#elderyaps

The Dark Cacao Kingdom is canonlly based on Joseon-era Korea, and as such the architecture, culture, and clothing is based of it. Though, the Cacao fruit itself originates and is grown in African, Southern + Central American areas such as the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Mexico, Ghana, and the Ivory Coast.

1. Ethnic real world inspo

So I head canon the Dark Cacao Nation as a whole be ethically Central American and Korean. That means anyone who is made of chocolate or cacao or have Cacaion in their jam (The Milk Tribes adapting the culture but being ethically different.) Dark Cacao Cookie being different then the modern Cacaioans since he is 10,000+ years old, meaning he and Dark Choco would be ethnically different from his subjects, influencing the Dark Cacaoian culture. Meaning The Dark Cacao Kingdom's culture would be quite different from other chocolate sub-groups and nations. But as I said before, this is simply cultural inspiration not a 1 to 1 adaptation.

2. Deities And Culture Environment

The Dark Cacao Kingdom's culture in universe is heavily influenced by the mythology surrounding the Twin Dragons, defeated by Dark Cacao Kingdom. Aswell as the belief and practice of the Light of Resolution (which overlaps often with Confucianism, practiced in Joseon-era Korea). Out of all of the Kingdoms, their government and faith is heavily surrounded around Dark Cacao Cookie himself, being a centralized monarch with such power and appearance in myth. Even against his will he is often worshiped in the villages and tribes as a sort of god, having the power of dragons, souljam and often causing storms with a single swing of his sword.

3. Language

The Cookie world has 1 common language, but also has MANY native languages based on region, culture, race etc etc. Each of the 5 kingdoms speak the common language as a secondary national language but have their own native primary language. Pure Vanilla Kingdom: Called Vanillish (Pronounced VEN-ill-ish), English mixed with a ancient in-universe language and Romanian. (Note the common language is NOT english.) Holly Berry Kingdom: Called 'Hollyberrian', French with ALOT of borrowed words from the other languages. Dark Cacao Kingdom: Called Cocoish (Pronounced Coh-Cah-ow-ish) Korean + Spanish + Brazilian Portuguese and bits of Dragon-tongue Golden Cheese Kingdom: Called Cheesic (Pronounced Cheese-ick) Egyptian Arabic Mixed with a ancient in-universe language. Cocoish developed from Dark Cacao's mother tongue; 'Theobroma', which was a mixture of ancient common tongue, Darktongue (a magical language used in dark magic), and real-world Spanish, primarily Spanish. Theobroma originated in the ancient Cacao war bans in Ancient Dragons Valley where Dark Cacao Cookie grew up. Bringing and teaching the language over to the Dark Cacao Kingdom when he first founded it (he only knew some of the common language and Theobroma when first founding it.). The inhabitance of the Great Icing ridges were the Coffee tribes (Speaking Ancient Caffinic, the in-universe equivalent to Brazilian Portuguese, a language still spoken today.) There was also the Licorice Tribes who spoke Glabra (A rare Licorice language mostly lost to time) which was a ancient language almost 1 to 1 to real world Korean. Overtime the 3 language's converged into modern day Cocoish. Dark Cacao is one of the few who still speak Theobroma, since it is not often taught and the predominate language is Cocoish, but Dark Choco and many cookie in Dragons Valley still speak it today. If Anyone wants me to yapp about other languages or dive deep let me know!

4. Spirituality

Canonly the Dark Cacao Kingdom believes in spirits and honoring the fallen warriors of the Watchers and Warriors. Taking it another step forward I headcanon that they often preform sermonizes or setup alters for their loved ones aswell as the creatures of the Great Icing Ridges. And example of this could be personal alters at home, holidays, performances and dance. There are obviously canon priests who pray and give offering to the licorice sea, as well as the existence of the Alter of The Fallen, so im not that far off. As for their relationship with the nature and monster around them I feel Cacaions worship and celebrate even the most vicious of monster and possessed weapons. Even when slaying a Snow Peak Prowler it is seen as a exchange of energy, a watcher would acknowledge and celebrate the life of a fallen ally or animal rather than silent mourning them, since they believe that they are watching over them along as they are under Dark Cacao Domain.

5. Dance and Song

Despite being very strict and cold, I headcanon the Dark Cacao Kingdom to have dance and song deeply integrated in their celebrations, rituals, and even in their fighting style. It is often said that a Watcher's fighting style when not fighting with weapons can often be mistaken for dancing. The types of Cacaion Dance takes inspiration from many different real world dances, such as Brazilian Samba, Salsa, Merengue and many others. Often including complex foot work, fast but sturdy rhythm, and lots of hip movement. Their music would consist of a mix of the in game soundtrack along with heavy drums, bass and string instruments, as well as chore and vocals. Almost every Cacaian knows how to play an instrement or dance.

6. Theater and Arts

Another unexpected thing that is extremely valued in the Dark Cacao Kingdom: the arts and musical theater. Masked theater and Korean theater being a popular form of entertainment and storytelling, utilizing puppets and craftsmanship. Realism Oil painting, collagraphy and poetry being a high valued practice aswell. Painting and poetry often describing the world around them, the harsh conditions and strong resolution they carry, popularized by the King himself.