The Chalai Template:Pronounced are a people who lived in the eastern-most reaches of historical Razgovir, now Talam Galta, who have long been renowned as skilled equestrians. Though their traditional ways were suppressed under Koritanite rule, they have found themselves in a cultural resurgence within revolutionary Talamite society.
History
The Chalai claim to be the descendants of targai tribes who left the Aban Steppe and migrated west thousands of years ago - outside accounts of their presence in Razgovir would seem to support this origin.
Due to both their religious beliefs and the tribal nature of the society, the Chalai were persecuted under Koritanite rule, their traditional practices outlawed. As with others who found themselves mistreated by their new Malavischan overlords, many of the Chalai kept these old ways alive in secret, though more successfully than most due to the remoteness of their settlements and their long-standing separation from broader Razgoviri society. When the Talamite revolutionary war broke out in Y9956*, nearly all the Chalai joined with the forces of the rebellion, lending their expertise with horse-mounted combat to build a strong cavalry for the nascent nation. Since then they have enjoyed prestige and relative prosperity in Talam Galta, with quite a few finding their way into political positions in the new state - for example, as of Y9976* the current First Speaker of Talam Galta, Tanek Macer, is Chalai.
Location
Traditionally the Chalai lived in the northern reaches of what is now Talam Galta, between River Athea and River Timok. Though they still maintain many villages in their old territory, forced resettlement under the Koritanite regime drove many south into the plains around Rusen.
Demographics
Culture
Religion
Centering around a reverence for heroic deceased horsemen, Chalai faith bears many similarities to Thadrian hero-worship - these past heroes are given offerings and prayer in the hope they will intercede in the affairs of the living. Though these beliefs outwardly declined greatly under Koritan, they have returned in independent Talam Galta. Still, Koritan did provide significant religious influence to the Chalai, as many are now devoted followers of the Chaskan goddess Marya as well. Much fewer in number are the Chalai who now worship Malavisch.
Society
Chalai life centers around their herds of horses, kept communally by each village. Both animal and rider train continuously - the Chalai are widely regarded as having the finest horses and equestrians west of the Aban Steppe.
Language
Though nearly all Chalai speak Razgovir as a first or only language, their dialect is distinct from those around them, bearing a sizable vocabulary derived from the Targai language.