Tatrix Lady Aasiyah Admin
Number of posts : 391 Registration date : 2009-01-02
| Subject: Introduction to the Caste System Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:09 am | |
| Castes The caste system is described by Norman as something that belongs to the "high civilizations" of Gor. Castes then belong to a set culture, as much as bolas belong to the culture of the wagons, or bond-maid circles belong to the culture of the north. The caste structure of the city-state culture is not something that 'fits' into other structures; it IS a structure of itself and it belongs to the city-state societies, no other. It includes trade, behavior codes, tradition and even dress codes. If one pays attention, they will note that caste has gone as far as modifying anatomy; think of the physical description of the wood carrier and the reference to how the tasks of his trade have altered his body over time (and likely, eventually, genetically), the wide back, the slight hunch, etc. You cannot include the Red Savages culture into that of the Tahari and in the same fashion, you cannot include the caste system into other cultures. They each provide for an independent way of life, a difference in hierarchy and purpose. Surely, that Norman so often mentions the fierce independent nature of each cultural entity, the strictness of their customs, and that he took the time to go into so much detail about each one's particularities does not go unnoticed. One who has been outlawed is said to have no caste. One may claim, as Tarl did, that they were 'once of the ___', but to state to 'be' of that caste implies living in a place where a caste council has granted caste right and recognized them as belonging to this caste AND, in THAT city. Caste recognition will carry from city to city under the provision that this city's caste council will allow it. This is why we will see, for example, people in a strange city not call for caste or clan protection but rather, request to speak to the Home Stone. 'Speaking to the Home Stone' means seeking another of your home, who may have credence in this city which isn't yours, for having been there longer and perhaps having gained acceptance. In one's own city, they would call rather for caste sanctuary.
Note how castes are almost always attached, when mentioned, to the city: 'The Physicians of Treve', a 'Warrior of Ko-Ro-Ba', a 'Merchant of Turia'. The reason for this is clear; everywhere one goes, it is as a member of a caste from a specific city that has accepted them within that caste by birth, by companionship or by an agreement to change birth caste. Although castes are said to be transmunicipal, caste representation as well as caste existence varies from city to city. Even in a place of exchange such as the Sardar Fairs, or, as for Merchants, a 'trade situation', it will likely be with a city tag that a caste member will be given credibility, the city to which he/she belongs as a caste member. Without it, he/she cannot truly belong to a caste. Furthermore, his/her caste may not even exist in some cities, such as for example, is the case of the Thieves of Port Kar. The word transmunicipal as it is used to describe castes should enlighten those who think castes can remain castes outside a city structure. One can be a Warrior, a Merchant, even a Peasant, but to claim to be OF the Caste of Warriors, or the Caste of Merchants means to belong to a society where the caste system prevails, i.e. a city-state culture. One may as well partake in trade or war or gardening, without having to claim caste for it. Indeed, many non-caste societies did all of the above, sometimes within a structured group, sometimes simply as part of their daily tasks, whether or not it required a reserved title.
Wagon People for example do not have castes; they have a culture that clearly defines every man's role in relationship to the bosk first, including defense and care of the herd. They do have clans with specialty trades, and they also have rules about each man knowing war, hunt and weapons specific to their culture. Red Hunters live for the hunt; it is what feeds them. They also however all build homes. Panther Girls are not, as some would like to believe, female warriors; they are hunters, and engage in trade in order to obtain certain goods to ensure their survival. Tarl Cabot, in his journey, travels across cultures and lands, living at one time or another among the wagons, the Torvaldslanders, the Red Savages, and through each passage, the readers witnesses the necessity of 'doing as the Romans do', reinforcing the concepts brought forth by Norman about uniqueness of each culture. Truly, of what use is a caste title in a world where no caste council exists? Among the Red Savages, who would care that one is listed in Ar as a physician? Would it not be more likely that the traveler keep the trade and the knowledge and learn to use it in the way it serves those among whom they seek to be accepted and share life with, even if only for a time? Caste titles would mean nothing to those who have lived all their lives outside the caste-structured world.
The Gorean high societies then are composed of an intricate system of hierarchy that is divided into castes which may in turn be divided into subcastes. Each trade or profession in Gor belongs to a caste; each caste fits in a set ladder of importance within the Gorean social outline. Each caste member is guided by its codes, which are sets of rules and laws one abides to in the practice of his trade, but also in the way he lives.
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