Ghailles

Ghailles
Gaeil

Regions with significant populations
Caldia	8.5 million
Halland	TBD
Nuvania	119,372
Cassier	634,291
Languages
Ghaillish (Sudric dialect)
Religion
Mainly Sotirianity (majority No-religion; minority Calidonism, Solarian Catholicism see also: Religion in Caldia

Ghailles (Ghaillish: Gaeil), also known as Goidels, are a Tenic ethnolinguistic group indigenous to the Caldish Isles, mostly inhabiting Caldia with descendants living in a number of countries. They are associated with the Ghaillish languages; a branch of the Tenic languages comprising Ghaillish and the Sudric dialect.

The Ghailles have their own customs, language, music, dance, sports, cuisine, and mythology. Although Ghaillish is their main language, today most Ghaillish people also speak Gaullican and Estmerish. Historically, the Ghaillish nation was made up of kin groups or clans that were eventually organised into petty kingdoms and the Kingdom of the Ghailles, followed by the Kingdom of Caldia. The Ghailles also had their own religion, law code, and style of dress.

Ghaillish language and culture originated in Caldia, but spread throughout Northern Euclea during the Middle Ages. The modern descendants of the Ghailles are found throughout Euclea and as far as Asteria Superior and Inferior.

The population of Caldia is about 9.8 million, but it is estimated that 16 to 20 million people around the world have Ghaillish heritage. Historically, emigration from Caldia has been the result of conflict, colonialism, and famine. People of Ghaillish descent are found mainly in Halland, Satucin, and Nuvania.

Origins

The earliest evidence of human settlement in Caldia dates back to the arrival of Mesolithic hunter-gatherers some time after 8000 BCE, when the climate had become more hospitable following the retreat of the polar icecaps. Archaeological evidence indicates that these people sailed from Solstiana before reaching Caldia. Some possible Paleolithic tools have been found, but those excavated are not convincing of Paleolithic settlement. Caldia was mostly covered in ice until around 9000 years ago, making it harder for human settlement. Following the retreat of the polar icecaps, the Caldish isles became more hospitable.

In around 4500 BCE, Neolithic settlers arrived introducing cereal cultivars, a housing culture, and stone monuments. It was at this time a more advanced agriculture developed, with the inhabitants of Caldia moving away from hunter-gathering. The Chéide Fields show how agricultural practices evolved over time. A high neolithic culture began, resulting in he appearance of pottery, polished stone tools, rectangular wooden houses and communal megalithic tombs. Technology used by the islands' inhabitants changed significantly during the Bronze Age. Practices such as harnessing oxen, weaving textiles, brewing alcohol, and skillful metalworking emerged during this period. Evidence of crafted jewelry and the use of the wheel can also be traced to Caldia during the Bronze Age. Burial practices also changed, with a shift away from communal tombs to the use of small stone cists or simple pits.

The Tenic language and culture emerged during the Iron Age. Tenic peoples from the Euclean mainland migrated to Caldia, bringing with them Tenic languages, Ogham script, and culture. Evidence indicates there were four separate Tenic invasions of Caldia, with the Laighin, Euerni, Belgae, and Caledones migrating at different points. The Caledon invasion took place in about the sixth century BCE. Caledones is the first recorded name given to the Ghailles. These groups These early Tenic societies organized themselves into tribes, which are often labeled by historians as confederacies.

Continental Ghailles

The development of settlements and the limited resources of the Caldish Isles resulted in piracy and coastal raids by Ghaillish sea-faring groups. Raids became common in Solstiana, Fierenland, and northern Werania. Some of these raiding groups established entirely new kingdoms in along the eastern coast of Solstiana and in northern Fierenland. To a lesser degree, some new realms were established as far south as Estmere. This resulted in the first instance of a Ghaillish diaspora. Some of these communities still exist, though in small numbers.

Population

Main article: Demographics of Caldia

Countries where Ghailles live maintain census records outlining population statistics. Ethnic identity can be complex, but generally Ghailles are divided into the following groups: Ghailles proper, Ghaillish Asterians, TBD, and TBD. Ghailles proper either live in Caldia or live in a foreign country and retain Ghaillish traditions, such as speaking the Ghaillish language. Ghaillish Asterians tend to be people living within the Asterias who claim Ghaillish ancestry.

State	Ghailles	Ghaillish Asterians	TBD	TBD
Caldia	7,7,29,746 (2013)	not recorded	not recorded	not recorded
Cassier	41,661 (2008)	592,630 (2008)	not recorded	not recorded
Halland	TBD	TBD	not recorded	not recorded
Nuvania	15,908‬ (2015)	103,464 (2015)	not recorded	not recorded
Satucin	128,456 (2015)	1,546,345 (15,000,000+) (2015)	not recorded	not recorded

Kinship groups

Clan tartan of the Mac Coinneachs. Distinctive patterns were adopted during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Patrilineal or matrilineal kinship groups in traditional Ghaillish society are referred to as a clann; this signifies a tribal group that descended from a common ancestor. The group is much larger than a personal family, which may also consist of various kindreds and septs. The word clan is derived from clann meaning children or progeny, but not family in the Ghaillish language. Even if lineage details are unknown, clan members may be organised around a founding member or apical ancestor. The kinship-based bonds may be symbolic, whereby the clan shares a "stipulated" common ancestor that is a symbol of the clan's unity. In some cases, these stipulated ancestors are mythological in origin. Members may identify with a coat of arms or other symbol to show they are an independent clan. Clans are also represented by their family tartan.

Several powerful Ghaillish clans emerged over the centuries, transforming into powerful dynasties. Among them is Clan Mac Aillán, Clan MacIconnich, and Clan FitzGerlad. Before the Kingdom of Caldia was declared and centralised, power lied the leaders of the most powerful clans. This came to an end when a feudal system comparable to that found in much of Euclea was introduced. This marked the transition of the more powerful clans, or clans allied directly to the Crown, into noble dynasties.

Clan FitzGerald, like several other clans, is descended from the Verique settlers that arrived during the 11th century. Some clans, mostly centered in Sudreadharr, descend from Norse warriors, and in some rare instances, slaves.

Diaspora

Since the 16th century, Ghailles have migrated throughout in a variety of ways. The Kingdom of Caldia established colonies throughout Asteria Superior and the Arucian Sea. Some of these colonies saw significant migration from the 1620s into the 18th century. Ghaillish colonies came under foreign control, but some remained a hub of Ghaillish culture for roughly a century and a half afterwards. Today, Fáel has the largest concentrated population of Ghailles outside of Caldia and has retained its Ghaillish identity and culture.

Religious issues, stemming from the Amendist Schism and religious conflicts, culminated in the Highland Clearances, which saw large sections of the Catholic Ghaillish population of Caldia forced to migrate to the Asterias, mostly to Gaullican colonies.

Emigration from Caldia also occurred during the 19th century as the country was slow to industrialize and was met with famine. Between 1855 and 1865, over 1 per cent of the population emigrated each year. Emigration continued despite the famine's end in 1861 as people looked for new economic opportunities abroad. It is estimated that nearly one million Caldish immigrants arrived in the Asterias between 1850 and 1920. Most Caldish immigrants moved to Halland and Nuvania.

In recent decades, thousands of Ghailles have opted to move to other states in the Euclean Community.

Religion

Main article: Religion in Caldia

See also: Church of Caldia