Janaga

Cats of the East

From the unapproachable eastern jungles, regal and roaring, the Janaga stand proudly over their dominion. Known for their knack for trade and business, they hold one of the wealthiest kingdoms in all of Reliah, and with money comes power.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Tall and limber, Janaga come in a variety of colors and patterns. They all, however, have sharp fangs and claws in addition to a long tail.

Growth Rate & Stages

Janaga begin life as a very small cub but can walk by the end of a day, and speak within a month. Any pattern their fur may have will begin to grow in during adolescence and set in fully once they are mature at ten years.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Janaga are obligate carnivores and require a diet consisting of only meats or fish.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Janaga have keen smell and excellent sight in regards to movement, although they lack deep peripheral vision.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

The Janaga use two names. One is called a good name. This name is used for formalities or for legal purposes. The other name is called the call name. This name is what friends and family call the Janagana. Middle names are also very common among Janagana.
So, for example, a cub is born and named Abani. As he grows older his family begins to call him Felu. His middle name is Pitam and his family's name is Bagchi. So on legal papers, he would be called Abani Pitam Bagchi, and his friends would call him Felu Bagchi.

Beauty Ideals

Whether it be in pattern or color, for a Janaga to be considered beautiful it is all in the fur. The more rare colors and patterns are prized over the common. Almost universally, lighter colors are prized over darker, and stripes are more desirable than spots. If a male's fur is not enough to entice a woman, he may wear his wealth on his person to flaunt his success. Females who are not gifted with beautiful fur often take up some form of performance or craft to entice would-be suitors with skill alone.

Gender Ideals

It is believed in Janaga culture that males are the ones who should run society and commence while the females better themselves with the arts. It is expected of females to do as they are told by their elders and any male superior to them. Males, on the other hand, are granted the freedom to do as they see fit.

Courtship Ideals

A male Janaga can ask for any eligible woman's hand but must speak with her father. If the father is deceased, he must speak to an uncle. If there is no suitable male to speak to only then, he may speak with the woman directly. The male is evaluated and if accepted, must pay a dowry to the female's family. The dowry is often negotiable in amount and is not always paid in coin. Once the dowry is paid the family has until the end of the marriage ceremony to give the dowry back or the marriage is finalized. Once the marriage is finalized the male and female cannot remarry until the other dies.

Relationship Ideals

A male Janaga is only allowed one wife, however wealthy males are allowed as many concubines as he can afford to care for. While it is common for these wealthy males to have many concubines, they can not inherit any of his possessions or land and cannot speak for him, all privileges that his wife has under specific conditions. Cubs born form concubines can be made into inheritors by the male but are outranked in the line of succession by cuds he has with his wife regardless of age.
Once married, a female is allowed to participate in commerce and some, but not all, levels of politics. Additionally, if a male dies without sons his widow takes control of his lands and possessions without losing any of her privileges.

Common Etiquette Rules

It is common courtesy among Janaga to treat guests with the same level of respect they treat the male of the house. The Janaga have the utmost respect for intellectually minded people and masters of the arts. Additionally, Janaga universally loath breaking business agreements.

Common Dress Code

Among the majority of Janaga, clothes are more of a suggestion. Most wear only what is practical in their everyday lives. The wealth, however, will wear as much of their wealth as they see fit. Warriors will commonly own a vest or sash for the purpose of pinning medals earned from years of service. Jagana in other lands often wear clothes similar to the civilized folk they are most near as to appear presentable for commerce.

Common Taboos

Jagana society forbids concubines from removing their veil while in the presence of her master's wife even her master ordered it so.

Lifespan

60 years

Average Height

6'1"

Average Weight

220 lbs

Average Physique

Athletic or Muscular