Culture of Zahava

Music
Music was a major part of everyday life in ancient Zahava and continues to be today. Many private and public events were accompanied by music, ranging from nightly dining parties to military parades, religious ceremonies, and funerals. For a person to be well at playing music it was believed they must have a good understanding of mathematics and knowledge as music was viewed as a manifestation of the cosmic order.

Some of the instruments used in traditional Zahavan music are the tuba, horns, flute, panpipes, lyre, lute, drums, and water organ, almost always accompanied by singing, either of poetry or special religious recitations set to a specific rhythm.

Music is often accompanied by dance, both for pleasure, such as dancing that occurs in taverns or at dinner parties, or as part of a ballet, and as part of certain ceremonies where the movements are very closely choreographed.

Literature
Zahavan literature is divided into distinct categories, religious text which often contains a series of sermons, or daily lessons which are often read by the head of the household to the family at dinner time. Other religious texts contain the directions on how to conduct specific religious ceremonies, what incantations, the proper prayers and prayer structure and what offerings should be used in a given ceremony.

Poetry, which is further broken down into popular, religious and secular poetry, includes the heroic tales of Zahavan heros, devotional treatises, religious hymns and rhymes, in addition to the scripts for plays and other theater performances. The works of Eulalius Bardas are among the earliest examples showing characters in a story interacting with one another with dialogue.

Essays, which consist of writings on any number of topics ranging from mathematics, to observations and critiques of society, psychology or commentary on various schools of philosophical thought.

Encyclopaedae and Scientificum, contains works on history, or in depth analysis in schools of science such as geometry, physics, algebra, politics. Calixta Comnena, was among the earliest such writers, using works on military history to demonstrate the merit in the study and analysis of historical events.

Cuisine
Zahavan food consumption varies by class, in the Imperial palace and metropolitan centers like Arcanium wealthy citizens eat a wide variety of exotic spices, meats such as lamb, beef, pork, fish both fresh and salt water species to more exotic things such as whale and dolphin. In addition the upper class enjoy a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, salads and a wide array of Confectionery desserts. The wealthy metropolitan elites also drink wines brought to the coast from the vineyards in the western highlands, various types of rum and other liquors distilled from sugarcane or fruits, fruit juice, coffee and various types of tea.

Upper classes in the interior frontier territories enjoy a variety of fruits, vegetables, breads, and meats typically coming from wild game gathered during hunts, an activity seen important to engage in for the elite such as wild boar, deer, ducks, geese, and other types of game birds, as well as domestic slaughter animals such as lamb. With nuts, legumes, and treats such as breads sweetened with honey. Liquors are the most popular drink, with tea, coffee, fruit juices and milk being popular as well.

The regardless of social status most Zahavans eat a similar core diet, while those in metropolitan coastal areas consume a larger amount and variety of meats. Rice, beans, or bread made from maize, rice flour, millet flatbread is lightly salted and often eaten with eggs, cheese, fruit, and a cup of coffee, tea, or fruit juice, in the evening an alcoholic beverage may be consumed. Most Zahavans, particularly those in the interior keep a household supply of poultry with this being their primary source of protein with pork also being common, especially in the way of sausages. Shellfish, tuna, mackerel, mullet, oysters, sea bass, and trout are also common protein staples, additionally fish are used to make a popular fermented fish sauce called Garum the flavor and qualities of which varies by region. Lower classes, which can not always afford Garum will often substitute it with a fermented barley or soy alternative.

A dish common only to the military, and served in modern times as a right of passage is called "Sanguis Soup" or Blood Soup. It consists of a soup made from boiled pigs legs, pig or duck blood, salt, and vinegar.

Sport and Recreation
Since the times of antiquity sports have been an important part of Zahavan culture, young men and even boys in particular would partcipate in a number of events, typically meant to showcase their military prowess. These events included wrestling, boxing, long distance running and sprint races as well as discus, or javelin throwing, archery and a number of equestrian related activities.

Other traditional sports include sailing and rowing and football. The latter is the most popular sport in the Imperium, with many towns fielding highly competitive teams in the Imperialis Leauge, the Zahavan National Football Team is typically among of the highest ranked teams in the world and historically has done well at the Anterran Cup winning the championship several times.

Other popular sports include swimming, diving, tennis, basketball, hockey, and rugby.

Trophy hunting and fishing are also a popular traditional sports, particularly among the wealthy elite. In addition to hunting, trapping, camping marksmanship, and hiking are popular as well. With many different hunting lodges and campgrounds being prominent throughout the country.

More recently motor-sports have seen a rise in popularity, particularly among Formula One racing. Many cities, and Segmentum governments have built F1 tracks and host various races.

Public Baths
Zahavans have built public bathhouses for over 2000 years and they are important feature of Zahavan cities, and a pillar of society. Bathhouses are separated by gender and are considered places one goes to for relaxation, necessary for good hygiene and mental wellbeing, and a place to socialize with others, either for ones personal gratification or to discuss business. Many bathhouses also offer saunas, massages with aromatic oils, places for meditation, and other relaxation therapies. Typically bathhouses feature both a cold water chamber, and a larger heated bathing area. In modern times many bathhouses also feature small eateries typically serving fruits or fruit based smoothies, exercise equipment, gardens, and in more lavish facilities small theaters for watching plays or musical performances.

House Parties and Tavernium
Particularly common among the upper classes, Zahavan house parties typically take place at mid day, or at night. The host would bring their guests into a special room, called the Perfruium, or room of Leisure. Here guests would lie on recliner couches typically around a small water feature or flower garden, eating and drinking while socializing. Typically guests would play also play a manner of games, such as charades, or card games or listen to a singer sing songs or recite poetry or listen to a small band of musicians.

Also common during times of antiquity was the practice of Zahavan nobleman demonstrating their virility by going to a special lounging room, with an adjacent semi hidden room where guests would watch the host couple have intercourse. It was also common for the nobleman to have mistresses and even slave women join them as men would often use the number of women they could presumably satisfy in one evening as a means of bragging and demonstrating superiority over one another.

At night many Zahavans like to go to a Tavernium, literally meaning food and wine house. Here Zahavans eat, drink, and dance with members of the community. Tavernium also often have rooms for lodging, and in lower class areas are also frequent hangouts for prostitutes. More luxurious Tavernium may have small private bathhouses, flower gardens with silk and linen draped pergolas over reclining couches. To outsiders Zahavans are seen as extremely promiscuous as there are few social barriers to unmarried people engaging in sexual activity. Orgies are, in fact, not uncommon to occur at social events with many establishments having rooms designated specifically for such activities.

Visiting Tavernium and house parties are also associated with a number of Zahavan religious holidays as part of the celebrations

Chariot Racing
Chariot racing is one of the most popular sports in the Imperium, and one of the most dangerous to both charioteers and horses alike. Both often suffer serious injury and even death, but these dangers add to the excitement and interest for spectators, with many stating the accidents are their main draw to the attending the races. The most dangerous section of track being the turns, where if a driver was not careful they, and their horses could find themselves being trampled to death should their chariot turn over. With this area being considered the most dangerous, ticket prices for seating nearest the turns at the track are among the highest.

Chariot teams often represent different organizations, companies, or individuals and it is not uncommon for these groups to compete against one another for skilled drivers. Likewise fans of the sport often choose a team, or driver and will fanatically support their chosen team or driver, violence breaking out between groups of opposing spectators is not uncommon. Adding to the competitive nature was the belief that the races showcased ones wealth and prestige among the populous. This often leads to teams spending lavishly not only on drivers but on elaborate decorations for the chariot itself and the horses.

In ancient times the teams, and the groups they represented would often also represent varying and opposing political interests adding to the fanaticism of followers. The most successful charioteers would often go on to either middling political careers, or use their fame to become coaches for wealthy groups in hopes they could transfer their success onto the next generation of racers.

Chariot races were often held in conjunction with celebrations for national or religious festivals, or on the anniversary of a revered primogenitor or other officials birthday.

Traditionally chariot racing is broken up into two groups, four horse teams, and two horse teams. The chariots themselves were traditionally modified war chariots made of wood although in modern times they are sometimes made of fiberglass. Also in modern times, the act of using motorcycles in place of horses has gained some following, although many race fans maintain that the true skill lies in the horse drawn teams.