RESOL’NARE 2/6 – SPEAK THE LANGUAGE:
– Again, the Mandalorian faith is not about cosplaying. Mando’a is a fictional language which cannot fully express the wide range of conversation present in modern languages. Within Star Wars, the history of Mando’a is as a language which has lasted for millenia with relatively little change, and this language serves as a common unifying core. However, in modern times, there are many unclear aspects of mando’a which individuals who do speak it disagree on, and consequently speaking mando’a often serves to divide Mandalorians rather than to bring them together, as Mandalorians try and showcase their expertise to one another while others struggle to understand.
While knowing Mando’a may help enhance your practice as a Mandalorian, “Speaking the Language” goes beyond this for us. Mandalorians are renowned for both their prowess and their sense of honor. For us, Speaking the Language is about being true and honorable in your words and deeds.
The Way recognizes that The Way may look different for different people but is still The Way.
o Respect your enemies. If they are worth being your enemy, then you should not seek to degrade them. By degrading them you only degrade your own value in victory or defeat. If your enemies are not worth anything, then you should not trouble yourself in considering them an enemy.
o Live with honor & dignity; do not be a braggart. If you have the capability, you do not need to brag about it, and by bragging about what you are capable, you give your enemy knowledge about how to counter you.
Clear and Honorable Communication: When communicating with your clan, other Mandalorians, or honorable warriors, use clear, direct, and purposeful communication. Your actions speak louder than your words, and others’ actions speak louder than their words. Your words and actions should match your intent, except when you are deliberately trying to fool your enemies. If your actions and words are not having the desired effect that matches your intent, change them to be more effective, or change your intent. Always try to discern the intent of others.
“The Way is Many Ways,” or “The Way is to find Your Way.” The Hindu call the expression of the way their ‘marga,’ which is how to personally practice in a meaningful style while maintaining your path within The Way. If a teaching does not match with your own experience or belief, you are expected to challenge it. The Way should match with the Resol’nare, but your and your clan’s interpretation should match what is in your own heart. Be wary of those who preach The Way as “Official,” “Original,” “The One True Way,” or “The Only Way” and disparage others’.
The Ways of a Mandalorian (suggested methods of walking in The Way); these are NOT mutually exclusive.
– The Way of the Helmet
– The Way of the Sword
– The Way of the Artisan
– The Way of the Hunter
– The Way of the Teacher
Left of The Way: You avoid conflict, seeking only to protect what you think you have. Your actions are weak, unsure, timid, or avoidant. You may be slow to act or not act at all. You may freely give away your thoughts and emotions to othes around you. You may be unaware or avoidant of danger and conflict.
Right of The Way: Where you cannot find conflict, you will make it. Your actions are rash or poorly thought out. You may be rash, a braggart, or cause internal strife due to your actions. You are impatient with rest, overly eager for a fight, and unwilling to listen to logic except for the purpose of argument.
Above The Way: You are overly flowery or ostentatious, and believe those who do not fit your mold are not worthy of consideration; you will then try and force your will and behavior patterns onto them. Your actions are conniving, disdainful, excessively judgemental, or arrogant. You may be slow to act. You may be overly concerned with appearance and presentation.
Below The Way: Often a reaction to those Above The Way, you present with no regard for personal appearance, or your actions are intentionally designed to be sinister or frightening. Your actions are barbarous, excessively belligerent, blood thirsty, or self-destructive. You place function over form and may have little interest in beauty or design. You may actively bully others or prey on those you perceive as weaker than you.
o It is your duty to prevent those who are not of your creed from controlling your actions or those of other Mandalorians. For that reason, your privacy and that of other Mandalorians should be defended.
o On taking a Mandalorian Name: It is your choice on if you wish to take a Mandalorian name or use a Mando’a pseudonym. Such a practice is encouraged, but not required. Generally a clan is named after the clan name of its first leader, but how you pick your name is part of your Way.
o Clan/Family names should be unique and distinguishable, and the symbols and designs used by each clan should also be unique.
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