A primer on the customs and history of the Imperium of Humanity. All taken from "A Brief History of the Empire" and "An Illustrated Guide to the Empire."
All used with the express permission and approval of the Ministry of Culture.
Quadroon Balls are a custom dating back well over a century and a half ago, and were social events where young women held a formal ball, elegant and elaborate, and invited society's gentlemen to attend. These were somewhat of an imitation of higher society's debutante balls, where the young ladies of the nobility were formally presented to society. In their early history, these women were primarily mixed race girls (hence the nickname, Quadroon Ball, that caught on and stuck even today). Seeking to present themselves to the wealthy gentlemen and nobility, not as wives, but as mistresses, and maybe even as concubines, these women pooled their resources (sometimes even borrowing money) to rent ballrooms and hold these balls. Fully supported by, and often accompanied by their mothers, who hoped to see a secure future for their daughters, these women competed for the attention of the men who accepted their invitation.
Traditionally, when the ball begins, the young women enter one by one, being announced and introduced, and thus attempt to catch the eyes of the men in attendance. They also carry a number of cards with them, with their portrait on one side, and their information on the other (age, measurements, and so on). Unlike the debutante balls, the girls are not as heavily chaperones, and either party may approach the other and ask for a dance (at the debutante balls, girls are prohibited from asking the men and must wait on them). It is not commonly done, but not completely unknown, for a girl and her suitor to sneak away for some illicit activities. Should a gentleman desire to make an arrangement with a young woman at the ball, he approaches her mother and makes the arrangements with her; by tradition, fathers are not allowed into the ball, so the mothers must see to everything.
While these were started primarily by mixed race girls, these days any girl is able to participate, and there are girls of mixed race, European, Asian, and even African descent to be found at these balls (even so, the Quadroon nickname has stuck). These girls are usually born of merchants, tradesmen, and occasionally illegitimate daughters. Typically, the invitees are lower nobility, some of the wealthier merchants and tradesmen. While uncommon, the higher nobility sometimes make an appearance, though the heads of such families consider it beneath them to attend. Many of the upper nobility do not attend, as they have their own stock of concubines, and no end to potential bed mates on their lands. It is usually younger sons looking for something different, or looking for a "diamond in the rough," as they sometimes put it. If selected, these girls can be taken to live with a minor noble as a concubine, or set up in a nice home or apartment as a mistress to a gentleman. If they keep their lover happy, they can live a life of luxury saving for their own future and possible marriage if the arrangement is ended.
Pictured Above: A group of young women taking a picture together before heading to their Quadroon Ball.
Reblogged
Sent!
This blog contains adult content. In order to view it freely, please log in or register
and confirm you are 18 years or older
Quadroon Balls
Quadroon Balls are a custom dating back well over a century and a half ago, and were social events where young women held a formal ball, elegant and elaborate, and invited society's gentlemen to attend. These were somewhat of an imitation of higher society's debutante balls, where the young ladies of the nobility were formally presented to society. In their early history, these women were primarily mixed race girls (hence the nickname, Quadroon Ball, that caught on and stuck even today). Seeking to present themselves to the wealthy gentlemen and nobility, not as wives, but as mistresses, and maybe even as concubines, these women pooled their resources (sometimes even borrowing money) to rent ballrooms and hold these balls. Fully supported by, and often accompanied by their mothers, who hoped to see a secure future for their daughters, these women competed for the attention of the men who accepted their invitation.
Traditionally, when the ball begins, the young women enter one by one, being announced and introduced, and thus attempt to catch the eyes of the men in attendance. They also carry a number of cards with them, with their portrait on one side, and their information on the other (age, measurements, and so on). Unlike the debutante balls, the girls are not as heavily chaperones, and either party may approach the other and ask for a dance (at the debutante balls, girls are prohibited from asking the men and must wait on them). It is not commonly done, but not completely unknown, for a girl and her suitor to sneak away for some illicit activities. Should a gentleman desire to make an arrangement with a young woman at the ball, he approaches her mother and makes the arrangements with her; by tradition, fathers are not allowed into the ball, so the mothers must see to everything.
While these were started primarily by mixed race girls, these days any girl is able to participate, and there are girls of mixed race, European, Asian, and even African descent to be found at these balls (even so, the Quadroon nickname has stuck). These girls are usually born of merchants, tradesmen, and occasionally illegitimate daughters. Typically, the invitees are lower nobility, some of the wealthier merchants and tradesmen. While uncommon, the higher nobility sometimes make an appearance, though the heads of such families consider it beneath them to attend. Many of the upper nobility do not attend, as they have their own stock of concubines, and no end to potential bed mates on their lands. It is usually younger sons looking for something different, or looking for a "diamond in the rough," as they sometimes put it. If selected, these girls can be taken to live with a minor noble as a concubine, or set up in a nice home or apartment as a mistress to a gentleman. If they keep their lover happy, they can live a life of luxury saving for their own future and possible marriage if the arrangement is ended.
Pictured Above: A group of young women taking a picture together before heading to their Quadroon Ball.