Jia

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Shiu To- (Shi Script) Humans. Official language of Jia. Namebase as Sino.

Average technological level

The Jia were some of the earliest people to harness steam power but their reluctance to embrace it and evolve beyond their traditional ways has kept them only on the edge of industry.       Though they have not allowed electricity to reshape their society the Jia have made great advancements elsewhere. One of these areas is their metalworking techniques. They have a rich supply of adamantine with which they make famously light and durable shields and armour. These adamantine mines are what drew the colonial wrath of Aulette.      The shields of the Jia are famously beautiful and strong. They are able to avert even the bullets of the Aulan guns.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Hair: Men are found to wear queues or similar styles revealing large portions of the forehead. Braiding is popular for men and women and the intricacy of the braiding is considered of great skill and beauty. Many of the braiding patterns of have been replicated outside of Jia, particularly by the occupying Aulans but their detailed techniques have not been truly mastered by any outsider.
Clothing: The wardrobes of the Jia are very traditional and very modest. Aside from ceremonial garments Jia clothes generally consist of a single robe of thin, breathable material and perhaps a belt. The colours of the robes are stunning and most will be of only one intense hue. The Aulans have imposed their own fashion on to the Jia but these robes remain in opposition to the occupying army and culture.

Gender Ideals

Jia gender roles are strict honoured tradition that have greatly shaped their culture and firmly reject any contradiction to their perceived binary. Jia men are associated with tasks and roles involving stoicism and studiousness while women are thought of as more passionate and personable. Matters of political debate or other speaking roles are filled near exclusively by women as they are though of as eloquent and honest. Jobs associated with men often have to with sorting, organization, and other tasks of dry importance. Men and women both hold prominent but distinct roles in love and war. Women are barely present in the earliest years of a child's life apart from feeding. Babies are considered sort of unstable and volatile in their raw needs so they are left to the stern and utilitarian father. When children reach puberty, the role of the mother as a teacher becomes more important. They are expected to discuss questions of philosophy, faith, and being. On the battlefield women fill roles of frontline warriors, berserk and unyielding while men are less dauntless in the face of battle. Jia men are relegated more often to operating machinery, healing, and maintaining more defensive positions.