Zebras: Their Land Culture and traditions

Yes after a good month I am finally writing my fanon ideas about the zebras.

Their Land

The Zebras live in Zebrica and are split into a small confederacy of different tribes. The wars that resulted out of their past have made each tribe very distrustful of the others and they frequently use intrigue to get their familial line into power or at least favor with the Lady of Zebrica. Their farming techniques are very much centered around farming practices that are subsistent in nature and a bartering system has been transplanted into their culture after repeated foreigners sent expeditions into the heart of Zebrica.

Their Rulers

The Zebrican tribes are ruled through a council of leaders that debate every measure that comes to their attention. The requirement for joining is very exclusive. There are only a few ways to gain membership into the Council.

1. Being related to the Lady of Zebrica in some way, shape or form. This method is the most common way to get in since all the "aristocracy" of Zebrica can trace their roots to the Lady of Zebrica. The zebras see the Lady as the supreme authority in their culture. (She is an immortal like the original Alicorns) and through her influence of being the birth mother of the state she is the head of their religion and is given outright power in times of extreme war crises.

2. The next way is to become a great warrior and slay the enemies of the nation. This is the main way commoners become very powerful because of the constant threat of war hanging over the heads of the Zebras with their neighbors surrounding their grasslands.

3. The final way is to ask for a chance to see the Lady. This is the most difficult way- not for the difficulty of seeing her for she holds court like the Princesses- but that this way causes her to waive your right of mental privacy and she gets to read all your sins and if she finds you lacking is righteousness or potential you are not able to use this method for advancement ever again.

The Shamans

The aristocracy of the Zebras is the shamans and they are related to the Lady as her daughters and sons. They are able to see spirits and talk to the dead, mix potions that are too volatile in the hands of non-shamans, they are the ambassadors to other lands, and they are able to channel magic through alchemy and geomancy.

They are trained in rhyme since most of their magic is based through that form of writing and as a result usually never speak outside of rhyme unless they are extremely agitated or some other extreme emotional state.

The most famous Shaman is the one that was sent to Equestria. Zecora the crown Princess of the Zebras. She is the most closely related to the Lady of Zebrica as she is the daughter of the Lad and was taught by her in the ways of magic.

Weapons

Use of weapons in the Zebrican culture is highly ceremonial and all weapons have a killing purpose as well. (All wepons that the Zebras use will be actual African weapons that were used throughout history.)

Spears, curved blades, and long shields that are worn on the back (my change) used as a defense against any attacks that are aimed towards the most vulnerable spot in the Zebras line of sight.

I might add more later (probably not) but here's all I got so far. Probably gonna use this in a story sooner or later.