Namuno-Ethian gender system
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The Namuno-Ethian gender system is a family of closely related gender systems pertaining to the Namuno-Ethian peoples of the Orddonach.
This gender system can be divided into two sub-systems: the gender system proper and the para-gender system. The former is a division based on sexual characteristics while the latter is based on the role one plays in a relationship.
Genders
The NEGS is a sex-based male-female binary system, with maleness being associated the moon, silver and hunting, and femaleness with the sun, gold, husbandry and agriculture.
Para-genders
The para-gender system does not take into account biological sex (the Namuno-Ethians are known to be polygamous and bisexual). Instead, it focuses on physical and mental characteristics. The first of these is the beloved (Phyrean: myllur "plucked, picked" or owfiar "beloved", Ragham: psur "picked, chosen"), generally classed as the younger, less experienced, smaller partner, usually fulfilling a more passive role. The second is the lover (Phyrean: riadarth, Ragham: ryadá, both "lover"), the older, wiser, taller partner, fulfilling an active role. Usually when a myllur comes of enough age, or has significant body changes, they become a riadarth themselves.
People who do not fall into either of these two genders or don’t meet most of their expectations are often socially ostracised.
Cultural expectations
Apparel and styling
Clothing standards vary from place to place. In Phyrea, capes are a culturally significant piece of clothing, now mostly worn in formal situations. Riadarths are expected to wear capes that reach between their hips and knees, while myllur should wear short, elbow-high capes. In the Asco-Manthic sphere, hredebrøydai or hredjai (riadarths) are expected to style and accentuate their snout, cheek and neck fur. Up-curled fur in these areas indicates virility. Meanwhile søyntbrøydai or søyntai (myllur) are expected to retain shorter, well-kempt fur, usually curled downwards, as with women, and wearing jewellery of some kind.
Marriageable age
The marriageable age has varied drastically throughout the ages. Before the 1600s, people as young as 15 were eligible for arranged marriages. With the passage of time, as the public became more aware of the developmental problems that stem from marriage at such a young age, the limit increased drastically to (on average) 20 years of age in most of the Namuno-Ethian cultural sphere. Nowadays it's seen as taboo to assign oneself a para-gender before adulthood.
Variations
Asconia
Asconia has been long influenced by the much more androcentric Khotgods for centuries. Their variation on the NEGS is much more centered on biological sex as a result, and clearly divides each gender/para-gender combo in what their roles should be. General housekeeping duties, like cooking and cleaning, are shared between all members of a family, regardless of gender or para-gender. Hredjai are associated with the hunt, preserving and leading the family and teaching their hrede children to be virile. Søyntai are associated with art, religion, divination, and esoteric practices. As with women, they are believed to be under the Hredjai in the family hierarchy.