Slavery
From Almeopedia
Slavery is a common practice among peoples who don't have advanced technology, though attitudes to it vary between different cultures. In terrestrial terms, on Almea it usually tends to have a lot more in common with ancient mediterranean than with modern transatlantic slavery.
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Eretald
Slavery has always been a bit disreputable in the Plain, going back to the Cuzeians, who never countenanced it. The early Caďinorians had slaves-- mostly war captives and poor people who sold themselves or their children into slavery, used mostly as servants in noble houses and as cheap labor for mining and manufacturing. It was assumed that slaves were not good peasants.
However, the Munkhâshi occupation gave the Cadhinorians a distaste for slavery. During the Empire slavery was allowed only as punishment for serious crimes. In medieval times the practice crept back in; the main sources were criminals and war captives (if there wasn't a war nearby, slaves could be acquired by trade). In modern times slavery is again seen as backwards and cruel, and the countries which still allow it are rogue states (Azgami, Mútkün) or primitive (e.g. Bešbalic, Dracnáe, Barakhún). In Verduria it was abolished by king Tomao in 3243.
Xurno
Ancient Axunashin society was based on racial slavery: the conquered Wede:i were collectively slaves of the conquering Ezičimi (in fact, edi, a cognate of Wede:i, means "slave" in Xurnese). However, since Ezičimi considered the children of their Wede:i concubines to be full Ezičimi, the slave class disappeared over time. The practice persisted, however, until the Revaudo revolution.
Lenani-Littoral cultures
The Jippirasti scriptures teach that believers in Jippir cannot be slaves. Keeping slaves acquired by conquest or trade is however allowed. The Carhinnoi, when they had an empire, treated the conquered Eynleyni as slaves. However, since Jippir has not favored his followers with many conquests recently, the practice has almost disappeared.
The Gurdagor have always considered themselves above primitive practices like slavery. They insist on paying a pittance to their domestic and field workers. Children might be sold into slavery, though since they could eventurally (with frugality and luck) buy their freedom, this might better be called indentured servitude. However, historically the Gurdagor were not above selling Mgunikpe slaves in Xengiman.
Nan and Bekkai
Nanese culture, and its extension in Bekkai, tolerates slavery; the chief sources are poorer or more primitive classes or areas. In Nan slaves have no legal rights and must go naked; ironically they are often trusted servants of upper-class, more civilized than the peasants and menial laborers. Urunči is noted for its harsh treatment of its conquest Bečura, whose inhabitants are collectively slaves (much like the Wede:i were to the Ezičimi). Slavery is hereditary in Omeguo, and includes detested professions such as muckraker and gravedigger; here too female slaves are not allowed clothing, though this is less of a signifier as commonly clothing consists only of a loincloth and this is optional for all but upper-class women.
Arcél
The Uyram cultures have always had a significant slave class, though this has declined with the adoption of market economies. Itsenic and Dnetic cultures also had slaves, mostly war captives.
The Bé did not develop a system of slavery, except for the Mɔłɔ treatment of the Hake.
| Author: Stilgar |
