Neo-Orcism
The Neo-Orcish Movement began in Erothena in the early 2010s, formed around important cultural thinkers like Garesh Yokar. With entire generations of orcs born away from their traditional homelands and raised with the Republics Elven National ideology it had become a real fear that Orcish culture might die out, compounded by the emerging megacorps like Korerida rapidly competing out and removing the remaining traditional ranchers.
Members of the movement compiled as many histories, traditions, mythology and art as they could find to educate especially the Orcish youth in their history. Youth centres, museums, and even sports teams among other organizations were created in the name of the Neo-Orcish movement to create and strengthen their revived national identity. There was also an attempt to revitalize the Orcish language which was largely unsuccesful, by 2068 only about 8% of Orcs can speak it fluently and fewer speak it as their native language.
The early movement was allied with similar groups protecting other minority identities like the Dwarven Cultural Union. They were all part of the wider left counter culture of the early 21st century that opposed High Elven hegemony and the growing power of the megacorps. But after Garesh’ death in 2022 the movement splintered with the new mainstream consolidating around Buneveka Opoare who distanced herself from the socialists and began emphasizing different traits of what was called the “Orcish Character”.
Tribal differences were downplayed in favour of the idea of a singular Neo-Orcish culture that focused on their military history. To be an Orc was to be a warrior, a loyal and fearless member of their great community. The Neo-Orcs presented themselves as an essential part of Elven culture and history rather than in opposition to it.
Gyatäy
The 2030s saw the beginning of the Gyatäy, a new tradition in which young orcs were sent to the homelands to spend a few months a year living the traditional life and learning their rituals and history from the orcs still living there. The farmers and ranchers are paid to provide for these youths while also getting to make use of them as unpaid labour which has become a vital income to prevent their bankruptcy in the face of megacorp pressure. But they are in turn pressured by the Gyatäy organizers to provide the “correct” traditional views. Ironically, parts of traditional Orcish culture has been permanently lost as it has been replaced by the Neo-Orcish ideology.