Ishari
Children of Ishtar and the Empire of Ancient Days
Precious little is known of the Ishtar Empire, but some supposedly know more than others. It is said that the Ishari people are some of the truest descendants of the Ishtar Empire, in where the man known as Samarba, was said to be the sole survivor of the empires people in Carall. He would travel for some time in a state of mourning, lamenting the people that were lost when suddenly a brilliant flash of light shone before him. What he at first thought to be but a desert mirage, turned out to be the weakened but not dead forms of the Gods and Goddesses of his people. Ishtar came down before him and would have him do battle with a celestial lion, in an epic battle that saw Samarba wrestle the great lion with his bare hands. Finding this specimen worthy, Ishtar would declare him to lead a new people to keep to the faith, and preserve their ancient ways. After converting a few local nomad tribes to the old faith, Ishtar would claim him as her mate and consort, but not before whispering in the ears of the new believers that should they ever waver in their worship, untold destruction would befall the world. They then left, and the newly made Ishari have existed to this day, wandering the world and keeping to their faith, lest ruin befall the world.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
The Ishari, while mainly speaking Tajiran, also have their own native tongue known as Ishka, which is sometimes used in ancient tomes from the fallen Ishtar Empire
Culture and cultural heritage
A closeness to family no matter how far away one may be is paramount to the Ishari. It is common for one to hold keepsakes of their family if they ever need to travel far away for whatever reason, as well as a keepsake from their birthplace (typically a small vial of sand or the ground) to remind them of what they will always be able to come back to within time. Due to being semi-nomadic, traveling is considered a strong part of Ishari culture, with it being custom to go on pilgrimage around the world seeking spiritual enlightenment.
The religion encompassing the Ishalites is a polytheistic religion based supposedly on the gods of the Undreamed Age. It is typically represented in both a candle holder known as a Menrah, or a six pointed star. The gods are as follows:
- Ishtar, one of the most popular deities in the pantheon, she is the Goddess of Fertility and War, and supposedly a god in the ancient Ishtar Empire, also the Queen of the Heavens
- Ankala: God King of the Night Sky and Civilization
- Belaba: Goddess of magic and mysticism
- Ashkara: God of Wind and creator of mortals, sometimes depicted as a glittering peacock
- Nerbalg: Guide into the Afterlife and secondary god of war (more symbolizing the death aspect of war than Ishtar, who represents combat and the cycle of giving more souls into war)
- Samarba: Venerated mortal man who helped found the Ishari way of life, and is believed to have ascended into godhood as a patron deity of the people, he is also the mate of Ishtar according to the legends, making him a minor fertility god.
Common Dress code
Most clothing is of a similar style to Tajiran clothing styles, for it is the practical way to live within the blazing desert of Carall. However the clothing of Ishari typically is colorful and bright the more wealthy the person is, as means of showing their social status off to others.
Art & Architecture
Due to being a semi nomadic group, the only widely known example of Ishari architecture can be seen in some buildings in Zinostan
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
Hospitality is something that the Ishari have picked up from the Tajiran Desert Nomads, and so the Ishari also hold hospitality and respect as an incredible important aspect of life.
Birth & Baptismal Rites
Typically, submerging a child in water for a brief amount of time is a way of cleansing the body and keeping it protected from harmful spirits.
Coming of Age Rites
The First Pilgrimage is considered an important part of Ishari life, in where one must travel out of their home for no less than a week. Successfully returning to the family's home is when one is considered an adult. Though this ritual is somewhat dangerous due to the treacherous lands of Carall, it is still a highly sacred part of the Ishari way of life
Funerary and Memorial customs
With a great respect for the dead, most burials are to take place no more than 2 days after death. The body is washed and wrapped in a cotton shroud, and it should be noted that the clothes a Ishari is buried in a kept plain regardless of social status, to emphasize the equalizing nature of death. After the preparations, the body is buried in a ceremony, and afterwards family typically spends 3 days together both mourning and celebrating the memories they have of the recently deceased.
Ideals
Gender Ideals
The Ishari are an egalitarian people
Courtship Ideals
Marriages are typically arranged as the merging of two families is considered an important occasion, however the the people being married typically know each other (when a marriage is arranged a period of getting to know their partner is custom, which can last for at the minimum 3 months) and are allowed some say in the matter. The marriage ceremony itself is a wondrously colorful and musical affair, with both families dressing the two in fine clothing to display wealth, and a priest oversees the ceremonies. Husbands make bridal payments and wives pay a dowry, and in the case of a divorce with no good reason, one must pay the other.
Major organizations
Though largely scattered across the world, larger concentrations can be found in Carall, and specifically the city state of Zinostan.
