Aiata

The Aiata people are native to the Elebih peninsula and colonies on Lissimo. Once a client of the Sheven Empire, the Aiata were freed in the 29th century with the collapse of the empire and established their own nation. Today, they are a prosperous people with a great love of the sea.

Culture

Common Dress code

The dress of the Aiata is derived from that of the Sheven people, having been influenced during the long subjugation of their culture. Both men and women wear a fabric wrap. A long, rectangular piece of fabric is wrapped around the legs, then folded and tied using the excess material.¹ A belt for men or a sash for women is then wrapped around the waist. In formal company, wraps of more expensive and colourful material are worn. Women wear a simple sleeveless shirt, which is slipped on over the head. Men may wear a similar garment in formal company.

Ideals

Courtship Ideals

The Aiata hold great importance for love in their culture. It is seen by many Aiata as the purpose of living. They worship the The Four Wishes, calling them simply the Four, and Xewkan as Cina Ang. Aiata have few taboos around love, as they see the expression of it as the spirit of their gods walking among them.
The intent to court someone formally is traditionally declared at the temple of once of these gods, and may involve several parties of any gender. Generally, the formal intention is only spoken after the parties have known each other for several weeks. A priest witnesses this intention and writes their names within a scroll, which is burnt - which is said to send it to the gods.
The formal binding of a relationship takes place in the Akan Iwa, when the parties have committed to live together.

Relationship Ideals

Under the Sheven, the Aiata were forced for many centuries to practice marriage between only man and women. Though they largely skirted these practices with resentment. Upon their freedom, the Aiata generally reverted to their traditional methods. Neither part of a relationship holds any claim to the others property, even if they are bound in the Akan Iwa - the Aiata equivalent of marriage. Both men and women hold equal property rights. Relationships may include up to six people, though there is no taboo against more it is uncommon. Relationship groups blessed by the ceremony of Akan Iwa are called an Iwa. The parentage of a child is generally written given as of all the men in a relationship at conception, with each having equal claim to fatherhood.

Major organizations

Most Aiata live within the Seventh Republic of Elebih, a democratic state with an elected leader, divided into a number of provinces. A small number are found abroad in other kingdoms. The Ar Pentin family, once the rulers of the Aiata before the Sheven came, are honoured as the Princes of the Aiata, with their family granted many informal honours but no legal rights.

Footnotes

^{1. Very similar to a Sarong in style and method of wear.}