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.

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.

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.