Selenocysteine is the 21st amino acid with an anticodon for UGA. Normally that's a stop signal, but something brought you here anyways so, really, suprises are natural. Welcome to my journal about heritage, medicine, and being 20something years young. Yours, Dara-steine
My Lavellan inquisitor for DA is primarily inspired by both Tajik and Pamiri culture. Some would associate them being one of the same, but I disagree since linguistically and culturally, they’re not mutually exclusive due to the differences in the dialect despite them being Iranic languages.
The type of Pamiri ethnic group that I’m mostly basing her on is the Pamirs who live in Tashkurgan, which is an autonomous region in China. It used to be a part of Tajikistan, but the president there actually sold that portion of that land because he’s a pos (long story). Unfortunately in Tajikistan, Pamirs are treated aren’t treated very well. Most of them are separated into rural areas, so in a country that is already poor, they live in places that is worser than the country’s current economic conditions. The president, not too long ago, actually sent troops to some of the cities in Tajikistan, and genocided the innocent Pamiris living there. So, they’re often targets for persecution. :/
Despite their difficult conditions in their native country, their culture is very colorful and beautiful. In Tashkurgan, based on my observations, red seems like a very prominent color in most of their clothing. For us in Tajikistan, red symbolizes triumph, victory, but also the color of the sky during sunrise.
They wear these skull caps that most Central Asians wear, which are referred to as “tubeiteikas.” Most tubeiteikas have floral patterning on them in various colors. Braids are also very prominent in their culture, as they are Iranic (but the Turkic cultures in Central Asia, also wear braids). Not too sure on its symbolism in Iranic culture, but it’s worth noting that you do have to braid your hair during dances. Typically in most dancing attire, you wear tubeiteikas, braids, a chakan dress, and veils.
Afghanistan lies just a short walk across a bridge over the Panj River from the Afghan Market on the Tajik side of the border. Afghan market vendors walk their goods across the village from their nearby home villages on the other side of the river.
Farangis Sultani is one of two midwives at Badakhshan province’s Shatak village medical clinic. She says helping women – and saving lives – “is an honor for me, for the people who trained me, and for my family.”