NationStates Jolt Archive

-Jointly Issued from the Ministry of Trade and Commerce
and the Academy of Natice Priaipain Anthropological Studies

In recent negotiations with the Native Priapian Clans of the Priapus Major, great strides have bene made in opoening the clans to trade from human nations, both on Priapus Major and outside.
The Confederacy of Generican States is willing to facilitate travel to Priapus major so trade with the various Clans may occur. We will charge a 10% facilitating charge for the use of our interstellar merchant ships to trade you and your goods to Priapus major.
For your safety, the Ministry of Trade and Commerce and the Academy of Native Priapian Anthropological Studies has assembled this report so that trade may occur smoothly and with no violence. Herein is the saliwnt points to be considered when trading with the Clans.


Native Priapian Cultural Structure

Native Priapians have a stratified society that consists of the Warriors, Shamans and Cheifs. It is important to relize this and to deal with each in a appropriate manner.
The highest in the pecking order is Shamans. At no time should one use their proper name or look at them directly in the eyes. this is disrerspectful in Native Priapian culture. An adress of "Shaman" or "Shamaness", and a respectfull bow of the head is appropriate. One must never try to stand up before the shaman, nor is it considered polite to disagree.
The Shaman/Shamaness is the spiritual leaders of the Clan. As such they interpert the will of the Clan's totem animal and the omens of nature. Shamans, women and men, do not wear anything but a loincloth and leggings, along with their charms and fetishes. It is inappropriate to consider or to ask for a sexual liason with a Shaman or Shamaness. They are ritually considered taboo and live lives of chasity.
The next in line is Warriors. Warriors consists of all males and females of age of puberty and up. Do not be suprised if you see a Native Priapian that would be the equivalent of human age of 13 bragging about their exploits in war. The Clans feel it is good practice to keep their martial skills high by fighting each other. A Warrior may request to have any male or female as their sexual partner, without question. The only way to get out of this situation is for the Human, in this case, to explain they are a Shaman and dress appropriately, or to come up with an excuse for why they would be a poor sexual partner. ANy other refusal can bring a fight.
Cheifs are on the same level as Warriors, and should be addressed as superiors. The proper position when addressing them is on one's knees, head bowed and with a low, depreceating tone. Among the Shadow Falcons, one that is lower in status will be called an "Aeya", a term for a fledgling Shadow Falcon. I It is true in all CLans that lowwer status people will be address as a "suckling", "aeya" a "pup", and so on. Never address the Cheif as such; it is an insult only redeemed by either large gifts or combat.

Apropriate Attire

If you are to trade with the Clans, you must decide what social role you are3 going to assume, with the appropriate dress

Shamans: naked from the waste up with only a loincloth and leggings

Warriors: Pants, shirt and articles taken from enemies killed such as ears, necklaces of fingers and articles of clothing

Cheifs: Pants, Shirt and Jewelry that should be gaudy and very bright; ie, raw gold beads, amber necklaces, rings of copper with precious stones and appropriate Clan tattos on the arms, neck and hands.


When you visit, you will be asked from what Clan you belong to. You may say the Generican people, or whatever state you are from. It is very impolite not to bring a gift.

Gifts are give at the beggining of all trade. Trade occurs atreligious pilgramages and at the general Spring Festival and Mid-Summer Festival. They are initiated by giveinmg of cheap gifts and feasting.
All gifts should be excepted with politness and gratitutde.

On Native Priapian Physology/Psychology

Native Priapians are humanoid in shape, allthough they have more hair on their bodies than Humans. They have opposable thumbs bnoth on their hands and feet.
They tend to be barrel chested, heavy boned and the usual height is about 5 foot 5 inches, with exceptionally tall Native Priapians 6 foot.
They have heightened sense of smell, hearing and taste. Strong perfumes and soaps are taboo since they offend most Priapians. It is better to not bathe for two or three days before engaging in trading with them.
All Native Priapians have proven to be mildly to moderately empathic. They have a natural ability to be able to "feel" what emotional state another Native Priapian or a Human is feeling.
This is what creates most of the conflict within Native Priapian society and amongst Humans. Among Priapians, there is much time spent on soothing feelings and overcoming unintended offenses. This is usually done by the males and females trading mates, to form a "peace pact". If you are travelling with a companion they feel is your mate and you offend them, they will naturally expect you to "lend" them your "mate" for a roll in the sheets.
For this reason, be honest. Xenophobia is a recipie for disaster as all the Native Priapians will "feel" you dislike them and despise them. Traders should be encultured and experienced in dealing with other cultures and peoples and be extremely adaqptabile. Honesty, transparency and having your words match your feelings is important among them.


Trading Goods Wanted By Native Priapians

Native Priapians desire mostly goods they have difficulty acquiring-steel, medicines, clothing, cloth, leather, e.t.c. . Particularly popular is Viagra!
Medicine should be sold by a person posing as a "Shaman", as they are in charge of herbal medicine and the like.
Weapons should be sold by a person posing as a "Warrior" , since they will figure you don't know what your talking about if you are trying to sell a knife and you like you don't belong to the Warrior class.

In return they will either pay in Helleneros, the money of the New Hellenic Leauge, a Neo-Ancient Greek leauge of nations, or gold nuggets from the more remote tribes like the Dire Wolf Clan or the Snow Raven Clan. Most of the more accultured clans deal in Generos, the money standard of the Confederacy of Generican States, the "superpower" on Priapia Major.