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. 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 the flavor and qualities of which varies by region. Lower classes, which can not always afford 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.

Role of Women


Women in Zahavan culture are not viewed as second class citizens, and are not viewed as being subservient to their husbands, but rather productive citizens of the empire as the mortal representation of the goddess Mageia, who gave birth to all mankind. Since times of antiquity young girls have received a standard education alongside boys, and like boys are expected to adhere to a dedicated physical fitness regimen including gymnastics and yoga, as it is believed that healthier, stronger women will give birth to healthier, stronger children. In wealthier households young girls are additionally taught the arts of music, singing, poetry, and dance.

While Zahavan men are expected to fight in war to safeguard the empire women were expected to manage the estate and finances and that she is the ultimate authority of the household. Zahavan women are expected to uphold the virtues and warrior culture of the Empire, the idea that sacrifice for the empire is the most noble and courages of acts one can commit in their lifetime. It is not uncommon for men to sometimes address a woman as their mother even if she is not biologically related to him, as women are sometimes equated as being a living embodiment of the state itself. This stems from the philosophy that all citizens live to serve the emperor, and thereby the state and gods themselves.

Another reason for this is the history of wife sharing, in times of antiquity childless or widowed men would often request, and often pay another mans wife to bear his children, while older men may have paid younger men, especially those in excellent physical condition to impregnate his wife. This was often the case especially if she had bore strong healthy children previously. This practice was often encouraged by the state because of the constant need for strong able bodied men for warfare. The practice continues today because it is believed to build a stronger sense of community and duty to the state. Because of this history of encouraged Polyamory Zahava is considered to have one of the largest polyamorous populations in the world today.

As the mortal representations of Mageia Zahavan women typically wear short dresses and sheer clothing and are free to go where they please, not being confined to their homes or requiring male guardianship, Zahavan women are also typically more open and forward in their sexuality than what is common in many other cultures. In Zahava it is not uncommon for the woman to initiate a marriage proposal or request a date, with most Zahavan women being married by their mid to late twenties.

The societal view that Zahavan women are managers may explain why women make up the majority of Administratum positions within the Imperial bureaucracy, Zahavan women are however somewhat handicapped politically with many higher political posts requiring exemplary military records, or the martial success, and thus fame and perceived merit of their opponents makes the likelihood of electoral victory for women slim. Still there have been several successful and well liked Empresses' throughout Imperial history.

Science
Zahava maintains an academic class some outsiders have referred to as a shadow class. While within their respective communities many scientists acknowledge the real world workings and scientific principles, publicly they must continue to uphold what has been dubbed the "Imperial Truth". Zahavan scientific papers are often riddled with references to gods and goddesses or cite potentially mythological histories as fact and precedent. This has only become more prevalent since the advent of quantum theory. This fact often leads many outsiders to discredit Zahavan published works, or at best requires more intense analysis to decipher fact from fiction.

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.

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.

Sport
Sports have been an integral part of Zahavan society and are often seen as a part of Zahavan identity. Sports such as archery, javelin throwing, boxing, wrestling, including the sometimes deadly and brutal combat sport of, foot races, equestrianism have all been practiced in Zahava for thousands of years. In modern international sporting conventions Zahavans typically perform at a highly competitive level in these traditional events. 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  racing. Many cities, and Segmentum governments have built F1 tracks and host various races.

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. Chariot racing was a way for ancient Zahavans to demonstrate their prosperity at the games, and was an alternative route to public exposure and fame for the wealthy which could be translated into political gain.

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, this view is challegned by contemporaries which argue it requires more skill to control machine rather than beast.

Chariot racing itself is extremely dangerous, both to the charioteers and the horses, due to the fact drivers are loosely secured to their carts, which are typically wooden or fiberglass and drivers must stand on the axle resulting in bumpy rides. Deaths from crashes are not uncommon especially on the turns of the track, if a chariot had not already been knocked over by an opponent before the turn, it might be overturned or crushed (along with the horses and driver) by the other chariots as they went around the turn. This has led some to suggest the high probability of a fatality occurring on the track is what makes the sport so popular much like gladiatorial combats to the death of old