The Tribes of the Prioni
The people who occupy the wilds of The Prioni mountain range are commonly known simply as the Tribes of the Prioni. Even, occasionally, the Prioni Tribes. Technically, they are within the borders of the province of Dyodia, and thus under the governance of Eileithyia Ursanaa. However, they largely keep to themselves, and are allowed to exist in such a manner that they are essentially self-governed. This is tolerated because, despite their intimidating reputation, they are valued as protectors of humanity against what lay beyond the mountain range, in The Lost Lands.
Culture
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
The Tribes of the Prioni are, like the Ursanaas, a Matriarchal society. Unlike the Ursanaas and other Dyodians, however, there is only one social strata, considered Citizens by other Nemeans.
Recent years have seen them allow two students from The Athenaeum to live with them and observe their culture. This has greatly contributed to our knowledge of their customs, but it did come from great personal effort on the part of the students. The tribal groups with which they stayed required them to participate in feats of strength and agility, to earn their place, however temporary, within the tribe. It is my understanding that some of these trials were quite dangerous. Essentially, the tribe included the students with a class of prospective husbands who were applying to join the specific tribe as members.
Recent years have seen them allow two students from The Athenaeum to live with them and observe their culture. This has greatly contributed to our knowledge of their customs, but it did come from great personal effort on the part of the students. The tribal groups with which they stayed required them to participate in feats of strength and agility, to earn their place, however temporary, within the tribe. It is my understanding that some of these trials were quite dangerous. Essentially, the tribe included the students with a class of prospective husbands who were applying to join the specific tribe as members.
Coming of Age Rites
According to our students, the Prioni Tribes do not practice marriage and monogamy in the same way as those sealed by The Divine Duality. Instead, each tribe functions as a single family unit, in which any person of reproductive age may mate with any other. Once non-female children reach reproductive maturity, they seek another family, another tribe, to join, and apply for acceptance. Who is accepted as husband, and who is of "reproductive age" is established by the matriarch of each tribe. Anyone who is female, or will not mate, may stay with their tribe of origin.
While there is a subjective decision to be made by the Matriarch, and it is ultimately her prerogative as to who joins her tribe, there are two influential aspects to the husband application. First, is haggling that inevitably happens between the Matriarchs of different tribes, and second is the set of physical trials they are put through. They vary, but may include fire-walking, mountain running, timber throwing, and lion-wrangling. Each Matriarch seems to have her favorite.
While there is a subjective decision to be made by the Matriarch, and it is ultimately her prerogative as to who joins her tribe, there are two influential aspects to the husband application. First, is haggling that inevitably happens between the Matriarchs of different tribes, and second is the set of physical trials they are put through. They vary, but may include fire-walking, mountain running, timber throwing, and lion-wrangling. Each Matriarch seems to have her favorite.
Funerary and Memorial customs
Upon death, the Prioni Tribes burn the body of the deceased, and eventually collect and throw their ashes into a nearby body of water. The reason for this custom is unknown. Perhaps it is simply more practical for a people living in thick forests and on rocky land.
by Daniel J. Schwarz; edited by jayseaboom
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