Bazir
The Bazir are a human population that have occupied the Arid for thousands of years. There is evidence to suggest that they are the oldest human ethnicity on the continent, based on Dwarvish records indicating the Bazir were traded with during the first age. Traditionally, the Bazir were nomadic tribesmen, but in recent centuries have built many stationary communities in Amazwe and Zawal.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Ahassunu, Babati, Heana, Lamusa, Zuzu
Masculine names
Manatum, Eshargamelat, Ummi, Liwwir, Nin-dada
Unisex names
Aljari, Inamo, Ftaru, Ba-zanu, Likkwi, Bibaru
Family names
Bazir family names come from a now-extinct pantheon, if indeed it is not entirely fictitious. There are twenty tribes of Bazir. The 'surname' of an individual comes from the tribal name, the place of birth, and the most recently full moon at time of birth. For instance, a Linral tribesman from Glory born under the full plane of water would have the surname Linral-nol-Glory-fin-Titanus. For informal use, simply the planar name is used.
Other names
Bazir nicknames are often given based on childhood personalities. They don't often translate well into common, but close examples would be Smiler, Bubble, Angry, Quiet.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
The Bazir language is Ztuna, which is closely related to Byr. Most Bazir tribes sound slightly different in dialect, but this is most often an aesthetic choice the tribesmen use to distinguish themselves quickly. The Kaluna, for instance, emphasize long a sounds differently than other Ztuna speakers, while the Linral add an r sound to words that end in vowels.
Shared customary codes and values
Bazir, as with all races of The Arid, are more than willing to throw aside all custom and tradition in the name of survival. Unlike the Amazweans or Dunnites, however, the Bazir have adopted a code of hospitality, reasoning that having more friends means better likelihood of survival. Bazir are the first to share their wealth in times of excess, and tend to only accept help when completely needed. All Bazir carry a dagger with them, and it is common knowledge at least in the Arid that one can always turn to a Bazir for help if in danger.
Common Etiquette rules
Bazir believe in strong communities, and this has influenced their culture more than anything. It is polite to greet each person in a room individually. Bazir always wash their hands before eating, usually by scrubbing them with sand. Bazir do not bow, as it is considered a sign of disrespect.
Common Dress code
Bazir wear white head coverings that leave only the eyes exposed when out of doors and wrap their hands in white cloth. Sand goggles are very popular. Clothing tends to be bright and tight-fitting, which purples and reds most prevalent but all colors represented. When traveling, Bazir tend to favor dark clothes and long tan cloaks.
Art & Architecture
Bazir villages are usually constructed of Arid Glass, a very hard brick made by compressing sand. The glass is found not only in buildings, but in statues and other art as well. Paintings are common, and Bazir artists are famed for the realistic 'changing landscape' style.
Coming of Age Rites
When a Bazir believes themselves to be ready to be considered an adult, they are. The occasion is celebrated among the immediate family, and the person is gifted a dagger.
Funerary and Memorial customs
The Bazir stand long vigil over their dead around a nighttime fire and bury the dead in the morning. From the time of death to time of burial, the family and friends of the deceased fast. Bazir are buried with their favorite possessions. Millenia of dealing with grave robbers has led to the custom of unmarked graves. Bazir often create a piece of jewelry to remember fallen loved ones by, worn every day. Some Bazir have necklaces, bracelets, or even earrings for this sole purpose, adding new pieces to it each time someone is lost.
Common Taboos
Bazir shun those who refuse to help others, and speaking ill of the dead is considered bad luck at best and blasphemous at worst.
Common Myths and Legends
The Nine and Ninety Tales is a collection of stories the Bazir claim tells their history. It was only collected as a book about a century past and has become popular within the Empire, and some playwrights have turned the more famous stories into dramatic adventure plays.
Historical figures
The only character from the Nine and Ninety Tales that is confirmed to have existed is Babli Kaluna-nol-Kzi-fin-Predicae, popularly called the King of Thieves, and who many believe founded the Iron Shadow.
The warrior Sunil Barghzi-li-Hynbu-fin-Verdantum led the Bazir during the Sylvan War, gaining fame during the Battle of Falling Skies when his armies toppled the Sky Pyramid of Kzi and drove the Sand Elves from what is now Zawal.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
The Bazir prize uniqueness and bright colors among all else. Brightly colored tattoos and hair dyes are popular, as is feather jewelry.
Gender Ideals
The Bazir believe that souls are either male or female, but that it doesn't actually matter in the grand scheme of things. Bazir stories often feature a man and a woman working together to overcome an obstacle.
Courtship Ideals
A Bazir seeking romantic attention will adorn their head coverings with painted clips. It is common to use the favorite color of the intended partner, leading to the phrase 'asking about a certain dye' being a common way of saying someone has a crush.
Relationship Ideals
The Bazir are strong believers in marriage for life. 'One soul in two parts' is used to describe a good marriage. Both partners, it is believed, should have an equal say in all things. Bazir myth holds that lovers have two halves of the same soul, reincarnated in two parts.
Encompassed species
Related Organizations
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