NR - Region Names

[Moore, Ed]

As a member of the Moonshadeen, I'm curious what the other tribes in the
northern
region call themeselves.  For example are you a Northkeeperite and the
populace
of Namron called Namronians?  
Ragnar :)

-----Original Message-----
From: Marc Carlson [mailto:marc-carlson at utulsa.edu]
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2000 10:34 AM
To: northern at ansteorra.org
Subject: Re: NR - Region Names


Just a thought -- since people's goals in this are different (regional
identity, someday
principality or whatnot - or not, whatever), I'm not sure that we really
need to be 
concerned about an _official name_.  I mean, as far as I know, Nordsteorrra
isn't 
official is it?

I mean, look at the Illiad -- The Greeks versus the Trojans, right?   The
Greeks were referred to by what, four different names? (Argives, Myceneans,
Hellenes, Acheans) and Troy by at least two (Troy and Illium).  Now, to be
historically accurate, none of these are the "Official" names of these
people and places (although Achean and Illium are close).  The rest are
allusions to one thing or another made by a poet who lived hundreds of years
after the events - Argive, for example, should refer only to the people of
the city of Argos, but the name is used for everyone.

So what I'm saying is that there is no real need to restrict ourselves to a
specific mold.
If you want to use "Nordstoerra" in a song, great - if you want to refer to
"Ruaoland" or
to "Bitellus" (my personal favorites right now) cool.   If you want to make
something up - go for it (just be aware that calling a whole region by the
name of a single group is bound to get some backs up :) )    If that means
using Native imagery, or not, that's great too (anyone who wants to know my
feelings on the SCA's exclusion of  Native American stuff when Japanese,
etc. are allowed may want to take a look at old  archives of the Rialto, or
ask me off-list).  Why heck, even the "Lands of the
Blackwolfeaglestardragons" or whatnot's just a metaphor.  And if people
really like it, you'll hear it again, outside this list, and not just in
organized discussions.  The same really goes for symbols and symbology.  

If we're trying to explore northern identity, were way too early in the game
to even think about 
limiting ourselves to one person or another's view of that identity.  Over
time, with use, suggestions may even out, and should the principality thing
become a big issue at some point in the future,  it wouldn't be that big a
deal to select the more popular names actually in use and put *them* up for
a vote for the "Official" name.  And even then, that doesn't invalidate the
others for unofficial use.
It's a game - play with it.  Don't start getting all twisted and tight about
it *yet* -- there's plenty of time for that later.

Marc/Diarmaid

============================================================================
Go to http://lists.ansteorra.org/lists.html to perform mailing list tasks.
============================================================================
Go to http://lists.ansteorra.org/lists.html to perform mailing list tasks.