Layikanian Culture of Fire

"Tongejo nebejainze dahuni." "Stranger whom I welcome into the realm of the sun.-

You may have already noticed that it can be very hot here on Layida and, in some areas, very humid. You'll see lots of volcanoes, deserts and geysers. Not a place where life could pulsate or where strangers would like to travel. This delayed our spread across the continent. A culture developed that was only slightly influenced from outside and hardly differs from one another in the individual countries.

Layidian Ethnicity by Blue Fairy 74 - Midjourney-Collage

The society

Only women are capable of practicing fire magic. Therefore, a matriarchy was able to develop on Layida, which has control in all Layid lands either as queens, priestesses of the Safambi Order or employees of the Ministry of Fire Watchers.

The training of women in fire magic is undertaken by the Flames of Wisdom, whose philosophy is closely linked to the matriarchy.

Men are not able to enter into a successful Spark symbiosis with a sparkling animal because, for genetic reasons, they do not have enough fire marks. They had tried again and again to find appropriate ways for spark enhancers, but so far they had been successfully stopped by the female-led organizations.

However, men are not second class firewalkers. On Layida they take care of the farm or household, the children and teach simple fighting techniques and Layid humanities at the fire magic academies or other educational institutions.

Layikani are very friendly and open towards strangers, which is certainly due to the fact that travelers from other continents rely on protective suits and Layida travel much less than other continents.
As a result, the Layikani never had to fear major attempts at conquest from outside. In the history of Layida, conflicts and acts of war only occurred on the continent itself.
The only area more heavily frequented by foreign visitors and non-Layida residents is the region around the Water Spitter Lakes in Tangisa and the colder island of Wajali. Here you can also find minor influences from foreign cultures.

Language

Layikani speak Layidayala, a syllabic language in which the penultimate syllable is stressed. Due to the lack of diphtongs, double vowels in words are spoken individually.

firewalker - layikani [la. yi. 'ka: ni]

No articles are used, but the speaker can recognize what it is from six different prefix noun classes. Particular attention should be paid to the 1st class, as everything female is described with the prefixes for singular and plural sa- and si- as well as for objects with sasi- or sisu-.

the woman - sanjali [sa. 'ŋa: li]

Naming

Since about the first millennium BEC, Layikani have had one or more first names and a surname. All names end in vowels. The matriarchal history of the continent is also reflected here, as men always take the woman's last name at weddings. Additionally, some surnames refer to descent from the mother, dating back to times before the first millennium BEC. Names such as Tikaamri or Kianiumri with the suffix -amri or -umri meant "daughter or son of" around the turn of the millennium.

Female first names

Akike - Ayuba - Banyiba - Dabalee - Jilele
Kiani - Madinka - Nayala - Ngidi - Seyami
Tamnya - Tiala - Tika - Tukwa
Tukwatiya - Yewandi

Male first names

Banyu - Bimuto - Jayadibu - Kibo - Kinja
Kinjabo - Ntando - Sandile - Talu
Ungala - Weja - Zubo

Surnames

Bozu - Isangi - Kangelu - Kianiumri - Masilela - Musandi - Nandisa
Seyamiumri- Sibanda - Tikaamri - Timnit - Ungo

Clothing & beauty ideals

Basically, Layikani are proud of their bodies and very self-confident. This does not mean that more skin is shown than in other cultures. However, the patterns, fabrics, colors and decorations used on Layikan clothing signal that women like to emphasize their position of power. The materials used are colorful. Depending on the country, patterns have different geometric shapes, preferences for certain colors or motifs. Embroidery made of shiny threads on transparent shimmering fabrics complements the clothing. Many women mainly wear pants with tunics in everyday life to make it easier to move. Dresses with elaborate shoulders are mainly worn on ceremonial occasions.

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_{Pattern, hairstyles & hats
by Blue Fairy 74}

The only flaw that some women see on themselves is the slightly protruding ears as well as the sparking tentacles and the sticky hair caused by wearing the symbiote. Over the millennia, this led to many women concealing this flaw under a variety of turbans, hat creations and elaborate hairstyles. Hat and turban workshops are common throughout Layida and are an important part of the clothing industry. There are also many magazines about updos and braids to tame the protruding hair.

by Blue Fairy 74

Believe

Layikani believe in the three-faced goddess of the sun, who is worshiped in many temples. There are also six other fire deities known as the gods of the hearth, forge and star fire as well as the temple flame, glowing love and scorched earth. Firewalkers know the Eqilateus saga about The creation of the globe, but they believe in an altered form when it comes to the creation of their continent and their species.

Olayi was the goddess of fire and the daughter of the sky god Balu and the goddess of the underworld Sijali. When her father killed Olayi's half-brother out of anger, Idaka emerged from the spilled blood in the west of the globe. In deep sadness, her mother created the island of the elements with the world tree. Olayi and her three sibling gods of the elements each sacrificed part of their bodies out of grief and so the four continents of the elements came into being.

Layida arose from the glowing heart of the goddess. But without a heart, Olayi's body gradually grew cold like solidifying lava. She was just able to escape to the edge of the continent and became one with the landscape. From it emerged the first volcanic mountain range - Balaykala and when it erupted for the first time, three fireballs were thrown into the sky. There the three united and became the sun that illuminated everything. Lava poured out of the mountains over the entire country. When it hit water, the lava combined with it and the first humanoid beings were formed - the Layikani, who were henceforth guided by the sun.

The Creation of the Layikani-

Customs, Festivals & Cuisine

Festivals and traditions are also closely linked to religion and matriarchal culture. Months and festivals in the Layidian Solar Calendar are dedicated to all gods. They are sometimes celebrated impulsively like fire. Rhythmic music produced by drums and various stringed instruments accompanies dances and songs as those at the Sun Festival or the Love Festival. Layida is the continent with the most competitions in various dance sports and songs. Even when saying goodbye to the deceased, tikitebos are an integral part of the mourning ceremony.

Diversity of vegetables, meat and grain by Blue Fairy 74 via Midjourney

Fire kitchen

Layikani eat a very healthy diet and like lean meats and fish, mainly grilled or boiled. They only use a little oil. In some areas, earth or water ovens are used for cooking.
The meat of the striped snout antelope, jiwa belters or swamp pheasants is preferred. Firewalkers also eat lots of vegetables, fruit and various grains.
Despite the preparation, the dishes do not taste bland, but are very spicy and hearty thanks to a colorful variety of spices, dried herbs and smoky aromas.

Grilled steak from the striped snout antelope by Blue Fairy 74 via Midjourney