Culture
The Ra-tor are a culture of diplomats and spies. They are known for very level headed and practical outlooks on complex situations. An axiom from all their neighbors is "to see a Ra-tor flag on a cloudy day is a relief, when it is still flying on a sunny day, worry".
While they are known for being diplomats, their spy craft is second to none.
Family
Ra-tor family units are usually very extensive and families trace their lineage through names. To truly differentiate individuals compounding names from four or five generations is normal.
Blood ties are considered less important than loyalty. Children can be stripped of their full names leaving what is called a ngo-tsu tanif or naked name
Names
Male names tend to end in vowels and female in consonants.
A male example is Melu, the given name of a great political theorist whose works are relevant even in modernity despite their age.
A female example is Tumeng, the given name of a master biochemist who specialized in blood diseases.
Formal names
Should the two mentioned above have a daughter Olrin and a son Teke, their full names would be Tumengolrinmelu and Tumengtekemelu respectively. To use someone's full name is considered extremely formal or condescending depending on the situation.
Semi-formal or Title names
For something more equating to Mr. Ms. you use the same gendered parents name in conjunction with the given name. These names are also used in titles.
E.x. Tumengolrin and Tekemelu
Informal names
To create a somewhat more familiar name taking bits from all three names or just the same gendered parents. So Tumengolrinmelu can become Mengolrin, Ngolrin, Ngolme, and many other variations. Usually, the Ra-tor individual will give you this name and does not require permission to use but is usually better to wait some time before using it.
Personal names
To use a given name without permission is considered highly offensive. Use of this name is given out very selectively. Sometimes written permission is given and is also considered an intimate gesture even sometimes romantic.
Naming Principles
When naming a child, it is considered vain and tacky to give the child one of the parents' names directly. For example, if Teke had a son, he would not name him Teke otherwise it would create a redundancy (i.e. Teketeke). Reduplication is considered ugly in Ra-tor culture and is avoided at all costs. There is a phrase "To utter a word once gives it life. To say it again removes the soul"
According to some rumors, the Ra-tor have specialized codenames and/or nicknames that only insiders of the family use to designate one another, but such rumors have yet to be substantiated.
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