Susan, it's been a while since I visited the riddlegames.
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Well, I'm psychic. Whoohooooo *makes mysterious hand gestures*
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LOL!
Wow, this is getting exciting. I'm working it out with Brinniel which of us will play the tradesman, and which the King of Leonarra.
Guys, it seems like Harad (and until now Rhun) have the least-defined cultures, so we'll have to invent something. Ready for a flight of fancy to reject or sign off on?
Harad
Customs and Cultural history
Harad is a combination of the southern tribal culture of the men who did not serve the Noldor when they came to ME, and (whether they like it or no) the culture of old Numenor. Note, I did not say Gondor. Gondor has grown and changed, leaving many outdated customs behind. In Harad, many of the ways of old Numenor are preserved exactly, with little understanding, though the Haradrim assume these customs to be their own. For example, they stand at their seats a moment before dining (though they did not adopt the Gondorian custom of facing West which began after the fall of Numenor). Their soldiers use the Gondorian salute of the arms crossed, though they use the original salute of just the right arm across the breast. The tithe system also continued from the occupation of Numenor. The tithes are currently sent yearly to the king of that particular city state. Consequently the Kings of Harad are fabulously wealthy, their capital cities exotic.
Authority
Strangely, this has served to underscore allegiance. The Haradrim have fanatical devotion and respect for authority, whether it is the head of their family, or the nation.
Language
Numenorean words have slipped into their language, such as 'King', which they've used in place of the tribal word 'Hahn.' It means 'highest' and can denote any leader so long as he is at the top of the chain of command. So a captain on a mission, if he is the highest authority available, is the 'king.' But if there are two of equal authority, then there is no 'king,' even if both by the usual standards of the word
are kings. This tends to cause some confusion. It was fortunate that 'King' Elessar had travelled far in his life. He tactfully ommitted the title 'King' from his invitations to Harad, implying he was an equal inviting equals. (Er, right, Child?)
Superstition/Elves
There is an ancient distrust of the western elves and their power, a superstition passed down from the time of the second breaking, a rumor as it were that the elves of the 'otherworld' and their bright jewels brought cataclysm upon the world. The story of Feanor, from the perspective of Men and Middle Earth, is found in their songs. The elves' close association with Gondor did not help this superstition, though the 'elves of this world' (i.e. elves who did not go to Valar, such as those of Mirkwood) are accepted.
Judicial
Each family is responsible for their own. Should a family member be convicted by the 'king,' the family is responsible then for the punishment. Families take this very seriously, as their family name is not cleared until the punishment is abated. Death sentences they can be carried out by the head of the family, or more commonly, the criminal can elect to die in battle serving his family. His hands are tatooed with the family 'name' (Haradrim names usually refer to animals or mythical combinations of animals, so their name will be a picture of that creature. Fairly simple and practical system of names), he is manacled and a member of the family assigned to see to it he carries out his sentence. If you note that this system is ripe for abuse to 'up' conscription, you are quite correct. Numenorean overlords took advantage of this system, and many powerful leaders of citystates have done so since.
The Two Peoples of Harad
There are actually two races in Harad - the inland Haradrim, who are lighter skinned and taller, and the coastal Hardrim, who are very dark and massive. The Numenorean overseers on the various farms in the inlands tended to be cut off from regular contact with Numenor during the occupation. They commonly 'went native' (or joined rebels as the men of Numenor called it). This has blended their races. The inlands have historically been supported by farming and trade, consider themselves more civilized than the coastlords. The coastal Haradrim are more closely related to the Corsairs, have returned often to their raiding ways. They consider the inlanders to be rather weak and effete.
Clothing
The Haradrim (both inland and coastal!) love bright colors and fine cloth, silks in gauzy brilliant hues, gold, and dazzling colorful jewels. Rich and somewhat tasteless, with an appreciation for the exotic and unique - and a little competitive one-upmanship - they are a dwarf's
dream customer. The Lonely Mountain is fairly salivating at the opportunity Harad trade represents.
Due to the humidity and high temps, they wear loose flowing pantaloons, loose tunics slit at either side, though they also often go bare-chested. In their love for decoration, they have taken tatooing to an art form. They will tatoo anywhere but the hands. A tatoo on the hand represents a criminal condemned to death, a fairly common event in this aggressive culture.
Music and Education
The original culture of Harad survives in its fullest form in its education system: its songs. Songs have been handed down from the earliest history of man. In fact, surprisingly, outside of the elven histories (where those who witnessed those events are still alive) it is the most accurate history of Middle Earth. It includes history of Man that is not recorded by Elvenkind. This 'export' is more valuable to the Elves than any jewel, and includes information about elven races of the East who had disappeared and lost contact after the Elves went West. Relatives who may be still alive. Legends that have been forgotten elsewhere. They may contain the fate of the Entwives. Locations of Hobbit cultures outside the Shire. The Harad have no idea what they know, and Numenor in its arrogance has dismissed these 'songs.' Even Elessar doesn't know.
The Haradrim warrior priests memorize their oral tradition, teach them to children, and sing them at the feasts of the full and new moon. The midsummer and new year. Music and song is interwoven through the entire fabric of Harad culture. The choosing of the warrior priests is a carefully kept secret.
[ September 22, 2002: Message edited by: Marileangorifurnimaluim ]