Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 5:22 am Post subject: What is it to be Mandalorian?
Kire DuHai Ruckus Clan Mercenary
Joined: 02 Jun 2007 Posts: 14
I'm new to this particular site, but I am an old hand at being a mandalorian. I just wanted to start this topic to ask this great question of you all:
What does it mean to you to be a Mandalorian?
I think it is very important that this be very clear. If our identities as mando'ade are unclear, then how can we ever be united? I'm not saying this to challenge anyone, only to make you all think. How is it that you can tell a mando'ad from any commoner on the street? What gives us that distinguishing mark? What makes us any different? If you profess yourself to be a mando'ad, you must first know what makes you one. Here is where we can discuss just what that is, making clear to those who don't know, and affirming those who do.
Oya Manda!
-Kire Du'Hai
Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 6:07 am Post subject:
JimFett Ruckus Clan Leader
Joined: 25 Apr 2007 Posts: 65
I basically think that to be a Mandalorian IN THE WORLD WE LIVE IN, one must behave in an honorable fashion at all times. You must have all of your affairs in order. You must be dedicated to being the absolute best that you can be at whatever you do. You must treat others with respect, and accept nothing less than respect from others in regards to the way you are treated. It's a semi-new movement for me, so I'll post more as it comes to me ...
By all means, everyone else chime in...
Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 1:46 am Post subject:
Kire DuHai Ruckus Clan Mercenary
Joined: 02 Jun 2007 Posts: 14
I was hoping to have a few more replies before I posted again, but oh well. Let me see if I can make clear some of my opinions on what it means to be a mando'ad.
A warrior, quite literally, is one who makes war. But though I tend to be an overly literal person, I don't like to simplify it like that.
Being a warrior does not mean you can fight. It means you do fight. It's not the feats on the battlefield that make one a warrior, but the feats you make both on and off it. It's not an occupation; it's a lifestyle. It's taking hold of a cause and constantly fighting for it, whether it be in battle, in work, in play, in rest, or even in your own mind. It's applying the fight for this cause in every aspect of your life. In every action, asking, "How, as a warrior, should I do this?" Now there are good and evil warriors, of course, but by adhering to the mando values, and to each other, our cause is just. In every action, ask yourself, "How, as a mando'ad, should I do this?" From the simplest of tasks -"How should I apply myself at school/work today?" Answer? "To the best of my ability. Why should I do less?" to the more grand -"Should I risk my life for my vode?" Answer? "Rang yes!" That is what a warrior is. And that is how you should apply mando values to your life.
Honesty should be a huge part of mando life. Mando'ade are a blunt people, and don't generally spend long working around saying something honest. Not to say that we should be insulting, but that in everything we should be completely honest and up-front, even our mistakes. This encourages us to try and remain above reproach, because if everyone expects you to be honest, any dirt they find on you will have ten times the effect. So in everything, hold your integrity as precious.
I should probably mention practicality as a mando trait. Mando'ade are very practical in all dealings, not bothering with pomp, ceremony, red tape, aesthetics or such things often. That is not to say that we are not to appreciate beauty, or value tradition, but that we are simply to remain practical. For example, it is traditional for men to fight wars while women defend and hold together the homestead. This is fine and neither task is less honorable. This tradition came because the different genders are better suited to those tasks. It is, thus, practical. It is not practical, however, for a widower to leave his children without a defender, nor a woman without a family to tend to sit idle while the men go off to war. In such cases the man would stay at home while the woman went to war. There are always exceptions. In another example, aliit ori'shya tal'din is a practical saying. Seriously, why should blood have any impact on who a person is?
But what of loyalty? This most important aspect of being a mando'ad cannot be stressed enough. Never forsake your vode in anything. Even when you disagree or are upset with them, your loyalty to them should never break. This loyalty includes not just willingness to fight for your vode, but to exhort, build up, and encourage your vode in every possible way. To break each other down is forsaking that loyalty, and it wounds not just that one vod, but all of us. Forever remain each other's encouragers, and build each other up to the best of your ability.
That's all I've got for now, but feel free to say more. If you've got any questions, comments, insertions/deletions/addendums, post away. I think this topic's kind of important, so I'd like to get it moving as best I can.
Oya Manda!
-Kire Du'Hai
Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 3:37 am Post subject:
Crixler Ruckus Clan Mercenary
Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 33 Location: Washington
*Claps* Vor entye, Kir'ika! That sums it up very well... I may have to quote you some time! XD _________________ Ke nu jur'kad sha Mando'ade, burcya!
Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 5:44 pm Post subject:
JimFett Ruckus Clan Leader
Joined: 25 Apr 2007 Posts: 65
Sorry I haven't been on as much, Duhai. I'm getting ready for a training TDY and then a deployment overseas. I have been rather busy. I am liking your enthusiasm and your contribution to the group thus far. Keep it up!
Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 1:11 am Post subject:
Kire DuHai Ruckus Clan Mercenary
Joined: 02 Jun 2007 Posts: 14
Goodness, vod, you have no need to apologize for your responsibilities, I assure you. Take all the time you need. But by all means, everyone else throw your own two cents in. I think it's important to gain a broad perspective.
Oya Manda!
-Kire Du'Hai
Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:24 am Post subject:
Brokar Darasuum Ruckus Clan Mercenary
Joined: 19 Mar 2008 Posts: 25 Location: Southern CA
Eloquent as usual, Kire. I would like to stress the point that in everyday activities, one should view them from a Mandalorian perspective. Not just, "How, as a warrior, should I do this," but "How, as a Mando'ad, should I do this." But that means accepting the consequences as well as the rewards. Mandalorians should not shift blame when we err; we should own up to our own mistakes and rectify them through strength of mind and body.
Speaking of which, physical fitness is (not should be; IS) a vital part of being Mandalorian, as it should be for anyone. In fiction, Mandalorians were the strongest fighting force because, like the Spartans and the Samurai, they refused to give in. They were the best because they had the greatest willpower, and the greatest way to build mental toughness is to first build physical toughness.
These are some of my thoughts. I always appreciate respones, critiques, etc.
Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 2:28 pm Post subject:
Kire DuHai Ruckus Clan Mercenary
Joined: 02 Jun 2007 Posts: 14
Quote:
that means accepting the consequences as well as the rewards. Mandalorians should not shift blame when we err
Couldn't be said truer, burcya.
About physical fitness, let me present my own perspective, though.
As a mando'ad, it is your responsibility to defend your family, your people, and your values to the best of your ability. To not endeavor to maintain the best preparedness to do so (this including physical fitness) is shirking that responsibility.
But, there are those few who are genuinely limited in their physical peaks through various maladies. If such a person wants to be better prepared to defend those under their protection, they'd do so better by exercising their minds more than their bodies. Not that their bodies should be ignored, of course. It would be pretty poor planning to spend your time being the best mando'ad mentally speaking that you can, only to drop dead of a heart attack because of poor diet and exercise.
Anyway, there's my addendum. I hope it was enlightening.
Oya Manda!
-Kire Du'Hai
Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 6:18 am Post subject:
Brokar Darasuum Ruckus Clan Mercenary
Joined: 19 Mar 2008 Posts: 25 Location: Southern CA
Great point, I agree whole-heartedly on all points, especially the failure to meet one's duty by not mainting physical fitness. You bring up an interesting issue about actual inability, though. This might be off topic some, but I've often wondered (and come up with no solution) what responsbilities lie with those who have a handicap, especially if it's a mental one. For example, to what extent can a person with severe Down's Syndrome by held accountable for their acts? This applies to more than just Mandalorians, but to put it in a cultural perspective, what is expected of them by our standards? I have few, if any, thoughts on the matter myself that aren't more questions. _________________ Verd ori'shya beskar'gam.
Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 1:49 pm Post subject:
Kire DuHai Ruckus Clan Mercenary
Joined: 02 Jun 2007 Posts: 14
When it comes to Down's, as I understand it, it's true debilitation lies in communication. It doesn't reduce the actual processing power of the mind, only the ability to comprehend and interpret language, both verbal and bodily. Thus, they are incredibly difficult to communicate with, let alone determine if they're mandos. They should be protected like all life, but holding them responsible for their actions is tough, since it's hard to figure out what for what reason they even acted. You can't even recognize that the reason they smacked you is because there was a bug on your arm, or because they were frustrated that they couldn't tell you there was. You have to play it by ear.
What's expected of those with disabilities, I think, should be exactly what is expected of all: Their level best. As for accountability, they of course must be held accountable. But with mental issues, it's hard to figure out what to hold them accountable for. Was it an accident? Hallucination? Mistake? Innocent until proven guilty, by rule of thumb. And the thumb rules ALL.
But... I think we're wandering just a teensy bit off topic, so... what's it mean to be a mando'ad?
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