Alternative History

Kerguelen culture guide

The Kerguelen people are native to the Kyallan province of Matrbhuni (Kerguelen for "our Land"). They also inhabit the territory of Bayatibhulu (Kerguelen for distant lands). The places are known in Kyallan as "Bruzikel" and "janarkel", respectively.

Language

The Kerguelen language is an Indo-European language and, prior to the age of discovery, the southernmost one. The language's closest relatives are Dhivehi and, to a lesser extent, Sinhala.

Mythology

The Kerguelen people worship eight goddesses named Adaraya, Alamkaraya, Asava, Limgikatvaya, Balaya, Adhipatyaya, Pujava, and Sukrataralaya. There are numerous minor female spirits who are revered but not worshiped. There are no male deities whatsoever.

Art

The Kerguelen people are known for their ornate jewelry, reminiciant of their original homeland in India.

Music

Kerguelen women sing hyms to their goddesses and preform drumming ceremonies during human sacrifice.

Cuisine

The Kerguelen people's diet is dominated by seafood, along with native cabbage and imported foods.

Other cultural practices

The Kerguelen people are a fiercely matriarchal society. Women own, rule, work, and protect the land. Little value is placed on men, and they are used only as pleasure objects by the women and for propagation. Lesbianism is very common. Before the Kerguelen maritime empire was annexed by Kyall, ever 8 years the Kerguelen High Queen would select 8 boys between 10 and 20 to sacrifice to each of the 8 goddesses. This practice was and is outlawed by the Kyallan Empire. Matrbhuni and Bayatibhulu are still ruled by a High Queen, although she is subject to the Kyallan Emperor/Empress

∂∂ÑyooNoiineen people

North of the Kerguelen islands is a small island, known to Kerguelens as "Sine Ahuru" and to Kyallans as "Garansakthorr". The island is inhabited by a native tribe who are not related to the Kerguelens. These people call themselves the ∂∂ÑyooNoiineen. They call their island "aallemaaNb∂ha". They speak an Ongan language related to Onge and Jarawa.