House Saladin
History
Saleem Saladin, first of his name, was the cousin of one of the past princes- his mother was sister to the eldest prince. The Saladin family hails from royalty and has not forgotten- they will not let anyone else forget it either. The Saladin line begins with Saleem because it was with him (and his father) that the Saladin line branched out and separated from the royal line. House Saladin is one of the oldest families in Amol-Kalit. Throughout the ages, they have managed their wealth well enough for them to stay prosperous and growing, always at the right hand of the royal family, even as it changed and the crowns passed to different families.
As for the Saladin family, they have prospered through the years. Saleem had three children and his eldest son two, and so forth (see family tree). A significant event that happened in their history is more recent: Hakim, the current Saladin patriarch, is the only surviving son of his parents. His two younger brothers and younger sister all died. His brothers died in an accident and his sister died after a sickly, ill existence for the first two years of her life. All the hope of carrying on the line rested on him, and that is in part a reason why he has so many children now. The birth of a girl as his first-born was a hard blow, and he made sure he had plenty of sons to take over should one or two of them die. Having a rather ruthless outlook on the passing on of titles, he has received some flack from his parents and other family members, but as his children grew up, their criticism has slowed.
As for the Saladin family, they have prospered through the years. Saleem had three children and his eldest son two, and so forth (see family tree). A significant event that happened in their history is more recent: Hakim, the current Saladin patriarch, is the only surviving son of his parents. His two younger brothers and younger sister all died. His brothers died in an accident and his sister died after a sickly, ill existence for the first two years of her life. All the hope of carrying on the line rested on him, and that is in part a reason why he has so many children now. The birth of a girl as his first-born was a hard blow, and he made sure he had plenty of sons to take over should one or two of them die. Having a rather ruthless outlook on the passing on of titles, he has received some flack from his parents and other family members, but as his children grew up, their criticism has slowed.
Traditions
Perhaps the biggest tradition carried on through the generations was the heir system. Though some other Kaliti families view it as unfair or even harsh, it is in part to explain how they have managed to last so long. The eldest son takes on the family's name. Though there is a history in Hakim's family of being descended of the youngest sons, his cousins have let the name and their own personal wealth slip. Hakim's ruthlessness allowed him to succeed where most of his family began to fail, and so that puts him at the head of House Saladin. His cousin's families are in debt to him, and so he keeps them under his thumb, using political tactics traditional to the warring noble families of Amol-Kalit.
Men are viewed as the inheritors and heads of the family, while a woman's job is to marry for her family's advantage and help extend her husband's line. Despite this biased perspective, women have a different sort of power than men that they can use to their own advantage.
When it comes to marriages, the Saladins look at it from a very political/powerful perspective. The marriages are nearly always arranged by the bride and groom's parents, and rarely do couples marry for love. The bride's family provides a dowry to the groom's family. The wedding takes place in the bride's home.
(to be added to)
Men are viewed as the inheritors and heads of the family, while a woman's job is to marry for her family's advantage and help extend her husband's line. Despite this biased perspective, women have a different sort of power than men that they can use to their own advantage.
When it comes to marriages, the Saladins look at it from a very political/powerful perspective. The marriages are nearly always arranged by the bride and groom's parents, and rarely do couples marry for love. The bride's family provides a dowry to the groom's family. The wedding takes place in the bride's home.
(to be added to)
Family Tree
