Social Organization

Overall organization and structure of the culture.

Overview

The Zuberi are do not have a strict social structure, there is a respect for everyone’s place with in the culture. Nobles claim no special treatment, nor look down on another. Only perhaps in the arrangements of marriage are such things considered, but a long lasting union is more important then social relation. There is perhaps some slight cultural barriers between the Shaula and the Jabbah but the bonds of common courtesy resolve them quickly.

Were a daughter of a noble house to be “stolen” by one of the Jabbah, the Shaula family would hunt the man down without rest. But when finally found, were the daughter to proclaim her happiness with her new husband, the Shaula family would find a way to make everything right between the two now connected groups. Otherwise he would be quickly slain.

The primary facet of Zuberi culture which is non-negotiable is breaking hospitality or grave insult.

Leadership and Nobility

While the Jabbah and Shaula nobility and leadership are a bit different, all are loyal to the Priest King or Sultan and recognize his authority. In order to claim membership of one of the groups listed below, you must either form a one as a guild or join an existing one that is already set up as a guild. In order to claim a title listed below you must be the leader of an appropriate guild that has been approved.

Otherwise you would be seen as a member of a little known house or oasis but not as one of the more notable ones, nor would you have one of the listed titles of authority. As stated before nobles do not look down on others or request special treatment, though they are often given respect due to their notable ancestry and heritage, especially since family is so important among the Zuberi and they have well established and powerful family ties.

(Note that Gladiator Guilds may also be considered and would be formed either under the Jabbah or as part of an Adventurers Guild.)

Priest King or Sultan

This role is assigned by a vote of the entire Zuberi community and approved by staff. A Priest King rules, but if there is not a current Priest King then a Sultan can be named to rule until a Priest King is found or comes of age by the combined votes of the leaders of each of the orders.

Titles

Titles of Nobility : Bey and bayana were used for nobility beyond the sultan and sultana. They roughly mean lord and lady respectively. The sultan may elevate someone of lower class to that of noble by grant of land and public notification of their new title bestowed by the sultan. Only members of established “Noble” guilds bear these titles.

Generic Titles of Address: The terms Jadir and Jadira are used more commonly when the nobility of the person is not known, or simply to show respect to one of any lineage.

Titles of the harem: Harem simply means women's quarters. Ilka-kadin is the first wife, Ikinci-kadin is second wife, Ucuncu-kadin is third wife and Dorduncu-kadin is fourth wife.

Yenicer'i: the Imperial Guard, when a member of this intensely loyal group retires, he receives a handsome purse, land and a small stipend for life.

Bekci(m): the harem guard, well trained bodyguards and professional soldiers. The scimitar is their preferred weapon for interior duty, spear/trident for gate guard.

Jabbah

The Jabbah way of life appears to the Ajami to be a chaotic mixture of the storm and of peace and contentment.  Life in the cities and towns of the Jabbah are busy and hectic with trade in all kinds of merchandise.  Heckling and haggling in the marketplaces are more than just business to the Jabbah, they are often a source of entertainment with the goal of finding and securing the best “bargain” of utmost importance in the game of shopping.  The chaos of the gladiator fights and gambling are yet another part of the storm of energy and excitement that swirls constantly throughout the Jabbah lands.  Yet to meet a Jabbah and to be a guest in their homes, their way of life seems calm, relaxed, and well paced.  They enjoy their quiet, peace, and privacy as much as they do the chaos of the rest of life.

Among the Jabbah, the Priest King and the Sultan reign supreme.  Yet it is to the Grand Vizier to which they turn for justice when matters go beyond what families can resolve simply among themselves.  Family is of utmost importance as is honor and if a matter can be resolved simply through negotiations and barter among the families of the parties involved in a dispute they will do so long before considering taking it to anyone else.

Shaula

Unity in diversity; diversity in unity.  The Shaula tribes range across the length and breadth of the deserts and oases of Zuben.  Yet they have a fundamental unity of tradition and custom which binds them together.  These traditions are not written in stone, immutable and unchangeable.  Rather they flow like water throughout Shaula life, expanding and evolving so as to guide the tribes in the ways of the desert. Not so much 'you will not...' or 'it is written', but instead 'this is the way it is done'.  The main question that this raises is how the traditions are understood to apply to new and specific situations.  Any tribe that can support one will have its bard to tell stories of how and why things have been done in the past so that it might be applied to the present. 

However there may be instances where there are larger disagreements, or where the Shaula need to make a collective decision on something that concerns them all as a race; whether internally, or in relation to another people or group.  This is the purpose of the gathering of the tribes. 

Headed by the Lore Keeper, the tribes meet, sometimes regularly and sometimes not for many years… the Lore Keeper calls the meeting when it is needed.  Matters are discussed, traditions are interpreted, and issues are resolved. The guiding principles are hospitality and politeness; this is not the place for accusations but for understanding.  Matters may often be settled over meals; sometimes without actually mentioning the issue by name at all...  When a 'decision' has been reached, the Lore Keeper will explain how the traditions apply to the situations; and thus the unity continues. If matters need to be taken further, the voice of the Shaula to all of Zuben is the Clan Leader.

Table of Contents

Home Page
Cheat Sheet
Fiction Facts
Terms
Time Line
Updates

Character

Clothing
Common Trades
Food
Occupations
Personality
Physical Description

Kingdom

Animals
Crafts
Geography
Government
Homes
Hostiles
Imports/Exports
Language
Other Kingdoms
Resources
Town

Culture

Art & Literature
Combat & War
Drugs & Gambling
Family
Hospitality
Life to Death
Slavery
Traditions

Religion

God
Holidays
Prayers
Relationship
Rituals
Tile Throwing
Worship

Social

Criminals/Outcasts
Interaction
Laws/Enforcement
Politics
Social Orders
Social Organization

Histories, Stories and Disertations

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