Given the tribe descriptions, the devs didn't just pull from Mongolian (or hell, even central eurasian) nomadic practices. Some of the descriptions make me think there's African, far eastern Russian, and maybe even some Central American influences going on. So, don't fret that you don't know a ton about Mongolian culture -- I honestly don't get the vibe that the devs meant for the Xaela to be a carbon copy of what it means to be a Mongolian pastoral nomad -- hell, some of the descriptions in there even directly contradict how steppe nomads actually work! (looking at you, vegetarian tribe)
Some nomad basics are this: they're tough. They're usually very welcoming of outsiders (it is a HUGE thing for many nomad cultures to properly treat guests. Even if those guests are strangers, they are welcomed in, given the best food, and the best place to sleep), typically self sufficient, if they are pastoral nomads they generally have a well-rounded knowledge of animal husbandry, they have deep spiritual beliefs (though that's not exclusive to nomads), they typically carry more than one type of weapon, and if pastoral nomads of horses they are masterful riders. Many pastoral nomads also don't really treat their animals like pets -- while they deeply respect and honor their animals, except for the occasional especially beloved animal, their animals are not part of their families.
If you want to include some Mongolian flavor, their three most manly sports are wrestling, horse racing, and archery. They tend to carry their wealth in useful things (such as embroidered deels (which the game does not have and I do not believe the xaela wear), headdresses, gers, or other useful things -- nomads do not have unnecessary stuff), and from what undergrad/grad papers I've read from those staying with modern pastoral nomadic families, tend to be a gregarious people. And from my professors who have done work with russian pastoral nomads, it's the same. They're generally an upbeat, mischievous bunch (though, don't take that to mean all the time -- they're still people, and people are all different from each other).
f you want to take some tidbits from digs of ancient peoples such as the Scythians, warriors are at the top of the pecking order when it comes to reverence. Horses are symbolic of wealth. Weed was used at funeral rites. They had short range and long range bows, as well as different types of arrows (which is true of ancient Mongolians as well). The men spent long, long chunks of time away from home, and in some cases the women would marry male slaves (though this is something that should be taken with a grain of salt). Slavery was very common, both in taking slaves from other tribes, and from outside cultures. They weren't above being bribed with luxury goods, and only the rich would have such otherwise useless goods. Felt was (and is) a common type of cloth. They wore bright colors, particularly yellow, blue, and red.
Also throat singing and the horse-head fiddle. And if you want some music, Altai Hangai:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlQ4vjZpGwk
If you want some art, Mongol Zurag is great due to its focus on Mongolian culture. B. Sharav is one of the masters of this style -
![[Image: A%2BDay%2Bin%2BMongolia%2B%2Bby%2BB.%2BS...939%29.jpg]](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XJDL7Jxu7hk/RmSlZrJQlyI/AAAAAAAAAIw/QWjubadpMHs/s1600/A%2BDay%2Bin%2BMongolia%2B%2Bby%2BB.%2BSharav%2B%281869-1939%29.jpg)
But, honestly, do what you enjoy. The devs have made sure with the family tidbits that there is no one right way when it comes to xaela.
Some nomad basics are this: they're tough. They're usually very welcoming of outsiders (it is a HUGE thing for many nomad cultures to properly treat guests. Even if those guests are strangers, they are welcomed in, given the best food, and the best place to sleep), typically self sufficient, if they are pastoral nomads they generally have a well-rounded knowledge of animal husbandry, they have deep spiritual beliefs (though that's not exclusive to nomads), they typically carry more than one type of weapon, and if pastoral nomads of horses they are masterful riders. Many pastoral nomads also don't really treat their animals like pets -- while they deeply respect and honor their animals, except for the occasional especially beloved animal, their animals are not part of their families.
If you want to include some Mongolian flavor, their three most manly sports are wrestling, horse racing, and archery. They tend to carry their wealth in useful things (such as embroidered deels (which the game does not have and I do not believe the xaela wear), headdresses, gers, or other useful things -- nomads do not have unnecessary stuff), and from what undergrad/grad papers I've read from those staying with modern pastoral nomadic families, tend to be a gregarious people. And from my professors who have done work with russian pastoral nomads, it's the same. They're generally an upbeat, mischievous bunch (though, don't take that to mean all the time -- they're still people, and people are all different from each other).
f you want to take some tidbits from digs of ancient peoples such as the Scythians, warriors are at the top of the pecking order when it comes to reverence. Horses are symbolic of wealth. Weed was used at funeral rites. They had short range and long range bows, as well as different types of arrows (which is true of ancient Mongolians as well). The men spent long, long chunks of time away from home, and in some cases the women would marry male slaves (though this is something that should be taken with a grain of salt). Slavery was very common, both in taking slaves from other tribes, and from outside cultures. They weren't above being bribed with luxury goods, and only the rich would have such otherwise useless goods. Felt was (and is) a common type of cloth. They wore bright colors, particularly yellow, blue, and red.
Also throat singing and the horse-head fiddle. And if you want some music, Altai Hangai:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlQ4vjZpGwk
If you want some art, Mongol Zurag is great due to its focus on Mongolian culture. B. Sharav is one of the masters of this style -
But, honestly, do what you enjoy. The devs have made sure with the family tidbits that there is no one right way when it comes to xaela.
