Montanarans
 | This page is currently undergoing major reconstruction in accordance with broader lore changes. |
Montanaro is an umbrella term for the various Slavic tribes inhabiting the of the eastern highlands of Pelaxia. The Pelaxian term Montanaro literally means mountaineer, and is not only used to refer to the ethnic group but also to ethnic Pelaxians who've migrated to live in the highland regions. Montanaros themselves identify as the specific Montanaro clan they originate from, usually named after the patronymic founder of the tribe, largest of the clans being the Ucarisa clan.
 Montanaros clad in traditional clothing | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 29,540,590 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Eastern Pelaxia | |
| Languages | |
| Montanaro, Pelaxian | |
| Religion | |
| Predominantly Catholicism |
While most Montanaros live in the eastern highlands, many Montanaros over time since the 18th century have migrated down from the highlands to the more arable flatlands near the western coast. With the industrial development of Pelaxia, also many Montanaros have left the region to other parts of Pelaxia after employment of education, with Montanaro communities in other parts of Pelaxia not being an unusual sight. Largest Montanaro communities outside of the eastern highlands are in Valariano, where they've found success in the shipbuilding industry. The Montanaros language is a topic of debate in Pelaxia, with Montanaros demanding it to be recognised as an official language and granted the protections it brings. Linguistically, as well as genetically, Montanaros are related closest to Volonians, and many Montanaro separatists believe the Montanaro region should be part of Volonia.
History
| | This page is currently undergoing major reconstruction in accordance with broader lore changes. |
The Montanaros have co-existed with their neighbours with limited contact, with archaeological sites finding evidence of both Vsikite and Pelaxian items in the historical Montanaro regions. Due to the mountainous regions and the lack of arable land, Montanaros for long carried on with their hunter gatherer lifestyles, with only limited agriculture in the areas in the fringes of the mountainous regions. Little is known about the history of the Montanaros due to literacy being practically nonexistent to the people prior to the establishment of the Carto-Pelaxian Commonwealth in 1615 and their efforts to integrate Montanaros into the Republic. Most Montanaro history comes from Pelaxian sources, with much of the history being mythical oral tradition gathered by Fulvio Pisani in the 17th century.
Following the foundation of the mines in the Montanaro region in the 19th century, Pelaxians started migrating to the region en masse. Many Montanaros had to abandon their traditional lifestyle due to the mines established and the eventual forest industry making their traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle near impossible in parts of the region, causing much friction between the Pelaxians and Montanaros. As a result of this, in the early 20th century Montanaros started to create a distinct Montanaro culture from Pelaxians, which in modern day has caused demands for their recognition as an ethnic group, their own language and even autonomy in Pelaxia.