Savamese people
| Savamais | |
|---|---|
| Total population | |
| c. ??? million | |
| Languages | |
| Savamese, other Sabamic languages | |
| Religion | |
| Cairony | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Samezeans, Embutes, Verborians, Transvechians, Bouescians |
The Savamese people is an ethnic and national group native to north-eastern Messenia, identified primarily with the Savamese Empire. As with most other ethnic classifications, the Savamese are more defined by adherence to common cultural values than biological variables, although a typical phenotype can be asserted in the population. Furthermore the Savamese people is often also seen as a more overreaching notion, i.e. a cultural super-group including several components and subgroups. Within that scope, the core Savamese are those speaking Savamese and of reformer confession, but other cultural-ethnic group are also deemed Savamese based on arguably looser definitions of what a Savamese is. This allows the Savamese to claim that almost all ethnic groups within the Sabamic world are possibly part of the Savamese people.
Finally, the Savamese consider themselves to be an open nation. Indeed, when one is born a foreigner, it is possible to assimilate into the Savamese people by demonstrating adherence to their values, whatever one's original culture and appearance; any child educated in Savam (or in Savamese system abroad) can also call himself/herself Savamese.
Core characteristics
The cultural framework that defines core Savamese identity is relatively large. It has evolved from the earlier politico-religious foundations of Catholicism within the Cairo-Sabamic world to form a more distinct identity, sometimes termed the Savamese nation. In the 18th century, the Savamese found themselves in opposition to most of the other Sabamic Cairans through their adherence to the Cairan Reformation; the schism of Cairony was instrumental in establishing the Savamese as a distinct people from their Sabamic brethren that remained orangist, such as Ceresoran Verborians. As a result, religion is still a major element in Savamese identity today.
However, it is not the only defining factor. Loyalty to the Emperor, and general adherence to a cortege of perceived superiority, respopular or liberal ideals, and patriotism (especially expressed in the national service) are also important markers of Savamese identity. Furthermore, being Savamese also includes strong traditions of etiquette and codified interpersonal relations, as well as courting and marital behaviours. The Savamese nobility typifies many of those cultural traditions. The heritage of the Sabāmanians is strongly claimed as part of the Savamese identity too.
Although the Savamese language is the empire’s official language, it is not strongly required to identify as a Savamese. Related languages of the Sabamic family are accepted, especially if they go together with a working knowledge of Savamese. However, in the last century there has been a slow shift toward an increase of the importance of language into the definition of cultural identity, notably due to the spread of Savamese-language-only mass media and primary education that improved widespread knowledge of the language versus local dialects. In particular, the Savamese government has used media to increase the prevalence of Savamese in neighbouring countries considered to be inhabited by subgroups of the Savamese people, in order to maintain and improve the connection between those groups and Savam, reinforcing in some case their desire for assimilation within the Empire.
Associated ethnic groups
The following groups are considered to be subgroups of the Savamese people:
- Embutes
- Verborians
- Transvechians
- Samezeans
- Bouescians
- Kérates
- Mégers
Phenotype
The typical phenotype associated with Savamese is similar to the one found in northeastern Messenia and northern Inner Joriscia, not always very differentiated from the Secote stereotype: light-coloured skin and eyes, and a large incidence of blonde hair. Actually, Savam is one of the World's country with the highest proportion of blonde people, estimated at up to 55%. Red hair are present in about 5–7% of the population, to compare with the worldwide proportion of 1–2%. Eyes colouration goes from grey to green, through blue. Dark eyes, anything darker than an olive skin and hair colours darker than auburn are generally perceived as exotic as they occur naturally in Savamese population very rarely.