Moldanian People

Moldanians

Moldâni (Moldanian)
A group of Moldanians in the town of Hrakonice in 1934.
Regions with significant populations
Moldanovica	38,014,649(estimate for 2021)
Torvon	13,047,647
Tiskaiya	4,029,650
Hondonia	1,200,000
Languages
Moldanian
Related ethnic groups
Roumans

Moldanians (Moldanian: Moldâni) otherwise known as the Moldanian People or Moldanovicans are a Terren-Thuadic ethnic group native to Moldanovica. They are one of Thuadia's largest ethnic groups, being Moldanovica's largest ethnic group. The majority of Moldanians are Orthodox Christians.

The Moldanian peoples were historically known by a few names, including the Samaritanians and the Mouldanians, until they became commonly known as Moldanians in the Common language. The Moldanian people are historically reknowned for their prowess on horseback, as they are believed to have been the first humans to domesticate the horse.

Geographic Distribution

Moldanian people can be found all throughout the world, with the highest amount of population being in Thuadia.

Ethnic Culture

Folklore

Myths and Tales

A recreation of the Skwatchen.

• The Werewolf is the most iconic Moldanian myth, with the first appearance in literature dating back almost a thousand years. Traditionally, children of Moldania are told that, each year, if a child misbehaves a werewolf will find it's way into the home and take the child, never to be seen again. It has been used for centuries in Moldanovica to scare children into behaving for their parents and is the most iconic piece of Moldanian folklore.

• The Skwatchen is a myth told on the Moldanian island of Sacalin. It originates from the 1800s, when residents of the village of Skwatchia claimed to hear a high pitched noise in the forest outside of the village, which when people went to investigate did not return. Since the initial recordings of the Skwatchen, residents have put the forest off-limits, with the unexplainable disappearances linked to the monster. Many have since then decided to go into the forest regardless, with those coming out reporting seeing the Skwatchen, and not ever returning.

• The Instoura is a mythical creature described in Moldanian literature to be a mixture between a human and a deer. Found in the Terrendover Mountains, the Instoura was first mentioned in the guide book 'Poveștile lui Terrendovers' by Goutsteau Neagoe in 1902, where he warned hikers of their manipulative behaviours as they try to lure hikers into an early grave. However, other accounts of the Instoura claim they are skittish and tend to hide from hikers, as well as other reports claiming they can even be friendly.

Creation Story

Despite a majority of Moldanian peoples following Orthodoxy, the traditional Moldanian Creation Story is seperate from the classic Orthodox Creation Story, as it takes inspiration from ancient stories as well as Jovanism.

The creation story begins as it is said that God was formed by the clash between the hawk god of Nuradara and the wolf god of Maretul, which upon collision formed God. The events that follow this align with the traditional Orthodox story of creation in Moldani culture.

Holidays and Celebrations

The Moldanian people celebrate on numerous occasions throughout the year, with a majority of their celebrations being linked to the Orthodox and Jovanist holidays, but also with a few of their own cultural and national holidays each year.

List

• *1st January - New Years Day
• *2nd January - Day After New Years Day - A less common holiday, it is used as a day of rest going into the new year in traditional Moldanian culture.
• *28th January - Saint Laurentine's Day - The patron saint of Moldania, Saint Laurentine, died on the 28th January, c.399. Each year the event is celebrated as a religious and cultural celebration.
• *22nd April - Good Friday (Orthodox Church)
• *24th April - Orthodox Easter
• *25th April - Easter Sunday
• *1st May - Ulanaka - A holiday celebrated only in Moldania, it marks the supposed day of the clash between Nuradara and Maretul in the traditional Moldanian creation story. Throughout the day, people make traditional kutia, carollers stroll the streets, churches hold services, people wear masks that they make the day before which they are traditionally expected to wear throughout the day.
• *12th June - Pentecost (Orthodox)
• *6th September - Childrens Day - A holiday that is minorly celebrated, parents and their children spend the day together, with sweets and food being the traditional gift for the day.
• *25th December - Christmas Day
• *26th December - Butler's Day

Food

Traditional Moldanian food is made up of traditional ingredients that can be found in Moldania, including chicken, pork, beef, fish and mushrooms and a range of grains and wheats. Famous traditional Moldani dishes include Supă de varză, a cabbage soup, pierogi, a traditional dumpling and the Crep, a thin pancake traditionally from the coast. The most well-known Moldani dish is the Chicken Sopav, which is chicken cooked with butter and egg, which are rolled into them middle.

Manners

Moldanian people hold certain expectations when it comes to manners and mannerisms. Things such as table etiquette and introductions are key parts of the Moldanian manner expectation. It is common, upon introducing yourself to somebody, to exchange a kiss on the cheek and it is often considered rude not to do so. It is also common, when introducing yourself to somebody, to say "Zi fericită/Happy day".

When setting a table, it is custom that the father and children of the family set the table, with exception of the daughter who is not required to. The mother is always first to sit down, with Moldanian customs placing them on top of the family.

Fine Art

Moldanians are known for the "Reinessance Period" of art and culture, which was from the 1770s to 1890s. It was in these times that famous painters such as Stefan Florentina and Diana Macek appeared with works such as "Dinner by the Sea", which is valued as the worlds most expensive painting. Moldanian art from this period was done using mostly oil painting and had a certain realistic style to it.

See Also

• Moldanovica