Culture of Zahava

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. In addition the wealthy metropolitan elites drink a variety of red and white wines, various types of beers and ales, spiced wines, 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. Wines are the most popular drink, with tea and coffee 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. Breads made from cereal grains or wheat, lightly salted are often eaten with eggs, cheese, olives, and grapes. 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 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 the flavor and qualities of which varies by region.

Vegetables such as carrots, celery, garlic, taro, gourds, some flower bulbs, cabbage and other brassicas (such as kale and broccoli), lettuce, endive, onion, leek, asparagus, radishes, turnips, parsnips, carrots, beets, green peas, chard, French beans, courgettes, cardoons, olives, and cucumber while popular fruits include apples, pears, figs, grapes, quinces, citron, strawberries, blackberries, elderberries, currants, damson plums, dates, melons, rose hips and pomegranates are common in all levels of Zahavan cuisine.

Wine of various quality is the most popular drink nationally, lower classes wine is typically heavily diluted with water. Lower classes, which can not always afford will often substitute it with a fermented barley or soy alternative.

Chariot Racing
Chariot Racing has been a popular Zahavan past time since Antiquity. Chariot racing remains extremely popular, with the Megas Dromos in Arcanium seating some 275,000 spectators.

Many chariot teams represent specific groups, from various financial backers to political or religious groups, as well as in some instances entire cities or other geographic regions of the Empire. Occasionally members of government, and even Emperors themselves have endorsed or sponsored certain charioteers or teams. This results in intense competition between teams and regular bidding wars for the services of skilled drivers. The most successful of which have traditionally gone on to either found, or teach at a prestigious charioteer academy. Many chariot racing fans have an almost fanatical devotion to the teams they choose to support and it is not uncommon for fights, and, on occasion full scale riots to break out between groups of rival supporters.

Chariot races, beyond being a form of entertainment have been used as political and religious tools, with Emperor's regularly holding races on their birthdays, or to celebrate a national triumph to promote unity among the people or at the start or end of a major religious festival. Chariot races are open to all persons in the Empire, including foreigners, a privilege many other sports do not afford to non citizens.

Traditionally chariots involved in racing are broken up into two divisions, two or four horses with the latter considered more prestigious. In modern times motorized chariot racing, with a chariot pulled by two or four motorcycles has been occasionally introduced, although motorized racing is not as popular and is often considered a novelty event, or in some instances an opening act before the "real" race begins.

Chariot racing itself is extremely dangerous, both to the charioteers and the horses, deaths from crashes are not uncommon. This has led some to suggest the high probability of a fatality occurring on the track is what makes the sport so popular.