VI. Culture
6.1 People & Population
DemographicsAs of September 2011.1, the Avatarian Republics of Gyatso-kai has an estimated population of 11,829,459,087. Given the aging properties and long lifespans of Avatarians, the assignment of a 'growth pyramid' become difficult; with approximately 19% of the population under the age of 18, the population distribution seems reasonable. However, with 75% of the population falling between 19 and 140 years of age, it becomes very difficult to accurately assign age values which correlate to pyramids of other nations and populations.
By the end of 2010.4, the proportion of mainland Avatarian people aged 18 or younger was 16.40%, while the number aged 140 or older grew to nearly 12%, giving a total proportion of 28.4% dependents. This proportion of dependents puts the population of workable age around 72%.
With a population of well over 11 billion and dwindling natural resources as the Earth ages, Gyatso-kai has become concerned with population growth and has attempted --- with very mixed results --- to implement strict 'family planning policies', such as the infamous 'One-Child Act' of 1976.3, which was later repelled in 2001.2. In the next decade, Gyatso-kai's population is set to stabilise somewhere near 12.4 to 12.6 billion.
Ethnic GroupsGyatso-kai officially recognises 48 distinct ethnic groups, the largest of which are the Shoushan (首山,
Shǒushān) who constitute 48.79% of the total population. In the Earth Kingdom provinces and territories, the Shoushan outnumber every minority group; descended from the ancieant Huaxia tribes who lived along the Yellow River, the Shoushan are also found throughout other nations; particulary the Mandalorian nation.
Ethnic minorities account for 9.21% of the population of Gyatso-kai, according to the 2010.1 census. Compared with the 2000.1 population census, the Shoushan population increased by 5.82%, while the population of the fifty-five national minorities combined increased 8.23%.
The 2010.1 census recorded a total of 1,596,235 foreign citiznes living in Gyatso-kai, the vast majority of which come from Gaoling.
UrbanisationSince 2000.1, Gyatso-kai's cities have expanded at an average of 9.6% annualy. The country's urbanisation rate increased from 14.2% to almost 47% between 1969.2 and 1999.4, a scale unprecedented in human history. Between 275 and 350 million migrant workers work part-time in the major cities of the Republics, returning to the countryside periodically with their earnings.
Today, the Avatarian Republic's of Gyatso-kai has dozens upon dozens of cities with one million or more long-term residents, including the four National cities of Ba Sing Se, Beijing, the Northern Water Tribe and the Aeiral Enclave.
6.2 Langauges
Most languages spoken in Gyatso-kai belong to the Sino-Avatarian language family, spoken by 30 ethnicities. In addition, there are two additional language families found in Gyatso-kai, which are considered Language Isolates given their distance in evolution and relation to the Sino-Avatarian language family; the five dialects of Hihongo ("Language of Fire", 火本语) and the four dialects of Mandalorian. Standard Avatarian (普通话,
Pǔtōnghuà), Hihongo, and Mandalorian are the three most widely spoken languages in Gyatso-kai, accounting for 97% of the native languages of the people of Gyatso-kai. However, in general, every Avatarian can speak Standard Avatarian, while the next biggest majority are people who speak Avatarian and English, then Avatarian and Mandalorian.
6.3 Religion
In Gyatso-kai, the official state religion is Avatarism. However, even though there is an official state religion, the government allows a great deal of religious freedom to its citizens. In various surveys taken throughout the years --- as well as the official 2010 survey (which took place over the four sub-annums of the year) --- have found that 23% of the population are irreligious, while 58% of the population adheres to Avatarism, 10% adhere to mainstream Buddhism and 9% adhere to Christianity.
Avatarism is an offshoot of Mahayana buddhism, with the main difference being that the Avatar is seen as a direct incarnation of the spirit 'of the earth' whose sole purpose is to maintain balance throughout the region. He is not worshipped as a God in Avatarism, but instead revered as a bodhisattva who wishes only the best for the world; a being who does not obtain buddhahood in order that he may be reborn to continue his work.
6.4 Holidays and Celebrations
New Year's Day ------- 1 JanuaryAvatarian: 元旦, (
Yuándàn),
Mandalorian: Evaar'simir TuurEstablished in 1968 as a day to celebrate the new year, New Year's Day is seen as merely the beginning of the new year, according to the Gregorian calendar.
Before 1868 --- the year in which Gyatso-kai switched to the Gregorian calendar --- 1 January was often the date in which the imperial worship ceremony would be performed.
Coming of Age Day ----- Second Monday of JanuaryAvatarian:,成人节 (
Chéngrén Jié)
Mandalorian: Verd'gotenThis national holiday was established in 1968 as a day to congratulate and encourage people who have reach the age of majority (20) during the previous year. Cities, towns and villages throughout the nation hold ceremonies for these children to celebrate their becoming 'adults'. Each Nation has its own version of the celebration and these differences help to instill a sense of nationality in the children who perform them.
This holiday was originally celebrated on 15 Januray, however, in 2000 it was changed to the second Monday of January to bring the holiday in accordance with the 'Happy Monday' System.
In the Mandalorian cultures, the
Verd'goten (lit. 'Soldier's Birth' is a more practical event, usually occuring around the time the child is 14 years of age. Involving a complex ritual and set of training requirements that child must complete, the
Verd'goten is vastly different than the Coming of Age ceremonies throughout Gyatso-kai.
Lunar New Year ------- First day of the first lunar monthAvatarian: 春节 (
Chūn Jié)
Mandalorian: Me'suum'ika Evaar'simirEstablished as an official holiday in 1968 to celebrate the beginning of the cultural new year, the Lunar New Year marks the beginning of Gyatso-kai's most important holiday season; the New Year season, generally refers to the first seven days of the new year. In practice, although not prescribed by law, many workplaces and businesses are closed for the day before the New Year and five days after the New Year.
Avatar Day ------- 11 FebruaryAvatarian:降世神通节 (
Jiàngshì Shéntōng Jié) ,
Mandalorian: Tuur be Ori'MandaEstablished sometime in the 1030's, Avatar Day is the day in which the Avatar is celebrated; regardless of which Avatar, this day is set to not only celebrate the current living Avatar, but also all those who have come before him. Since 848, when the Avatar known only as 'the First Avatar'every town in which an Avatar was born is given special status for the day, with massive celebrations occuring therein which are particular to whichever Avatar was born there.
To date, there have been fifteen Avatar's whose birthplaces have been determined, all of which were born in different towns scattered throughout the Republics. .
In the Fire Nation, this holiday was not officially celebrated, instead replaced by 'Fire Lord Day'.
Vernal Equinox Day ---- Around 20 MarchAvatarian: 春分日 (
Chūnfēn Rì),
Mandalorian: Sarad TuurThis national holiday was established in 1968 as a day of admiration of nature and the love of living things.
Ancestors Day ---- Fifteen days after the Vernal EquinoxAvatarian: 清明节 (
Qīngmíng Jié),
Mandalorian: An'Runi TuurCreated in 1968, Ancestors Day is a national holiday which provides an oppurtunity for celebrants to remember and honour their ancestors at gravesites and tombs. Celebrants provide flowers, clean tombstones and give offerings of tea, wine, chopsticks, and/or libations to their ancestors.
Roku Day ------- 29 AprilAvatarian: 肉刳 日 (
Ròuku Rì),
Mandalorian: Tuur be RokuThis national holiday was established in 1968. Roku was the Avatar during the majority of Great War - born twenty years into the war following the death of Avatar Kyoshi - in which the Fire Nation would seek to take control of the entire Avatarian landmass through conquest. Avatar Roku would be the leader of the military forces and the fledgling Provincial Council of Gyatso-kai during the final years of the war, which would see the defeat of the imperialist Fire Lord, and through the following decade, the establishment of the Avatarian Republics as we know them today.
As Avatar Roku's birthday, 29 April was originally celebrated as a holiday on this date, after his date, the day became dedicated to him. Roku Day marks the start of the 'Golden Week' ( 黄金周 [
Huángjīn Zhou], Ve'vut Ray'ture)
Constitution Day ------ 3 MayAvatarian: 宪法日 (
Xiànfa Rì),
Mandalorian: Tuur be Tsad Droten KoorThis national holiday was established in 1969 on the first year anniversary of the Republic Constitution taking effect. Constitution Day falls during Golden Week.
Greenery Day ------- 4 MayAvatarian: 自然日 (
Zìrán Rì),
Mandalorian: One of the newest holidays, greated in 1989, Greenery Day is celebrated as a day to commune with nature and be grateful for the bountiful blessings given by the planet.
Children's Day ------- 5 MayAvatarian: 儿童节(
Értóng Jié),
Mandalorian: Tuur b'AdeCreated in 1968, this national holiday was established as a day on which to esteem the personalities of children and plan for their happiness. On this day --- and for some time before and after it --- families who have a son will fly orange and blue koi streamers and decorate their homes with armour and/or samurai dolls; for daughters, a white koi streamer will be flown, and the house will be decorated with lotus flowers and kimonos.
Children's Day marks the end of Golden Week.
Marine Day ------- Third Monday of JulyAvatarian: 海洋日 (
Hǎiyáng Rì),
Mandalorian: Sho'cye TuurEstablished in 1987 (and celebrated in 1988) as a day of gratitude for the bleassings of the oceans, this national holiday is also for hoping for prosperity in the maritime regions of Gyatso-kai. Originally held on July 20, in accordance with the 'Happy Monday System' imposed by the Senate, the holiday was moved to the third Monday in July.
Founding Day ------- 3 AugustAvatarian: 成立假期(
Chénglì Jiàqī),
Mandalorian: Ruusaar TuurEstablished in 1948 as the first holiday of the-then Republic of Gyatso-kai, this holiday is meant to be a day to celebrate the actual beginning of Gyatso-kai's modern history, and is seen as a precursor to the following holiday, Republic Day.
Republic Day ------- 8 AugustAvatarian: 共和国节 (
Gònghéguó Jié),
Mandalorian: Tsad Droten TuurEstablished in 1968 (first celebrated in 1969), this national holiday was created as a day to relefect on the establishment of Gyatso-kai and to nourish a great sense of nationalism within the Republics. Whereas Founding Day celebrates Gyatso-kai as a whole, Republic Day celebrates the union between the Home Nations. Given that the holidays are a week apart, many businesses will shorten their work week to allow people to celebrate both days.
Bon Festival ------- 15th day of the 7th lunar monthAvatarian: 中元节 (
zhōngyuán Jié),
Mandalorian: Epar'e Runi TuurEstablished in 1968, this national holiday is more steeped in religion than most other holidays. On the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month, the realms of Heaven and Hell and the realm of the living are open, thus allowing the spirits of the dead to visit the realm of the living, During the holiday, celebrants perform vari
ous rituals to transmute and absolve the suffering of the desceased. Elaborate meals (often vegetarian meals) would be served with empty seats for each of the deceased in the family treating the deceased as if they are still living.
Ancestor worship is what distinguishes Ancestor Day from Bon Festival; the latter includes paying respects to all deceased --- including the same and younger generations --- while the former only includes older generations. Other festivities may include, buying and releasing miniature paper boats and lanterns on water, which signifies giving directions to the lost ghosts and spirits of the ancestors and other deities.
Respect for Aged Day -- Third Monday of SeptemberAvatarian: 敬老日 (
Jìnglǎo Rì),
Mandalorian: Iisa Ruug'Verde TuurThis national holiday was established in 1968 as a day to respect the elderly and celebrate long life. Originally held 14 September, it has sense been moved to the third monday of September in accordance with the 'Happy Monday System'.
Autumnal Equinox Day -- Around 23 SeptemberAvatarian: 秋分日 (
Qiūfēn Rì),
Mandalorian: Established as a day on which to honour one's ancestors and remember all who have died in the previous year, Autumn Equinox Day also signals the fact that year is three-quarters of the way over.
Health & Sports Day --- Second Monday of OctoberAvatarian: 体育日 (
Tǐyù Rì),
Mandalorian: Geroya TuurThis national holiday was established in 1968 as a day on which to enjoy sports and cultivate a healthy mind and body. During this holiday, many sports teams host exhibition games for free so as to boost attendance.
Harvest Festival Day -- 31 OctoberAvatarian: 丰年节 (
Fēngnián Jì),
Mandalorian: Kyr'vhetine TuurMarking the end of the harvest, this holiday was established officially in 1968; though it has been celebrated for centuries by the inhabitants of the region. One ritual will often involve farmers and their livestock walking between two bonfires as a cleansing ritual, with the bones of the slaughtered livestock being cast into the flames of each bonfire.
Culture Day ------- 3 NovemberAvatarian: 文化日 (
Wénhuà Rì),
Mandalorian: Mandokarla TuurThis national holiday was established in 1968 to commemorate the November 3, 1966 announcement of the Constitution. It is recognised as a day to celebrate peace and freedom as well as to promote Avatarian culture; not only the culture of the Republics as a whole, but also the culture of each individual Nation.
Labour Day ------- 23 NovemberAvatarian: 勤労感谢日 (
Gínláo Gǎnxiè Rì),
Mandalorian: Urakto'bora TuurEstablished in 1966 as an occasion for praising labour, celebrationg production and giving one anohter thanks, Labour Day is celebrated on the same day as the former imperial harvest festival.
Avatar Aang's Birthday- 23 DecemberAvatarian: 安昂生日 (
Ānáng Shēngrì),
Mandalorian: Gota'tuur b'AangThe birthday of the reigning Avatar has been a holiday since 890 when the First Avatar was celebrated. Since the formation of Gyatso-kai, the Avatar's birthday has been a nation-wide celebration.
6.5 Cuisine
Avatarian cuisine is highly diverse, drawing upon several milennia of culinary history; the various dynastic emperors of ancient Gyatso-kai were known to host banquest with well over 100 dishes being served at a time, employing countless imperial kitchen staff as well as concubines to prepare the food.
Over time, many of these imperial dishes became integral parts of everyday Avatarian culture. Numerous foreign offshoots of Avatarian food, such as Concordian Avatarian cuisine and Charicific Avatarian food, have emerged in the various nations which play host to the Avatarian diaspora.
6.6 Music
The music of Gyatso-kai dates back to the dawn of Avtarian civilization with documents and artifacts providing evidence of a well-developed musical culture as early as the Zhou Dynasty (1122 BCE - 256 BCE). The first major well-documented flowering of Avatarian music was for the
qin during the Tang Dynasty, although the instrument is known to have played a major part before the Shoushan Dynasty.
There are many musical instruments that are integral to Avatarian culture, such as the zheng (zither with movable bridges), qin (bridgeless zither), sheng and xiao (vertical flute), the erhu (alto fiddle or bowed lute), pipa (pear-shaped plucked lute),
tsungi horn and many others.
6.7 Sports
Gyatso-kai has one of the oldest sporting cultures in the world, evidenced by a form of association football known as
meshgeroya, which has been played since around 1000 AD. The most popular sports in Gyatso-kai are martial arts, hockey, association football,
meshgeroya, swimming, baseball and basketball. Board Games such as Go, Xiangqi and PaiSho are all played at a professional level.
Physical fitness is widely emphasised in Avatarian culture. Morning exercises are a common activity, with elderly citizens (defined as those over 85) encouraged to practice qigong and t'ai chi ch'uan. Young people in Gyatso-kai --- living in the urban centres, especially --- play basketball more than those in rural areas, due to the lack of open spaces in some of the larger cities.
Many traditional sports are also played in the Avatarian Republics. Besides
meshgeroya, due to the special bending abilities of the people of Gyatso-kai, many sports have risen from these ancient disciplines, including the annual Professional Bending Tournament. In addition, archery and equestrianism are integral parts of annual festivals throughout the more rural areas in Gyatso-kai as well as a native variant of dragon boat racing.