Arakanese (Ar-Uh-Kun-ese)

Arakanese Woman by Bobkehl

"You're an Arakanese?"
"Yup. How did you know?"
"The Tattoos on your body, the way you stayed calm during the storm, it was clear to me that you spent a lot of time in the waters"
"Some could say we were even born in it. More than anything, we like the ocean and venturing out into distant lands. We want change, and change it is that we shall bring
"A Conversation between an Arakanese and Non Arakanese person

The Imperium is a vast land. Stretching entire continents, the diversity of it's inhabitants cannot be worded in simple terms. Whilst a large percentage of the Imperial population lives in Coastal Areas, the Arakanese stand out
Known for being notorious reavers and explorers in the past, the people of the Arakan Coast are a melting pot of various cultures. From the times of the Pre Imperial kingdom of Mrauk U to the present, it was the norm for the Arakanese to marry with people outside their own ethnic groups. Due to it's status as an important trade route, the Kingdom of Mrauk U and the Arakanese melted with many different cultures, including Netholian, Vadranian, Storvallian, Reltoran, the indigenous people's of the coast and what not
This has lead to the Arakanese being very acceptable and friendly of others, and having a strong system of bonding that ensures the mental wellbeing of everyone. It is not uncommon for Arakanese to be always chatting about each other's mental health, as they believe it's the most important of all topics. Likewise, this has made the Arakan Coast a centre for psychiatric and clinical psychologic research, and many famous therapists and psychiatrists have been from here
Though Xenophilic beyond belief, things have been changing. As of recent, many ethnonationalist and separatist groups have arisen, demanding that the Coast is their sole territory and birthright. Though in past times such events would be automatically suppressed, a disturbingly large amount of people have been falling for their racist, xenophobic and ethnonationalist rhetoric. Further, them having turned to militancy is a disturbing news.
Little do they know, that behind this all is a cosmic horror far beyond the comprehension of even their gods. The Arakanese must once again fight with the fury of the storms that ravage the Bay of Vadran, and they must fight hard to defend their hard won unity and diversity, lest it fall to the corruption of the Astral Horror

Naming Traditions

Family names

Arakanese family names typically indicate a quality, most often a good one. Names like Ar-Rahman, the most merciful, Al Hadeed, The Iron, De Vries ( Which indicates someone from Vriesland, a part of Arakania known for producing highly educated researchers) are common. Due to their diverse culture, Arakanese names and traditions vary widely Some common family names include

1. Ar Rahman- The most merciful
2. Al Maghrib- The Evening
3. Al Qamar- The Moon
4. Jagersma
5) Minnema
6) Huttenga
7) Thant
8) Sigridsson

Culture

Culture and cultural heritage

"The Blood of the Imperium runs in my veins. I'm Arakanese, Netholian, Sanguinian, Dasatirian, Hendish, and everything else. I am an Imperial Citizen, and I am an Arakanian"
Part of the oath that Arakanese soldiers recite before their official induction

The Arakanese are diverse, having the blood and ancestry and identification of practically every ethnic group in the Imperium. However, a few ethnicities stand out. The Arakanese are majority a mix of Vadranian, Netholian, Indigenous Arakanese and Storvallians. The Modern Day Arakanese are thus significantly different ethnically from the ones who existed in the Pre Imperial times. Most Arakanese are multilingual, Capable of speaking Arakanese ( which is mutually intelligible with Vadranian), Netholian and Inarian, thus making it so that many or the majortiy of them belong to more than one e thnic group

Shared customary codes and values

Arakan Reavers by Astri Lohne

"We're all part of the crew of the ship called Life. A billion crewmen steering the oars and wheels. Help those out who need and deserve help, try not to be obnoxious and most of all, do no harm"
Varsha Hakim, a Fleet Admiral in the Arakan navy explaining some customs to new recruits

First and foremost, the Arakanese belive in helping each other. Life on the seas was often rough and the storm lashed coastlines and cyclones necessitated the need for a culture of mutual help. The Arakanese believe in caring for the mental health and others. Oftentimes, Arakanese open up with conversations on mental health, and always try their best to heal people going through mental health issues
Secondly, Arakanese people respect each other's privacy. Though they're a very communal species, Arakanese know that for better mental health, people need solitude. It's also a major reason why other's percieve the Arakanese as aloof, feeling as if they don't want to talk much
Thirdly, Wanderlust flows through the blood of every Arakanese. From an early age, it is not uncommon for children and teens to be exploring the wildnerness. Being a coastal people, the Arakanese have been famous explorers, and have spread their number across the entire world. The Arakanese also love interethnic marriage and love, so much so that people are often pressured to marry someone who is not Arakanese, as they believe that marrying from foreign lands will increase the diversity of their people

Common Etiquette rules

Arakan Cove by Nele Diel

"Eat whatever and however you want. Just don't eat in front of someone who can't afford food. If you can't share your meal, best to just eat it outside their gaze
An Arakanese woman talking to her daughter on an Arakan custom

Arakanese etiqutte gives a lot of progressivism. Due to the oppresive heat of the region in summer, one can find people almost half naked ( including women) bathing and chilling off. Arakanese have a special penchant to nudtiy, as they believe that nudity is appreciating the form that the creator's gave them. Arakanese also believe in not hurting others, to the point that one must leave if they want to eat something and someone else who can't is near them, unless they share part of the meal.
Arakenese also heavily believe in teamwork. If someone is struggling at homework for example, An Arakanese is expected to help them out to the best of their abilities. It's also an incredibly significant taboo to be boasting and arrogant of oneself. Whilst Arakanese like healthy ego and pride that boost's someones self esteem, they abhor the kind where one person claims superiority over the other. Arakanese also believe that someone shouldn't poke their nose in other people's businesses. On the other hand, they like small talk too and talking about personal lives such as age is not often frowned upon

Common Dress code

Arakan by BobKehl

"Why don't any of you have your clothes on?"
"Because it's hot. Frankly, we can't tolerate this. Besides, most of here are partners of each other, so it adds to the steaminess

While the Imperium is liberal towards nudity, the Arakanese take it a step further. Bathing in "Cold Saunas" during the summer is often a favourite nude pasttime of families. When they do wear clohes, Arakanese prefer loose fitting and moderately revealing clothes, to help them shield against the warmth. Nudity is also a common practice during celebrations like birthday celebrations

Art & Architecture

Arakanese Settlement by Narandel

Arakanese architecture is quite simple, but very sturdy. Arakanese not only live on the surface but also have a large percentage of their population in underground cove cities. What distinguishes Arakanese architecture, is their simplicity and ubiquitousness. Arakanese homes often have a pool for fish farming and also places to grow plants. Arakanese buildings are also often decorated with totems around them, as they believe that the totems will ward off ghosts

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Arakanese Reaver by BobKehl

"Whatever happens, I'll love you till the end. I swear it by the blood of the oceans"
A Common Arakanese profession of love

Arakanese usually don't have much beauty ideals. At most, what little they have is the exclusion of discriminatory, xenophobic and toxic ideals that do harm. However, psychologically, Arakanese prefer people who want to comfort themselves and others, as they believe that relationships are carried on by the comfort and love of people. When it comes to physical beauty, Arakanese usually find lips attractive, as kissing is a very commonplace ( even more so than hugging) custo in Arakanese society. Arakanese also like people from outside their own ethnicity, as it is thought in Arakanese folklore to strengthen communities by making them global

Gender Ideals

"Look, if you want to marry me, learn how to cook first. I ain't going to lead the entire fleet and my village whilst also having to cook for you"
Ylva Sigridsson, an Arakanese woman talking to her boyfriend sarcastically

Pirates of Arakan by Bobkehl

Arakanese have little, if any gender ideals. Since time immemorial, people of all gender and sexualities have been given equity. However, there are still stereotypes. Arakanese women are characterised as extremely caring, yet violent when the situation needs it to be. Historically, women have formed the core of reaving fleets and trawling fleets , whilst men mostly farmed and took care of the children

Life as an Arakanese

When in Arakania, life as an Arakanese is easy. One has plenty of people they can relate their experience to, especially if they're of mixed ethnicity. There's also a steady stream of jobs mostly in the marine or farming sector. Though contributing only a minor part of the total Imperial economy, the Arakanese still have a high standard of living compared to most of the Imperium, Whilst also recieving aid from others. It is said that Arakanese as very easy to make friends with, and as long as one is respectful and loving, one can easily win an Arakane's heart
Outside of the Coast, things get a bit more serious. Even though the Imperium has a culture of interethnic unity, people, especially from Anglia ( who were former colonizers of the Arakanese) call them half breeds and impure people's. This wasn't much of a problem until the recent wave of interethnic and insurgent conflict in the Imperium. The Arakanese have been disproprationely target, called Half breeds and many other slurs by ethnonationalists from other groups whilst being called Traitors by their own people for wanting unity and peace