Went to Galveston this weekend from the 6th to the 9th. Bionicle turns 25 this year. It'll be Bionicle day in a few days. Perfect opportunity to bring some of my figures along to take pictures for the occasion and also take them where they feel more at home.
Day 3 at Galveston. Turaga Vakama and Turaga Nokama on the shores of Mata Nui. The Turaga, and, later on, the Matoran, on the shore of Mata Nui.
Here's the first part: https://www.tumblr.com/ba-matorangirl/824577356549259264/went-to-galveston-this-weekend-from-the-6th-to-the?source=share
In the cold wastes of the Northern Continent abode a small village of Ko-Matoran, nestled high in the icy peaks of the central range. During the bitter months of midwinter, they rarely saw another living being save for the Razor Elk who made their homes in the mountains… and once a year, on the darkest and coldest night of winter, Nicolis.
The Razor Elk were hardly a surprising sight… a favorite prey of the Muaka who roamed the drifts, they used their knife-sharp limbs to climb the steep sides of glaciers and escape to higher ground. Nicolis, on the other hand, was a Ta-Matoran, hardly suited for the cold. While his Kaukau’s visor shielded him from the worst of the frozen winds, he could hardly hope to cross the wastes on foot. And so, in order to bring food and gifts to his lonely brothers once every year, he had done what many considered impossible… befriended a Razor Elk and rode it across the snowdrifts, risking his life to make sure the villagers knew that despite the cold and the dark, the Great Spirit assured them that light and joy would always return.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, Gathered Friends
PLEASE READ: There's probably some confusion as to why no one could find this post...well, the short version is, it was a casualty when I was cleaning out my old drafts, but instead of being in the "drafts" mass editor section, I was in the "posts" section...and deleted. So. Many. Posts. Without realizing till it was too late. I'm STILL so mad about that.
Thankfully this was saved in a Word document, and I just got a comment asking about it from the original requester! So here it is again! HUGE apologies for any confusion, I did not delete this on purpose, it was such a stupid mistake of being in the WRONG SECTION during spring cleaning. Ugh...
Anyways, enjoy!
This continuation goes out to @lordjasonryder, who requested Ta dietary and culinary headcanons! These particular HCs expand more into their farming and cultivation habits and trade as well!
The Ta-Matoran and fire tribe are perhaps regarded as one of the staple tribes for cuisine, soil treatment, and creative cooking methods. Under the cut since it's long!
HCs regarding the Ta-Matoran diet, trade, and crops can be found under the cut!
The Ta tribe is responsible for perhaps the largest production of fertile soil on Mata-nui. Their close quarter to a volcano gives them prime real-estate access to some of the richest soil on the island, as well as resources to artificially create and customize soil types for specific crops and plants, of which they sell to the other five tribes.
Lava Farming is not just utilized for harvesting metal-rich lava for crafting tools and other metal-smithing material; it’s also the key to the largest contribution of fertile soil. Very small lava trenches are dug out and lead to compost pits to be carefully and strategically burned and mixed with a base soil to create different kinds of soil that is usually reserved for crops.
Because of their proximity to such good soil, the Ta people have some of the richest crops around, but their fields are small due to a not having a close and consistent water source.
The Ta region works closely with the Onu tribe bio-engineers and chemists to coordinate and formulate various soil recipes that cater to different crops. From soil to give the biggest wheat yield, to more gentle soils for house plants, the soil industry is theorized to have been the root of many treaties between the Onu and Ta tribes throughout history.
In relation to their soil cultivation, the Ta-Matoran Lava Farmers will often have experience and training in crop-wide burnings and will offer this service to farmers outside their own region.
This part of their occupation is defined as a Ta-Matoran as “having received training to create, redirect, start and stop controlled burns exclusive to crop lands to enhance the bounty of the soil without causing damages or harm to nearby structures and individuals (Matoran or Rahi or flora not prescribed for burning).”
These prescribed crop burns are almost exclusively run by the Lava Farmers due to their experience in carefully managing controlled burns and soil quality control. If a farmer in or outside the Ta region have fields that need rejuvenating and nutrients reintroduced back into the soil, you go to the Lava Farmers and coordinate a prescribed burn.
Prescribed burns are also given to forests that are becoming too crowded or even diseased, but it is more often used for farmlands. Lava Farming is far from all Lava Farmers do.
The Ta tribe is famous for their pepper plantations, which make up roughly 40% of their cropland. They are rivaled only by the Ga and Ko tribes for their tolerance for spicy foods. Supposedly their unrivaled peppers gain their signature heat due to being planted so close to the volcano (some might good-naturedly argue it’s because they take on their planter’s personality).
Ironically enough, the majority of their peppers are sweet (similar to bell peppers), while perhaps a quarter of their peppers are hot, spicy, or both.
Their hottest pepper – The Kanohi Dragon’s Tongue, or sometimes called Kurahk’s Heart – is a vivid purple and has a Scoville unit score of over 22 billion. It gets its name for its long, tongue-like shape with a split tip, and the fact that it’s been compared to a Kanohi Dragon’s fire. Its secondary name is colloquial and came about when a taster compared it to the wrath of the Rahkshi, Kurahk.
There are at least a dozen pepper varieties exclusive to the Ta region of Mata-nui, but there also exists a fair few other Ta regions outside of Mata-nui that also have their own exclusive pepper genus’.
Though it has been tried in the past, these region-exclusive peppers cannot be grown outside of the Ta regions; specifically, they cannot thrive in anything but pure volcanic soil. Attempts to grow them in anything else or even relocated volcanic soil have resulted in the crop dying after its first sprout. No one is entirely sure why this is as, despite mimicking a volcanic environment near perfectly, they never thrive.
Due to the above issue, many laws have been passed that protect these pepper crops. It is illegal to transport a live pepper plant exclusive to the Ta region, and it is illegal to try and plant the peppers, their seeds, or a relocated plan or trimming outside the Ta region. Due to their exclusivity, the peppers themselves are very scarce, and are now almost entirely reliant on Matoran cultivation to even grow. Very few of these peppers are found in the wild now due to generations of manmade cultivation.
Perhaps second only to their soil cultivation is the Ta region’s meat smoking. Many would argue that no one does smoked meats like the Ta tribe, and they are perhaps rivaled only by their Ko and Ga neighbors.
Ta smoking is considered its own science and is taken just as seriously as mathematical formulas and mask/tool making. Spices, herbs, rubs, marinades, fruits and vegetables, wood types, coal use, drying techniques, even the type of smoker and smokehouse used are taken into heavy consideration for smoking and preserving.
Every smokehouse in the Ta region keeps their recipes under heavy lock and key, and the only way one will ever learn these recipes is if the smokers pass the recipes down to their children, close relatives, or (though rarely) a trusted successor outside the immediate family. Not a single smoke house has the same smoking recipe, and it is considered a great offence if it is suspected someone is trying to mimic or even steal a recipe or method.
A smokehouse can even take another to a legal battle if they suspect they are trying to mimic or steal a recipe or technique, and the accusation will be taken seriously. There is a whole legal category for these particular and similar situations.
Of course, there are “common” means of smoking simple meats, which is shared across the industry. These techniques are unanimously agreed upon as being “open secret” recipes and methods, and therefore cannot be contested as being stolen or mimicked.
There is a sense of community and even loyal patriotism among the smoking community, and in fact, it is considered an insult if you go to anyone but your regular smokehouse. Exception is given if you are given a recommendation by the smokehouse owner to go to another one if you are looking for something very specific, or if they are completely sold out and you need this meat quick.
If you go to another smokehouse without this unofficial blessing, that smokehouse will do one of two things: they will either not serve you, or if they do, they will tell your regular place that you “cheated”, and odds are, that establishment will never serve you again. The Ta-Matoran smokehouses take their trade VERY seriously, and a grudge can be held for generations to come.
When it comes to smoking and preserving, there is a heavy and (mostly) friendly rivalry going on between the Ta and Ko tribes, both who pride themselves on their meat preservation and quality.
Ta-Matoran have an extremely high tolerance for heat and spice (these two flavor profiles are considered exclusive but can work in combination, but they are two distinct profiles) but interestingly enough, most Ta-Matoran will prefer savory, sweet, or even mildly flavored food over spicy or hot.
Ta-Matoran take spices very seriously, especially if the spices came from their region.
Dried peppers, pepper flakes, powders, soup/stew bases, rubs, marinades, teas and other spice blends all undergo heavy quality control after harvesting and during processing and are grown in their region alongside their peppers.
Most of their cultivation income comes from the import and selling of individual or bulk peppers and certain spices.
Few of their herbs and spices are used in medicines, but there is a niche market for a few of their “hot” herbs to help with chills and low body temperatures.
Ta-Matoran primarily roast, bake, grill, or smoke their food.
The famous method of Ta-Matoran kiln baking is unmatched across Mata-nui. Ta-Matoran construct their own stone kilns as part of a semi-outdoor kitchen. These kilns will cook anything from bakery items, to meats, stews, skillet dishes, and husk-wrapped dishes.
Similar to the Tamale, Ta-Matoran have a common staple food that requires the husk of a plant (usually a corn husk, hardy palm husk, or coconut husk) stuffed with meat, vegetables, spices and herbs, and set into a hot kiln just along the edge to cook over a few minutes to a few hours depending on the content and husk.
All three meal types can be made in these husks: Eggs and sausage for breakfast, vegetables and lean meat for lunch, and any mix-and-match variety for dinner. Desserts can even be made in them by stuffing the husks with berries and other fruits with sugar and cinnamon!
Pit baking is commonly used by the Ta-Matoran, though it is generally only done when a Matoran is feeding multiple people or hosting a party or event. Pit baking requires a large pit, as its name suggests, and a lot of hot coals. It also requires a large and often very heavy cast iron pot with a lid to put food in and keep dirt out. Pit baking takes hours in this way, but smaller pit baking equipment can be purchased or commissioned for personal use; cooking time is significantly shorter in this case.
No Ta-Matoran home is complete without at least one pit grill. These grills are composed of two parts: a medium to large, shallow pit for coals and firewood, and a grill grate that will fit over it without falling in. These grills are either round or rectangular in shape to make flipping and shifting food easier. Most of the pits are made of stone brick, but for a smaller home, pits crafted from hammered metal can be purchased so they can be moved and stored. These pits can have their grates removed and stored if they want a good old-fashioned bonfire.
Meat might be the preferred staple of the Ta-Matoran, but vegetables and fruits are not absent from their diets.
Ta-Matoran generally rely on other tribes to trade a variety of fruits and vegetables to maintain healthy bodies.
With croplands primarily focused on their pepper plantations, planting and growing of other crops is secondary, so they use their peppers, soil, and quality meats and spices to trade for proper ruffage and fruits.
Food trade-off between the Ta-Matoran and other tribes include but are not limited to…
Dried and fresh fish, shellfish, crustaceans, and salt from the Ko and Ga tribes.
Wheat/flour, alcohol, dairy and Rahi feed from the Po tribe.
Fruits, vegetables, vegetable oil, and sugar from the Le tribe.
Ta-Matoran do not have the same raging metabolism as Ko-Matoran, but theirs is constantly running at a steady and gradual pace that makes it difficult for a Ta to maintain fat and muscle density.
As such, dairy is perhaps a Ta-Matoran’s best friend next to meat and spice. Milk, cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products are generally traded heavily to the Ta tribes.
Perhaps due to the severity in demand for high-fat dairy, Ta-Matoran have taken the next step and learned how to create, preserve, press, dry, and store various kinds of cheese. Very few Matoran outside the Ta tribe will willingly try a piece of cheese covered in a thick layer of protective mold and packed with enough spices to kill 99.999% of all bacteria in it.
Ta-Matoran LOVE their cows (aka the Mukau, aka the Mata-nui Cow)! Due to the versatility of food produced from this Rahi – from meat to dairy and much desired leather – it is considered a sacred Rahi and, outside of being properly raised for its food and leather, cannot be harmed without consequences.
Mukau are raised in a similar fashion to the cows in Kobe; they are given the best food, quiet and vast pastures, the best veterinarian care, and are treated almost like family members until they are ready for slaughter.
Ta-Matoran beef, like Kobe beef, is heavily sought after, very expensive, and very rare.
Many who are not familiar with the Ta tribe would be surprised to find that Ta-Matoran are lightweights.
Alcohol was never a huge staple to the Ta tribe, unlike the Po, Ko, and Le tribes. Likely this is a result of both caution and a naturally low tolerance for alcohol.
Because of their consistent metabolisms and hotter bodies, as well as a few genetic attributes (similar to a aldehyde dehydrogenase deficiency) that make drinking a possibly deadly process.
But for times when drinking is expected and anticipated, Ta-Matoran prefer the more rugged flavors of beer, ale, mead, and occasionally whiskey.
Interestingly enough, Ta Toa do not face the same dangers as a Ta-Matoran, but generally experience intoxication much more quickly than most.
Ta Toa generally don’t mind too much, as their ability to increase and decrease their body heat and, to a small degree, alter their own metabolisms can help them to speed run them through a hangover, or better yet, sober up near instantly.
Bars and other alcoholic establishments will hold a strike policy for Ta Toa; if a Ta causes three or more fires in their establishment due to intoxication, they’re banned.
While alcohol is not generally consumed on its own in most Ta regions, it is heavily used in cooking! Very few would argue that a good beer in a spicy stew can’t fix a bad day; same goes for a Ta beer-batter fry-up!
No other region makes cooking equipment like the Ta-Matoran do. Creating cookware is just as, if not more, respected as mask-making and requires the same level of experience and knowledge as mask-making.
The woks used by the Ga and Ko tribe are almost all Ta-Matoran made, and despite any rivalries, a Ga and Ko will go to great lengths to commission a custom wok for their home should the old one no longer be useable (which in itself is unlikely if it was Ta-made)
Their cast-iron ware is rumored to last millennium, and this has been very nearly proven as Onu-Matoran have dug up ancient cast iron wares that were still perfectly useable after a thorough cleaning.
Like many artisans, many commissioned works can be identified by a subtle, easily missed mark (take notes Hafu) from their creator; a good owner will locate this mark upon purchase and commit it to memory in the event the item needs to be replaced, or they want more from that creator. This mark is usually a one-of-a-kind seal hammed into the item on its bottom or hidden by a handle or under a lid ledge.
Ta-made knives are perhaps considered some of the best quality for both cooking and as a general tool and weapon. They are only rivaled by the Fe tribe.
The Toa Okoto(In Matoran and Toa forms)
The first Toa Team to be formed on the island of Okoto Nui. Like many Teams before them, they don't always get along well, but they do their best to protect Okoto Nui from the threat of the Bone Hunters. Their members are
Okua(Fire) Former 'Turaga' of a small village in Ta-Oko. Though he's confident in leading the functions of a small village, he has difficulties leading a Toa Team.
Lodhu(Air) Member of the Le-Ifo Guard. Over all he is incredibly jovial and friendly, and gets along well with just about everyone on the team. He is Boxor Certified.
Toja(Ice) Excitable and curious, Toja was one of Okoto-Nui's many Chroniclers prior to becoming a Toa. He still makes an effort to keep up with his Chronicler responsibilities as a Toa.
Vikitoo(Stone) Vikitoo is easily the most tempermental of the Toa Okoto, with little patience for the antics of his team mates. He used to be a Courier, specifically operating out of the Muupar Desert of Po-Oko.
Enha(Water) A teacher turned Toa of Water. She specialized in zoology and still gets excited about the Rahi of Okoto Nui. Ironically, she suffers from thalasaphobia.
Arvho(Earth) Arvho worked as a miner in one of Onu-Oko's many mining settlements. He's stubborn and sarcastic, but tries to get along with the others. He was rendered mute by a mining accident. He communicates through a combination of sign language, and using his elemental powers to inscribe writing into the ground.
The six were trained by Toa Izewi, when he had the time to train them anyways. The Turaga, Narmoto, Vizuna, Izotor, Nilkuu, Kivoda, and Korgot also provided aid in the Toa Okoto's training.
Went to Galveston this weekend from the 6th to the 9th. Bionicle turns 25 this year. It'll be Bionicle day in a few days. Perfect opportunity to bring some of my figures along to take pictures for the occasion and also take them where they feel more at home.
Day 3 at Galveston. Takua and, later, Turaga Vakama, on the shore of Mata Nui. Macku and Hewki holding hands, until Jaller, Takua, and Hahli join them. Realizing what it looks like, they quickly pull away from each other. Hahli and Macku wading in the water. Macku takes Hewki for his swimming lesson.
Here's part 2: https://www.tumblr.com/ba-matorangirl/824587606641819648/went-to-galveston-this-weekend-from-the-6th-to-the?source=share
