Nangwa

Nangwa are a people living in a large city state located on the surface of the Emerald Sea. They are said to have migrated from Catai to escape from the constant civil wars, and would as they traveled across the sea, discover the ruins of some strange ocean city. They would see this as a blessing of Ivlena, and as such build their grand city on these ruins. Thanks to their location they have effectively made themselves a great competitor when it comes to Orlien trade, and as of recently Grand Catai to absorb nangwa into their empire, or conquer it if they refuse. The city is known as The City of a Thousand Smiles, or The City of Sailors, as many sailors across the world make their home in this beautiful city state, thus diversifying the city even further. It is a massive melting pot of different cultures and customs.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Vipada, Kanya, Duang-Prapha, Talap, Dok-Rak

Masculine names

Siam, Dorn, Tharit, Panat, Pawit, Sarut

Family names

Nangwa family name system is different then most other nations, as during the formation of the city every nangwa family had to choose a family name, BUT it had to be a unique one and not repeated. At first this wasn't too much of a problem, but overtime it has spiraled and thus most last names are nearly impossible to pronounce by foreigners without some practice. Nangwa people also rarely use their family name, with it being possible to be best friends with a nangwa resident and go on for years before ever even hearing their family name.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Nangwanese people speak a sort of hybridized version of Cataian known as Ivleng, in honor of the sea goddess. However common is required to be taught to help with foreign trade and tourism.

Culture and cultural heritage

Nangwa life is quite like a sailors life, superstitious and practical. Due to being a large trade city state, sailing is the most common profession in nangwa. Spiritual by nature, the nangwanese people are hardy and communal, and are used to living in tight proximity with one another. They are also a rather happy people, a rarity in this blighted world, though most of this happiness is a defensive measure from the absolutely painful hardships of living in the ocean. They are sometimes referred to as The City of a Thousand Smiles, and this si due to the nature of how open the city is to foreigners, and more importantly, foreign trade. The skill of bartering can make or break someone's life, and so bartering is considered the mark of a civilized individual. Other massive points of nangwa society are respect, and self control.

Common Dress code

Nangwa are modest when it comes to clothing, and while clothing is commonly incredibly nice, it is always traditional to cover ones shoulders and ankles, especially when going to temples. However the younger nangwanese residents have gotten used to foreigners dress codes, and sometimes take on styles that imitate foreign dress styles, much to the annoyance of their elders. Other then that, nangwa dress code is highly influenced by Al-Hinoso and Cataian society. Traditional nangwa dress is made for both men and women and is considered incredibly beautiful to residents and outsiders alike.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Nangwa worship Ivlena, the Elven Goddess of the Sea. This is for practical reasons as they live in their ocean homes, and so giving praise to the Cruel Mistress of the sea to spare their homes is an entirely necessary and wise move. However Tarkanism is another popular religion in Nangwa, having moved to the city since ancient cataian sailors would make a home in the city of sailors. Nangwa has no state religion, so these two religions get along fairly well with one another.

Ideals

Gender Ideals

Nangwa are an egalitarian people.

Courtship Ideals

Marrying for political reasons, is practically unheard of in Nangwa, as the ideals of love and romance run far greater then temporary wealth. Marriage customs follow similar lines to other nations, however a key difference are that instead of one of the lovers asking the parents of their partner for their hand in marriage, instead a close relative does so in a formal meeting between the relative and the parents.