Yakutsk (Nomadic)  [Yak-ut-sk]

'Man of the Cattle.'

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They are nomadic because of their belief that plowing the earth was a sin.

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The Yakutsk depend upon their horned cattle. These animals would provide them with food, shelter, tools, and fuel for thousands of years. So sacred would these animals become that each adult man would take an ox as his twin soul and would train their horns to curve beautifully into the imitation of the man's arm.

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It is believed that the Goddess of plants and animals had taken the shape of a cow in wild fields. Instead of killing her for her meat, a Yakutsk man bribed the beast with bits of their last harvest, carrot, potato, and slices of apple. Bringing it home they would carrel it and keep the cow for future milking. Impressed with their ingenuity and kindness to the animal, Enayla, 'Beast Kin'  would create between these people and cow/oxen a special and profound relationship. So long as the men were willing to domesticate the cattle and satisfy its needs, the beasts would never leave their side.

 

Community

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The worldview of the Yakutsk is built around the herds of cattle and the prestige of a man is measured by the quantity and quality of the cattle that the man owns.

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There are both wise men and female shamans among the Yakutsk. Both preached harmony between man and nature and worshipped Enayla Eelm, Lady of Wilderness and Beasts.

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 "To survive, roving people were obliged to fight. They did not accumulate documents and archives. They lead a wandering life. But in the evenings, around fires, the wise men and shamans both would relate events and deeds of valor. Ways in which the tribes could take pride in themselves. Passing our stories on verbally."

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Gender roles are traditionally defined. Men always tend to care for cattle and were the warriors, fighting tribes in the area for cattle and land use. These traditions of warfare have diminished as Royale claims land outside of the traditional grazing areas of the Yakutsk. They have what amounts to their own small province that they are not allowed to claim outside of. As these people were traditionally nomadic, it has been difficult for a stationary Empire such as Royale to keep control of the land surrounding Yakutsk Yerkir.

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Women managed the household and make most decisions regarding the rearing of children. However, the Yakutsk realize there is no home without both men and woman. Women are essential in mediating disputes in the tribe and are used to speak to other tribes.

Marriages are made legal by the payment of cattle by the man's clan to the woman's clan, shared among various persons in the clan. Marriage takes place in stages, however. A marriage is not finalized until the bride has born at least two children. When a third child is born, the marriage is considered "tied." At this point, the wife and the children become full members of the husband's clan.

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Imperial Royalian Influence and Relations

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The relationship between the Yakutsk tribes and the Royalian government have never been amicable. Land use and land claims are a constant thorn in the side of Royale where such claims go through the Imperial Ministers and into the law courts. The Yakutsk have little loyalty to the Empire as it stands and the Empire is doing what it can to subtly undermine tribal authority and the worldview of the Yakutsk.