Culture of Cildania

The basis of Cildanian culture is formed by the culture of the Ancient Qedarites, as influenced by centuries of Cildanian history. Much of contemporary Cildanian culture is also derived from Celtic roots. It also includes significant influences from Majatran, and Jewish cultures, along with those of recent immigrants. Important festivals include Christmas and New Year. More esoteric and exotic celebrations are held in several of the larger centres. The music and cuisine of Cildania are similar to that of other nations in Majatra, although both have some distinct Cildanian qualities.

Overview
Cildanian culture is distinctively cosmopolitan, as it encompasses various influences and is engrained with monuments which illustrate the various stages of its history. Cildanian food, music and customs overlap greatly with those of Badara, Kafuristan, Selucia, Beiteynu, Kalopia, Barmenistan, and other Majatran countries.

Cildania's cultural life dates to prehistoric times, as illustrated by pre-Celtic rock carvings of the Cildanian Desert. The dawning era of Cildanian cultural history was shaped by the Ancient Qedarites. In antiquity, Cildanian culture was also very much influenced by ancient Selucia and Kalopia.

Lifestyle and Customs
Cildanian lifestyle is relatively traditionalist, although younger generations are somewhat more liberal. Cities are, on the other hand, much more permissive. By comparison to most other Majatran capitals, Qart Qildar is more westernized and more socially liberal. The city is more tolerant with regard to relations between men and women, and also with regard to homosexuality. In the field of marriage, partners may be selected by agreement between the family or an individual selection. Mothers often go in search of a bride for their son. Once a commitment is made it usually follows a series of visits between the two families, but disputes can lead to a rupture of the agreement. The wedding ceremony itself involves the passage of the bride to the house of her husband who waits outside. After consummation of the marriage it is followed by a period of isolation of the couple.

The Cildanian household is based on the patriarchal model where the man is placed in the dominant role. Most households are based upon the model of the nuclear family within which the tasks are assigned according to age and sex and personal skills. Developments in education and employment, however, somewhat alleviated this situation.

Until recently, Cildania was characterized by the existence of a popular culture of oral narratives and puppet shows. The narrator was highly respected and appreciated by both the elites and by the popular classes. Often itinerant, traveling from city to city on foot, they used a bendir, flute and some dolls as an accompaniment.

Religion
Religion in Cildania is a central feature of the country and plays a major role in shaping Cildanian culture and lifestyle, and religion has played a central role in Cildania's history. Although officially secular, the government provides for the free exercise of religions as they do not affect public order. The majority of Cildanians (more than 70%) belong to the Department of Cildania (ER), while significant minorities belong to the Jewish and Islamic faith.

One particular aspect of national identity in Cildania is the fact that religion is considered a much more important marker of ethnic affiliation than language or culture. For instance, a member of the Department of Cildania (ER) who is monolingual in Hebrew would consider themselves Cildanian rather than Jewish. Conversely, a Cildanian speaker who is a follower of Judaism would consider themselves Jewish.

Cuisine
Cildanian cuisine is similar those of many countries in the Majatran Continent.

The Cildanian national dishes are the kibbe, a meat pie made from finely minced lamb and burghul (cracked wheat), and the tabbouleh, a salad made from parsley, tomatoes, and burghul. The national beverage is arak, a strong anise-flavored liquor made from fermented grape juice. It is usually drunk with water and ice, which turns the clear liquid milky-white, and usually accompanies food.

Cildanian restaurant meals begin with a wide array of mezze-- small savoury dishes, such as dips, salads, and pastries. The mezze are typically followed by a selection of grilled meats and/or fish. In general, meals are finished with coffee and fresh fruit, though sometimes a selection of traditional sweets will be offered as well.

M'Juhdara, a thick stew of onions, rice and lentils, is sometimes considered poor man's fare and is often eaten around Lent by people in the Cildanian diaspora.