This is insane
You know how must animals don’t look that different when they are infants to adults? Yeah, that. But then we get to animals such as insects and frogs. As you may (or may not) know, bugs start out as these worm-like things called larvae and when there’re adults, they become what we know them as. Same with frogs, but instead of being worm-like, they start as the fish-like tadpoles. What if the aliens we encounter work just like that? What if they start out as puffballs, worm-like, or something else and become a humanoid or something. And when we show them out young, they might be surprised (Assuming all life on their planet works that way).
So a xeno and a human male where in a bar talking about their species and looking at each other‘s photos.
Human: “And that’s my niece, Holly.”
Xeno: “She’s pretty small for an adult.” “Never knew your kind can get so small.”
Human: “No, no, no, she’s still a baby.”
Xeno: “Really?”
Human: “Yes.”
Xeno: “Well, that’s interesting, I thought your kids looked way different.” “Just look at my kids.”
The xeno then showed a picture of two light green, round, fluffy orb-like cretures with no showed facial features.
Xeno: “These two are my children, aren’t they cute?”
The human then looks surprised.
Human: “Ah… I guess…” “Can’t believe your kind looks like that.”
Xeno: “I’m just as surprised as you are.” “Now can I show you more of ‘em?”
Human: “Sure, why not…?”
(Yeah, I know the “Xeno and human talking and stuff” part isn’t the best example of writing, but hey, I tried. Please give me feedback so I can improve.)
@bananaruntz i think what sucks the most about it with xenofiction in particular is that when you have characters that are simultaneously nonhuman and anthropomorphic, it creates this issue where you're forced to accept any misogyny at face value and assume that it's just scientific accuracy, because nature CAN be notoriously unfair. it can't be denied that the females of many species get the shorter end of the stick, but way too many xenofiction authors seem to operate on the idea that this is innately true for the entire animal kingdom when it's just not. even if you are writing about a species where male animals generally dominate the hierarchy, that still shouldn't preclude you from being able to write well-rounded female characters, especially ones that aren't bound by suspiciously human misogynistic tropes.
xenofiction presents so so so many fascinating opportunities to really examine things like sexism and identity and biological determinism but it feels like no one has properly taken advantage of that yet. i am being so fucking serious when i say that xenofiction desperately needs a queer, trans, feminist upheaval.
The Clan Mother is very important in the role of Haudenosaunee culture. When the Peacemaker came to the warring people, it was a woman who first accepted Peacemaker’s vision of peace. Because of her vision the Peacemaker gave woman important duties in the Haudenosaunee, the Clan Mother
The Clan Mother is a leader not only of her clan, but of the nation as well. The Clan Mother selects their spokesman (Hoyane or Chief) to represent them in council. If their Hoyane doesn’t represent their clan, the Clan Mother has the authority to remove their leader as well after warnings. The Hoyane and the Clan Mother work together to best represent the people of her clan.
The family structure of the Haudenosaunee is primarily based on the clan system. Families start with a female ancestor with all those dwelling in her long house linking back to her. Each family was called the long house family with the Clan Mother as the head. All female descendents including her sisters, her sisters’ daughters, and their daughters would live in the long house their entire lives bringing their husbands to live with them.
Sons stayed in the same house with her until they married and moved into their wife’s house, though they would still be members of their mother’s long house and their loyalty would always go there first. Children all lived in the long house where they were surrounded by their family and could be taught by their elders. Every child was welcomed and cared for by its mother, mother’s sisters and their husbands.
Family structure today is more like the common nuclear family consisting of a mother, father and children. However, the Haudenosaunee still follow the traditional matriarchal structure with clans being passed down through their mother.
This thread about anti-indigenous racism in xenofiction is well worth a read (and some reflection).
@bananaruntz i think what sucks the most about it with xenofiction in particular is that when you have characters that are simultaneously nonhuman and anthropomorphic, it creates this issue where you're forced to accept any misogyny at face value and assume that it's just scientific accuracy, because nature CAN be notoriously unfair. it can't be denied that the females of many species get the shorter end of the stick, but way too many xenofiction authors seem to operate on the idea that this is innately true for the entire animal kingdom when it's just not. even if you are writing about a species where male animals generally dominate the hierarchy, that still shouldn't preclude you from being able to write well-rounded female characters, especially ones that aren't bound by suspiciously human misogynistic tropes.
xenofiction presents so so so many fascinating opportunities to really examine things like sexism and identity and biological determinism but it feels like no one has properly taken advantage of that yet. i am being so fucking serious when i say that xenofiction desperately needs a queer, trans, feminist upheaval.
Watching lion xenofiction and, why the most are literally copycats of the other? There's a lot of interesting things on lions life just to make the same thing over and over. And some of the "realistic behaviour" is not really realistic, is just a lot of misconceptions and stereotypes.
Just, Holy hell, i heard the entire story of the Mapogo lions coalition and why anybody writtes an story based on it? It's perfect, is HOLY SHIT like a xenofiction story actually happened. These lion coalitions have a LOT of potential to writte an story about it.
You’re a mimic. You were disguised as a chair in a dungeon when an adventurer decided to take you as loot. You’ve actually enjoyed your life ever since as furniture in a jolly tavern. So when some ruffians try to rob the now-elderly adventurer’s business, you finally reveal yourself.