Dominian Culture

Overview
Dominian culture has evolved significantly from that of its colonizers in the 22nd century. Bearing the influence of hundreds of years of isolation, warfare, and fervent belief, the Empire's culture is very different from that of other human nations. A significant development in it was the injection of Unathi culture shortly before the founding of the Empire, bringing new types of fashion, architecture, and beliefs. Much of Dominian culture can be broken down to that present on Dominia proper and the most prominent subculture, present on Ignotum Balteum. The largest differences between parts of Dominian culture are not between planets or regions, but between social classes.

Holidays
Holidays in the Empire can be broken down into two types: religious holidays, usually feast days, and government or social holidays. The first are widely celebrated social occasions that provide rare occasion for all social classes to mix. Feasts are often the largest communal events of the calendar year. Of the non-religious holidays, some are officially celebrated holidays, while some may only be official in certain regions or planets.

Dominian Holidays
January 1st, New Year's Day February 3rd, Feast of Devotion - A feast dedicated to those in lower stations or classes, it celebrates all those who work to keep society functioning from the bottom up. April 3rd, Feast of Faith - A feast especially dedicated to the Goddess, this holiday is celebrated widely across all social classes, especially priests. May 22nd, Worker's Day - A holiday similar to the Feast of Devotion, but more widely celebrating all who work in some way. June 3rd, Feast of Loyalty - This feast celebrates soldiers and all professions that rely upon loyalty and fealty to something higher. July 7th, Founding Day - One of the oldest holidays celebrated in the Empire, especially on Dominia, it remembers the first time colonists set foot on the planet. July 29th, - Victory Day - The official Army holiday, it celebrates the victory of the Unathi over the Coalition at the battle of Five Points. August 3rd, Feast of Remembrance - This feast remembers all who have passed on to the Goddess. It is a somber holiday spent with close friends and family. September 3rd, Feast of Joy - The largest celebration of the Dominian year. This holiday is occasioned by massive feasts, tournaments, and social gatherings. October 29th, Day of Crossroads - A government holiday celebrating the completion of the first major section of the Imperial Railroad. November 17th, Navy Day - The Navy's official holiday, this holiday is primarily celebrated by those affiliated with the Navy in some way. A fleet review is traditionally held on this date by the Emperor. December 3rd, Feast of Renewal - A feast to celebrate the past year and look with hope toward the coming year, with prayers and praises often given to this effect. December 25th, Giving Day - A feast day involving the giving of gifts to friends and family. This holiday was heavily influenced by Christmas, which was celebrated by the original colonists.

Fashion
Dominian fashion is generally modest and utilitarian with more focus on quality than extravagance. Partially due to the frigid climates of Dominia and partially due to its conservative society, Dominians view any clothing that would show the shoulders for both genders, or the leg above the knee for women, to be immodest. Exceptions to this rule include those involved in manual labor. Fashion among the aristocracy is similar to that of the lower classes, but of a far higher quality of material and manufacture.

Sports and Pastimes
Popular sports in Dominia, while varying depending on income and class, include martial arts, tournaments, and horse racing. Video games are often played as a sport and pastime, especially amongst freemen and younger members of the aristocracy. The most unique sport in Dominia is Talcrac, a sport that involves using a whip made of leather or a synthetic material to hit targets. Points are awarded for the difficulty of hitting the target as well as the flair involved in doing so. Various forms of card games are popular in the Empire, with the peculiarity that only Priests can deal cards, and the dealer cannot participate in the game. Success in gambling games is often attributed to the Goddess's favor.

Music
Music enjoyed by Dominians varies wildly across the social classes. Amongst Ma'zals, music played with stringed instruments, esp. guitars, usually accompanied by folk lyrics is very popular. Among freemen, orchestral music, as well as piano and organ music is prominent. The upper classes have the most varied taste in music, but a popular genre is that of military marches, which while popular across all classes are specially so among the upper echelons of society.

Architecture
Two major schools of architecture exist: The Morozian Deco style, a more somber variant of the now classical Art Deco style, and Balteu Gothic, a mix of gothic, deco, and classic themes. The most prominent building constructed in the first style is the Imperial Palace of Moroz, and the Temple of the Ancestors on Ignotum Balteum for the latter. The former utilizes modern themes and materials, often with a militaristic theme, while the latter is a more harsh and religious inspired style.