Cultural Identities and Integration, 2nd ed. Volume One: The Darju

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Below is the full text of the first volume, of the Cultural Identities and Integration, 2nd edition series written by Gabrielle Forsyth. Each book in this series contains a written record of an oral tale, prefaced by Professor Forsyth's observations on race as elucidated by that tale, and his time spent with that people.

This installement deals with Darju, and recounts an amusing tale of a Darju Mercenary. This book may help the non-Darju better understand this race's fondness for fighting.

Foreword:

Even though Humans have lived on the planet of Haelrahv for about 200 years, many of us still do not understand the cultural and behavioral norms of the other inhabitants, which I believe holds us back from further growth, not only as Humans but as Haelrahvians. Thus, through this series, I hope to give greater insight into these cultures.

The concentration of my research has been centered on how integration* has affected the different societal structures represented worldwide and how much of their cultural identity** has been maintained. Readers familiar with the first edition of this work will notice that instead of combining my data into a single text I have split it into separate volumes. I felt that this way I could give more attention to each racial identity. I've also recorded several biographical narratives told to me in the course of my field research and have included one in each volume. I felt that these provided a good representation of the integration, or in the case of the Darju, acculturation*** progress.

I first visited Zriznug over 30 years ago. At the time, it was a small, remote Darjuan community. Since then it has grown into the size of a small city that has daily interaction with the neighboring community in Titan City. Despite their proximity to the city, the Darju remain an isolated people, insomuch as they continue to maintain a strong cultural identity that tends to clash with the surrounding construct. Certainly, the Darju have achieved acculturation, as they have learned to work with the residents of Titan City, but they seem resistant to total integration. Perhaps fault lies in the inability to completely understand their hostile attitudes and behavioral norms. They have an honor system that, unlike the other inhabitants, appears to function off of aggression rather than a sense of justice. In spite of the time I've spent among them, the Darju still continue to surprise me.

* Integration is the bringing of people of different racial or ethnic groups into an unrestricted and equal association within a societal construct.

**Cultural identity is the common traditions shared by the group or individual's original cultural context.

***Acculturation is the modification of the culture of a group or individual as a result of contact with a different culture.

Darju Anecdote:

As told by Fulzin Nrek and compiled by Gabrielle Forsythe:

*CRASH* "You bastard!"

Well, Tkal and his woman are at it again, so it must be morning.

I rolled over, just a few more minutes of sleep. The scents of grilling meat and spices waft in through the tent flap making my stomach grumble loudly. Alright I'm awake, sheesh. I throw on my favorite eteoch hide pants and a shirt, grab my holster and leather jacket, and head out onto the streets. The tent city was bustling as usual. Darju like to stick to the company of other Darju. There isn't something specific about the others who inhabit Haelrahv that we dislike, it's just that they don't understand us. None of us are afraid to say it, we are brutes. Fvom, if you lived through what our ancestors had to endure I'm sure you would be a brute too. My father would never let me forget it. "Nazha mot falza" "To live is to fight". They were ingrained in my head from early childhood. Supposedly, a great ancestor of mine first spoke those words, really I think my father made it up, but it still holds true nonetheless.

Rummaging through my pockets I pulled out a wad of bills. Well, this is the last of it. That last job paid pretty good. At least I should be able to get something decent for breakfast with this before I look for something new. Strolling between the tents I spotted a cart vendor. Mmm, she's got my favorite, zkezzuv, which are kinda like the spiced meat rolls the Humans have, but better. I bought three; two to eat now and one for a snack later and then I head over to the Merc office to check out the job listings.

I must say, living near Titan City certainly has its advantages. There is no shortage of work, that's for sure. But rarely is there a high paying job or anything steady. Its usually low paying, one shot deals. Now there are some assignments I won't take. I'm not into cutting up women, unless they cut me first or they like that kinda thing. I won't take cases with kids either, there's no challenge in them.

Perusing the board I noticed the usual stuff. Too bad there wasn't a war going on, get some sweet jobs when war's abrewing. I glanced at the first flyer, it's a typical one, guy wanted for murder and Mercs to kill on sight. Next one's not much better. Some chick wants someone to cut off her ex's privates, yeah, no thanks. Hmm, this one's not bad if you like group efforts, seems some Troopers need a couple extra hands on their next mission. I think I'll pass. Here's a bounty for chasing down some hacker and returning him to the authorities. Not too difficult, but I'm not in the mood to travel much. Underneath that is a reward posted for returning some ancestral ring that was stolen. What do I look like, a treasure hunter? I'll leave that one for the less skilled Mercs. Well well, what have we here? Today must be my lucky day. At the edge of the board, freshly posted was a gig at a local tavern. Seems they've been having more than the average fight break out and they're looking for a little protection. I quickly snatched the listing off the board and went straight towards the tavern.

It wasn't quite opening time when I arrived. Flyer in hand, I confidently strode in. There was only a stout old Darju behind the bar polishing some glasses, he didn't look up as I walked in. I stepped closer to him and said, "Greetings, I'm Fulzin Nrek and I'm.."

He interrupted, "So what makes ya think yer good enough to handle this job?"

"Well, sir, umm.."

And suddenly the old guy was coming at me, knife in hand! I told him to hold up, I didn't especially want to beat up this geezer. But there wasn't much choice, he kept coming. I dodged a few of his swings, the last one came pretty close, this guy was quicker than he looked. On the next swing, I grabbed his wrist and wrestled the knife from his hand as I twisted his arm behind his back. He still struggled fiercely, then wham! He butted the back of his head into my nose! I was dazed for a moment but held my grip on him. He abruptly changed moods and calmed down.

"You've got the job, boy. Now don't let me regret this."

Wow this really was my lucky day! I tried to contain my enthusiasm. I nodded and thanked him for the opportunity. He grunted and told me to start pulling down chairs. I started to protest, I was a bouncer not a serving wench, but I thought of the money and did as I was told.

The first few hours were uneventful and seemed to drag on forever. People came and went. I washed some dishes when Fverta went on her break. In an instant everything changed. A group of guys who had recently come in started "bothering" the crowd, to put it lightly. The four of them wandered amongst the tables, grabbing at the ladies and threatening those who protested. When they encircled one lady, made her get down on her knees and one started unzipping his pants, I figured it was time to move. Now this is what I was getting paid for!

I walked up slowly trying to get at least a moment of surprise. No luck I was spotted. They started to circle around me. Eh, this wasn't looking good. I sized up the competition and spotted who I thought was the weakest. Picking up a bottle from the nearest table I smashed it into his face and he quickly went down. Three more to go. As I turned to face the others, one of them, a medium sized Human, grabbed my arm and turned me around, holding me tight. The huge Jaddan who was holding down the woman moved in and I felt a couple ribs crack as he worked my abdomen with his fists. Thinking about my fight with the old man, I gave the guy holding me a head butt and quickly ducked. Already in mid-swing, the Jaddan punched his own man square in the Human's already bloodied nose. I took a moment to chuckle to myself before diving out of the way of the Jaddan's foot. My side was beginning to hurt bad, so I decided to end it. Pulling my rtuzma sidearm from my hoster, I fired a couple shots into the Jaddan's kneecaps. He went down wailing in pain as the last one moved for me. I held the gun to his face and told him to take his friends and scram. Glancing at his fallen comrades, he nodded and fled. The other two helped the still screaming Jaddan out the doors.

As they left, I leaned against the bar and the old Darju set a mug of ale down next to me.

"I never did catch your name, what is it anyway?"

"It's Zeto, Zeto Dhomrog"

"Well Zeto Dhomrog, good ta meet you. I think I'm really going to like it here."