Agrazhim

The northwestern slopes of the Dalanyan Mountains are inhabited by the Agrazhim. The Agrazhim are clearly a Numec people and their language is closely related to that spoken by both the Turazim and the desert nomads. Unlike either of these two, they are a settled people living in in small villages scattered throughout the mountains and valleys. Their economy is mostly simple, somewhat above subsistence level agriculture specializing in grains suitable for a relatively dry climate and goat and cattle herding. Scattered throughout the region are centers of denser population which support groups of artisans and a priestly class. These 'towns', though they are mostly very small, under 100 people, are centers of trade and meeting places for the farmers.

The Agrazhim are a peaceful people and few are inclined to the life of the soldier or warrior. The fierceness of the neighboring Turazim means that all villages are able to field a simple militia, but these are rarely trained at all and mostly consist of a ragtag bunch of goatherds and farmers carrying spears. More often than not the Agrazhim have avoided the depredations of the Turazim by bribing one deshtah to protect them from another, and mostly this keeps the villages safe. Even with the introduction of Ziryabism and its class of warriors, few Agrazhim seem to end up in the path of the warrior.

The Agrazhim have always worshipped the same deity as the Turazim, Kayberath the Great Judge. As the Turazim, the Agrazhim believe that at death each soul must pass before Kayberath and be Judged. Traditional belief held that unworthy souls were reincarnated while the select few were chosen by Kayberath to be her companions. With the advent of Ziryabism most Agrazhim believe that Kayberath is the arbiter as to whether a soul has developed sufficiently to pass on to the Light and salvation or must return to the world through reincarnation. This relatively seamless mixture of Ziryabism and their traditional faith has allowed the Agrazhim to accept the new religion while giving up little of their old customs.

Key to Agrazhim belief is the conviction that Kayberath appreciates artistry of all sorts. The Agrazhim tend to be master craftsmen and honor the skilled artisan above all else. For a relatively simple people they have a rich tradition of woodwork, sculpture, music, tattooing, and weaving. Even Agrazhim metal work is well-respected, though they are not noted for weaponsmithing. Agrazhim-produced goods are appreciated by most Venarian peoples and Agrazhim musicians are respected everywhere.

Agrazhim history has been mostly fairly peaceful. For as long as their cultural memory extends they have lived on the slopes of Dalanya, tending their flocks and fields and practicing their crafts. The warlike Turazim are mostly controlled by bribery and the neighboring lowlanders are trading partners or occasionally overlords. Agrazhim society has little central organization and so is truly incapable of resisting any serious outside threat, and so most conquests by outsiders have been relatively bloodless. When the Azeryani conquered Dalanya the Agrazhim mostly perceived this as a good thing. Azeryani markets were opened by the conquest and more Agrazhim were able to support themselves purely through practicing crafts. True, the Azeryani did demand fairly high taxes and some Agrazhim were relocated to other parts of the empire, but the overall economy of the Agrazhim improved. When the lowland peoples revolted and threw off Azeryani rule, the Agrazhim hardly noticed, except for a slight drop in trade.

Agrazhim self-perception is centered around the family and clan. Clans are patrilocal, though not strictly so, and descent is figured patrilineally. Marriages are monogamous and normally lifelong. Most Agrazhim can recite a family and clan geneology back to five or six generations and noteworthy artisans will figure prominently. Marriages are usually arranged by both sets of parents and both families donate equally to provide for the new household. The new couple normally will live near to the husband's family and are considered part of his clan and family. Children are taught the necessary skills to be farmers and herders and all are encouraged to learn various crafts. Agrazhim believe strongly that talent in a craft is a gift from Kayberath and that part of the path to perfection is discovering one's talents. Consequently parents rarely push their children towards particular crafts or professions but allow them to experiment.

Master craftsmen take on apprentices but in a much less formal sense than is normally associated with the term. 'Apprentices' stay for as long as they see fit and learn as much as they please. Most are just dabblers, searching for their 'chosen' craft though when an apprentice discovers the craft which suits him he stays until he feels he has learned all that he can.. He might then apprentice himself to another master or he might continue his study on his own. The whole process of learning a craft is very freeform and open ended.

As far as general subsistence chores go the Agrazhim practice strict division of labor. Men tend the flocks, women tend the fields and both are equally responsible for childcare. Non-subsistence activities however are open to anyone regardless of sex. Cooking is considered an art form and so is open to either men or women. Typically the family cook will be enthusiastic and quite good. Noteworthy cooks will regularly hold banquets, the raw materials for which supplied by the guests, for large numbers of the local tribesmen.

Agrazhim society is essentially illiterate and only a very few are capable of reading. Those who can read are equally likely to use Lakise, the Azeryani script, as they are to use Hekori, the traditional Numer script.

Most utensils and tools are well made, elegant in their functionality, yet nicely ornamented and decorated as well. While not a wealthy people the Agrazhim live in a richer environment than most peoples at their technological level, simply because of their love of artistry.

July 16, 2001

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