Belovia is an Expansion region system in the Ombakond sector. Its Galactic Senate representative is Vra Hil Lam. Republic Relief and Science forces intervened in 351ABY as the planet began to enter an Ice Age. Following extensive delays, the majority of the population was evacuated to the Yutan system, where they remain to this day.
Culture
Though the use of color has declined in recent years with the loss of essential dye crops and industrial facilities, familial colors remain important to Belovian culture. Those close enough to a spaceport or trader post will often prioritise the purchase of vibrant offworld dyes over more practical items of survival. Furthermore, with average temperatures declining with each passing year, the use of traditional dyed garb becomes more and more limited to the home or religious spaces, having to be hidden away with copious layers of warm clothing and equipment when stepping outside.
Excerpt: Tribal Wear: The Significance of Formal Clothing in Indigenous Species of the Republic by Arb L'Ersi
Despite increasing adverse climate change, Belovians have a rich and detailed culture long steeped in history. Valuing community and family over almost all other aspect, Belovians are found in closely knit settlements across the landmasses of the planet.
Whilst sustainable, most technological advances were introduced from offworld. Instead, these communities were dedicated to survival out on the ice sheets and barren tundras. Often, Belovians lived nomadically, moving between areas depending on the season, with a limited period of agriculture during the short and cold summers. These alternating settlements were well built, with permanent houses and communal facilities, most notably a church or shrine.
Due to the difficulty of survival on Belovia, education is not considered to be important, beyond fundamental writing and comprehension. Few Belovians leave the planet and are a rare sight in the wider Galaxy.
Religion
Let with a gladsome mind
Praise Bel Lyv Vna, for he is kind,
For mercies and sorrows endure,
Be ever faithful, ever sure.
Nameless Hymn, Unknown Author, Translated by Sum Tar Ihr
Since the oldest recorded texts, religion is the forefront of importance in all of Belovian culture and heritage. The deity, Bel Lyv Vna, for whom the planet is named, features heavily in all non-pragmatic texts, a common sight in local tales, legends and religious writing. There is no physical description of Bel Lyv Vna and they tend to be portrayed as neither gender, though examples of hymns cite them having 'hands' and 'eyes'. There is no pictorial indication of Bel Lyv Vna, even in holy buildings, instead choosing to use their name as a symbol of reverence.
Following the planet's descent into a devastating Ice Age that rendered much of the landmass uninhabitable, a story about Bel Lyv Vna began to circulate among the desperate and relocated populous. The story suggested that Bel Lyv Vna would return to rid the planet of ice and snow. Several natural disasters, such as earthquakes and avalanches, were attributed as proof to the story, causing severe delays to the Republic's efforts to evacuate the native population to neighboring Yutan.
Death and the Afterlife
"They were celebrating as if their team had just won the Greenputt Open Galactic Championship! I forgot it was a funeral, they were all smiling ear to ear. "
The Galactic Undertakers Podcast. Episode 112: 'Those that celebrate death'.
Unlike most cultures, Belovians don't see consider dying as 'Death', more a transition from 'being' to 'being with Bel Lyv Vna' like how one would visit a relative or a friend. As such Belovians take a celebratory approach to the passing of those they hold dear as being with Bel Lyv Vna in death is second only to the joy of serving Bel Lyv Vna in life.
It is believed that when a Belovian transitions between these two states, they are greeted at the threshold by Bel Lyv Vna herself. An actual physical threshold is inferred in some old Belovian texts, however this legend has never been substantiated.
Naming Conventions and Pronouns
"Is hard to say for certain," my companion Nui Jee Fan proffered. "Need to allow more time. Will the Bordok be suitable for?" I waited, as I often wait, for the end of the sentence to arrive, but no conclusion came. I sighed, but nodded.
"Yes, I'm fine with taking the Bordoks. Are you sure that I cannot convince you to use the speeder instead?" I replied, already feeling the sensation drain from my fingers at the thought of holding onto the reins for several hours through ice and sleet.
Nui smiled, but shook his head. "Is not so bad, yes? Cold is good for the spirit."
I resigned myself to follow him to the stables, dreaming of the heated seats of my dear Mark II Nexu Snowspeeder.
Excerpt: Belovians: Displaced or disowned? An Interview with the brave heros of Wik Pol settlement by Shole Layin
Belovian names have a distinct and consistent structure. Each name contains just one syllable denoted by three letters, though some texts choose to condense certain names using digraphs. Belovians are given a singular first name at two months old. They then adopt the given name of their mother and father to create their full name. Using a person's full name is used primarily in formal or sacred occasions.
In rare examples, a Belovian may carry only one or two names and is often an indication of exile. For those who do not know their parents, they will often supplement their given name with those of two significant individuals in their life.
Belovian settlements follow a similar naming convention, with two names of three letters. For modern facilities, the names will be given in honour of the most senior members and may be subject to change over time. During the Republic's relief efforts, science facilities were issued with codes alongside the local titles. Cities and permanent settlements have no historical figures associated with the names, such as the capital Heo Iwl.
Pronouns are a taboo topic in Belovian culture. Though the words denoting the self or others exist linguistically, such direct addresses are reserved for the god Bel Lyv Vna, who may be referred to using a variety of gendered and nongendered terms. The use of pronouns for other beings is used extremely infrequently and has denotations of respect akin to the God, reserved only for the most serious of situations. When speaking in Basic or other languages, Belovians will choose to omit the pronoun without adjusting the grammar of the sentence, as would happen in native Belovian, which can cause confusion for the unprepared visitor.
The Great Exile and Life on Yutan
"You must understand, Senators, that this drain on our people cannot continue! No, no, listen to me! We have supported the Belovians for over twenty years by now, with minimal Republic support and funds. These people do not work, they do not settle, they do not assimilate. Ask any one of them and they'll say that they will be back on Belovia soon. It's outright denial, Senators, and you are enabling it!"
Representative Alanik Sing of Yutan during his speech to the Galactic Senate on 378.24ABY
Following what was later dubbed The Great Exile, the evacuated Belovians were relocated to a series of refugee camps on Yutan. A mainly dry and desert world, the majority of the population struggled to adjust. To present, many of the camps are still operational and the Belovian population remains segregated from the Yutanese, with no resolution in sight.