost every children learn how to craft and use one. They're at the base of Yevat alimentation, as they're the most prefered weapon for hunting, aside from traps.
1 & 5: Decorated, regular bows. 2: A strange bow that has blades on the tips for eventual close combat, most probably used by a hunter-gatherer. Arrows are pulled back with individual strings, then released with the golden string. Requires special arrows to hang to the strings. 3: A bow with two strings. Shoots two arrows, for twice more fun! 4. A thick, Yevat-sized bow. It can't be easily transported so it's rather used as a defensive bow. Shoots really thick arrows. |
Musical instruments
Yevatem tend to prefer one's voice above everything, but some of them aren't as good to sing as they would like to! For them, another solution exists: musical instruments. Crafters of it are rare, as it's a complex science, so instruments tend to worth a lot in trades. It's not rare to have a few on boats or merchants caravans to brighten the day.
Percussions, string instruments, flutes and didgeridoos are equally common! They also have bells and idiophones.
Yevatem tend to prefer one's voice above everything, but some of them aren't as good to sing as they would like to! For them, another solution exists: musical instruments. Crafters of it are rare, as it's a complex science, so instruments tend to worth a lot in trades. It's not rare to have a few on boats or merchants caravans to brighten the day.
Percussions, string instruments, flutes and didgeridoos are equally common! They also have bells and idiophones.
String instruments exist, and they're as varied as there are Yevatem. If most of time, they aim to imitate a Yevat's voice in term of sound, it can also vary. The third picture (right picture) shows for example a metallic banjo, providing a unique sound. Most of time, the instruments will be adapted to a Yevat's claws and played like a guitar or a violin. But instead of holding it like a guitar or violin, they'll lay it on their thighs while sitting, and play like this (or between the legs for any violin/cello-like instruments, sometimes holding them in place with their feet.) |
Percussions are probably the most common musical instrument on Bothea. They can have any shape and size, and are often decorated with beads, bones, feathers, and any other colorful components.
(Left picture) The fourth instrument isn't a percussion, but what Yevatem call a "Fuusut," a "winder." It's moved a bit like a paddle, while the Yevat dances at the same time, and a lot of small membranes react to wind passing through, making an eerie sound (a bit like a double bullroarer!) |
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A lot of pipes and tubes can be gathered among Oyevat ruins and wrecks, and for this reason it's not rare either to see them being used for music; after all, Yevatem have the ears for sounds!
(Following examples: Pipe tubes, euphone, Khene, handpan.)
(Following examples: Pipe tubes, euphone, Khene, handpan.)
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Means of transportation
There are plenty of reasons why you'd need to move on Bothea, and as many answers. The safest and quickest way to travel on Bothea is through boats, floating on the undergrounds' gigantic network of rivers and seas. Boats will vary in size and shapes but are always convenient and fast. But you may not always have an easy access to undergrounds, boat owners may charge a lot, and you can't always bring a lot of stuff with you. More: sometimes the place you want to reach doesn't always have a boat access. In that case, it's best to travel on the surface.
Travelling merchants, who are always on the road, use caravans: large wooden structures covered with fabrics will hide goods and bed places. For a small fee, most of them will accept to take you on a part of their journey, allowing you to travel with company and relatively safely.
Finally, if you're alone or if you want to reach unreachable places, you should use a mount. Either you have your own or either you borrow a friend's mount, some can carry heavy weights and surprise you with their unique abilities. And as long as you feed them, they should remain faithful.
Rituals, ceremonies
Most events in a Yevat's life which are celebrated can be found on the page Lifespan and life events. This category mentions rituals that are not directly related to a Yevat's personal accomplishments, but rather rituals that help them in life or that celebrate life. You may want to be up to date with their deities and beliefs before reading this tab.
To "pray" for a Yevat will rarely be showned by holding their hands like on Earth. They most often touch the ground or raise their hands to the sky, depending on the prayer.
Renewal (Every cycle) - At the renewal of every cycle, Yevatem lit fires and gather around it. It usually happens at the end or beginning of a cycle (the last day of Dezasma, or the first of Yesma,) but it can also happen at any date depending on the region. There, the oldest Yevatem are expected to transmit their knowledge to the youngest, and the youth is expected to listen respectfully. The Yevat Otimsaal and Bothea are then both venerated through chants and prayers, and thanked for the life they gifted.
Praise the light (Fasma) - During the hottest month of the year (Fasma,) Yevatem praise the light of Ma'ni and Kubo, their two suns. (It tends to be celebrated much more at the surface, for obvious reasons.) Children will gather glowing bugs and plants to decorate their town so it fully glows in the dark during the night. It's a way to represent the light even when it's dark, and to thank the Suns for their infinite light. It's considered as a "not so important" celebration, and might be skipped according to the town or city.
Reunion (When Seles is visible in the sky) - When Seles is close to Bothea, those who left their loved ones long ago to become merchants, adventurers, to follow a lover, or simply to move from a region, usually come back to their roots. They'll visit their family members and old friends and have parties with them. It happens approximately once every 10 cycles (50 years), which means that between-time, children became adults and many other things may have changed.
To "pray" for a Yevat will rarely be showned by holding their hands like on Earth. They most often touch the ground or raise their hands to the sky, depending on the prayer.
Renewal (Every cycle) - At the renewal of every cycle, Yevatem lit fires and gather around it. It usually happens at the end or beginning of a cycle (the last day of Dezasma, or the first of Yesma,) but it can also happen at any date depending on the region. There, the oldest Yevatem are expected to transmit their knowledge to the youngest, and the youth is expected to listen respectfully. The Yevat Otimsaal and Bothea are then both venerated through chants and prayers, and thanked for the life they gifted.
Praise the light (Fasma) - During the hottest month of the year (Fasma,) Yevatem praise the light of Ma'ni and Kubo, their two suns. (It tends to be celebrated much more at the surface, for obvious reasons.) Children will gather glowing bugs and plants to decorate their town so it fully glows in the dark during the night. It's a way to represent the light even when it's dark, and to thank the Suns for their infinite light. It's considered as a "not so important" celebration, and might be skipped according to the town or city.
Reunion (When Seles is visible in the sky) - When Seles is close to Bothea, those who left their loved ones long ago to become merchants, adventurers, to follow a lover, or simply to move from a region, usually come back to their roots. They'll visit their family members and old friends and have parties with them. It happens approximately once every 10 cycles (50 years), which means that between-time, children became adults and many other things may have changed.
Conjuring good luck (Anytime) - Whenever a merchant, an explorer, or any Yevat wanting to bring themself some good luck, they'll praise Ai Yaken, the god of luck, curiosity, and discoveries. Yevatem will say either "Ai Yaken, be with me," or "Ai Yaken is with us, always," with a special movement. Each Yevat has their own special movement: some will snap their fingers, some will flip a trinket, some will touch a luckycharm, etc. It's supposed to bring good luck to anybody, either the Yevat believe or not in Ai Yaken.
Not today (When dying) - Singing or whispering the ode to Matia when feeling that death is close would, supposedly, spare the dying Yevat. In the worst cases, conjuring the goddess of Death might as well give them a quick and painless death, if they can't be spared. The miracle of life (When desiring a child) - Yevatem with an uterus (or their partners) might desire to see the miracle of life for themselves. For this, they'll pray Al Lubia, the goddess of life, using many means: caring for other's children, planting and caring for many plants and flowers, avoid hunting (avoid taking lives) and praising life in general, to show that they are ready to care for a new life of their own. Preparing for a hunt (before hunting sessions) - Yevatem understand that taking an animal's life to be fed and clothed is a gift by Bothea. They value this gift and thus, hunters are often seen applying bodypainting on their face, chest and arms (and sometimes more) before going for a hunt. Unless special hunts (life events), they'll prefer natural colors, which help them blending in nature, and makes of the better hunters at the same time. They're also used to look at their own shadows, and to salute it: indeed, it's say that Al Vanator, the god of the hunt, is in the shadow of every hunter. Saluting it would be like saluting this god, to make sure that they come back from the hunt with the hands full and unharmed. |
No anger for me, thanks (when there are tensions within communities) - It's said that Al Deltetuta, god/goddess of excess, is what pushes Yevatem to let their feelings dominate them and take decisions in their stead. In the past, it was believed that agitating noisy trinkets (often crafted with animal bones or pieces of wood) would repel this god/goddess and allow everyone to regain their senses and be reasonable again. Nowadays, Yevatem don't really believe in this god anymore (for the big majority,) but kept the trinkets. Whenever there are dissensions or tension in a community, it's a common thing to craft these noisy trinkets and to hang them outside, so the wind can make them flap against one another, make light sounds, and repel the negativity. Sometimes, when only one Yevat is grumpy in the community, he might wake up one morning and see that his house has been covered with these trinkets. It's a way for the community to ask him (or her/they) to be more kind with others.
Could we get some rain, please? (During droughts) - Praying and singing for Al Ketasen and Ai Krastasen, gods of weather, to have rain during droughts is a common sight on the surface, especially near the desert areas. It's however more common among tribes and small towns, and unpopular for cities, so it's a dying tradition. Underground folks are known to still pray these gods more than the surface, but not because of rain: they instead pray to avoid natural disasters.
Could we get some rain, please? (During droughts) - Praying and singing for Al Ketasen and Ai Krastasen, gods of weather, to have rain during droughts is a common sight on the surface, especially near the desert areas. It's however more common among tribes and small towns, and unpopular for cities, so it's a dying tradition. Underground folks are known to still pray these gods more than the surface, but not because of rain: they instead pray to avoid natural disasters.
Trade and social
Balance inside a community and fair work
In general, staying inside a community (a town, a tribe, a city, a merchant's caravan, etc.) implies that a Yevat is useful in some way to this community (except for children, who learn.) If a Yevat knows how to hunt, then he'll bring food, if he knows how to draw then he'll paint the town, if he's an elder then he can tell his knowledge, etc. If he has a skill, then he'll offer it to the community. In exchange, he's able to benefit from every other skills in the community: food from the cook, a house from the home-crafters, etc. Yevatem don't use a currency, they only trade and exchange services and favors. Any skill is good to go, and Yevatem will most often accept a Yevat who's willing to be active no matter the skill. Here are some of the most practised skills as examples. Couples Yevatem have only one word for "owning," and "to protect." To them, having a nice bracelet and a girl/boyfriend means the same: you have them close to you, and you must take care of them. To love then means to engage yourself to protect the loved one, just like to own an object means to protect and evenutally fix it. This can't be compared to slavery, since two Yevatem must agree to "own" each other to form a couple. If Bothean Yevatem learned to speak English, they'd be confused and they'd say: "I own one brother and my girlfiend," and they would think "I protect and I'm responsible for them, as they protect and are responsible for me." It's also good to know that a "couple" on Bothea does not always mean two Yevatem of opposite sex: not only Yevatem can love each other no matter their gender, but they can also compose couples of more than two Yevatem. It's not so rare to hear a child claiming that he has three or four parents. And since their pronouns have no gender, a Yevat's gender or sex is never a source of discrimination. Trades with other communities and with merchants Yevatem practice a lot of trade with their friendly neighbor communities and with nomadic merchants. They trade goods, and people. For example, if a town living at the surface of Bothea needs a water income, they can trade with a nearby underground town to get it. They could offer fruits or meat, or anything the underground town would like in exchange. Yevatem also "trade people": if a Yevat wants it (for any reason), he can move out and exchange his home with someone in a nearby town. It allows communities to get "new blood": new skills, new potential relationships with someone, and new blood for mating. |
How news spread inside a community
Inside a community, news spread pretty fast and through rumors and talks. When the cook has prepared a meal for the community and everyone joins, for example, Yevatem will talk about everything; and if your new ring has been stolen by the neighbor's pet, everyone will know it in a matter of hours, maybe minutes.
"Have you heard? The forge has a problem and is turned off for the day. The public bath will be cold." - "Oh? And me, I heard that Voitdenavel has caught a Rabia's pup! Who knows what he'll do with such a thing!"
How news spread in the world
Yevatem sadly don't have many ways to communicate with the world, and important news are slow to spread world-wide. Most of the communication will be made via merchants: Nomadic caravans will trade rare news for some food, water, or a place to sleep for a night, and neighbor communities will tell what they heard during large trades as well. Some rare nomadic Yevatem chose to walk from city to city to gather and spread world-wide news, but they're rare, as it's a risky job. Another way is by using birds, but birds owner aren't so common, especially in small communities.
Inside a community, news spread pretty fast and through rumors and talks. When the cook has prepared a meal for the community and everyone joins, for example, Yevatem will talk about everything; and if your new ring has been stolen by the neighbor's pet, everyone will know it in a matter of hours, maybe minutes.
"Have you heard? The forge has a problem and is turned off for the day. The public bath will be cold." - "Oh? And me, I heard that Voitdenavel has caught a Rabia's pup! Who knows what he'll do with such a thing!"
How news spread in the world
Yevatem sadly don't have many ways to communicate with the world, and important news are slow to spread world-wide. Most of the communication will be made via merchants: Nomadic caravans will trade rare news for some food, water, or a place to sleep for a night, and neighbor communities will tell what they heard during large trades as well. Some rare nomadic Yevatem chose to walk from city to city to gather and spread world-wide news, but they're rare, as it's a risky job. Another way is by using birds, but birds owner aren't so common, especially in small communities.
More...
The full Yevat culture is also defined by:
- Their symbols and language
- Their society
- Their life events
- Their pantheon
- Their system of justice
- The way they take care of children
- The most popular jobs they practice
- Their powers and abilities
- Their medicine and healers
Check these pages to know everything about a Yevat living on Bothea!
- Their symbols and language
- Their society
- Their life events
- Their pantheon
- Their system of justice
- The way they take care of children
- The most popular jobs they practice
- Their powers and abilities
- Their medicine and healers
Check these pages to know everything about a Yevat living on Bothea!