Paukii'wae

Paukia sits in the middle of the $NAME strait, between Aeho'ai and Ophoné; the midpoint of a major trading route, her population is more diverse than is typical for Aeho'ai.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

The defacto language of Paukia is Wāu̯ian, but as with everything else about the culture, the language bears strong influences from elsewhere. Exposure to Labourers' ’işan has influenced the pronunciation, lengthening vowels and slurring words together, and added vocabulary - primarily slang, expletives, and loan words. In the western regions of the country, particularly around the free ports, the accent and frequency of loan words may be so pronounced as to be unintelligable to outsiders.

Culture and cultural heritage

Culturally, Paukii'wae have an open-minded attitude towards incomers and a tradition of resiliance and improvisation, adopting their favourite parts of new imports and assimilating them into a dazzling fusion of art, music, and food. Accordingly, while Paukii'wae culture is undeniably Aeho'aiwae at its core, its music, architecture, and use of textiles and ornamentation show strong Ophonéan influences.

Music

Paukii'wae Jazz is a blend of Aeho'aiwae musical tradition with Ophonéan form and Ewuran instrumentation. The resulting mix draws heavily on improvisation, swing rhythm, and call-response non-linguistic vocalisations. Radio broadcasts have spread the form to neghbours Kono'i and Kovarstan, and recordings - legitimate and bootleg - have spread the musical form throughout Aeho'ai and Ophoné.

Common Dress code

Although Paukia's population is barely half kana'ōnah, the species' beauty ideals still predominate. Bright colours and ostentatious ornamentation, exaggerated by Ophonéan dyes and prints, rule contemporary fashions for all species.
Long legs are considered attractive among kana'ōnah, and Paukii'wae fashion includes bangles and anklets, leg wraps, and ornately painted feet and toenails to draw attention to ankles and calf muscles. Non-kana'ōnah often either go barelegged or wear patterened stockings or tights. When worn, normal footwear is open-toed shoes or sandals, with leisurewear incorporating subtly raised heels.
All species wear jewellery that incorporates chimes or bells, and shimmering silks and silver weave cottons have largely replaced traditonal dyed barkcloth as the fabrics of choice.

Common Myths and Legends

A long-held belief maintains that Paukia is the birth- and death-place of the pan-Aeho'aiwae hero Ka'aona Kailikea. For all that Paukii'wae may court censure by indiscriminately assimilating other traditions, Ka'aona remains a cultural touchstone and ensures that the country and its people are unassailably part of Aeho'ai.

Related Organizations

• Puakia