Bujoc

From Hârn
(Redirected from The Bujoc)
Jump to navigation Jump to search
BUJOC
 


The tribal nation inhabiting Anadel. The Bujoc are noted for their quasi-matriarchal culture and for the fact that they have inherited many of their traditions from the early Jarin. Some Jarin blood is certainly present but the degree is uncertain. The Bujoc support themselves by hunting and gathering but herb and vegetable patches may be found dotted about Anadel. Their tribes rarely exceed 100 and are generally nomadic although they do seem to gather frequently for large moots. There seem to be around 30 tribes. The Bujoc are not very warlike, tend to be shy of strangers, but have been known to offer assistance to lost travelers. When forced to fight, they prefer to employ bow and arrow from ambush, or from amidst the vegetation where their woodcraft makes them hard to see.

The tribes will occasionally trade with outsiders, but do not like to venture into the surrounding settlements, preferring instead to stop travelers on the Genin Trail to barter wolf and bear skins and other forest products for civilized artifacts. The Bujoc share the northern end of their range with the troublesome Chindra-Gargun bands; there is no love lost between them. The Bujoc try to avoid conflict by avoiding the Gargun.

Superstition and magic is rife among the Bujoc; fully 80% of the population uses some kind of “minor medicines”. Shamans, and their entourages travel from tribe to tribe, carrying news and performing useful spells. Such a group will consist of the shaman (most frequently female) and up to a half dozen “apprentices”.

The Bujoc are matrilineal, and practice a high degree of sexual equality. The male “chief” usually acts on the advice of his wife, the real power behind the “throne”. This de-facto government by the chief’s wife will not, however, be apparent to outsiders who are rarely permitted even to look at the tribe’s women. When the chief dies, his wife will take a new husband who will automatically become chief. When the chief’s wife dies, the chief will take “the long walk”, and her chosen heir (usually a daughter) will succeed her; her chosen mate will become chief. The women of the tribe sit frequently in council, and will settle tribal disputes among themselves. The Bujoc do not see marriage as a fundamentally sexual institution; any woman may summon to bed any unmarried male; married males may also be summoned with the permission of their wives, or of the chief’s wife or of the women’s council. Only the women are aware of the biological connection between sex and procreation.