Ghem (cetaganda) - Citizendia

The Ghem are the lower aristocracy of the Cetagandan Empire in Lois McMaster Bujold's sci-fi series, the Vorkosigan Saga

The Ghem are the Military caste and the lower aristocracy of Cetaganda. Aristocracy is a form of Government, where rule is established through an internal struggle over who has the most status and influence over society and internal relations Cetaganda is the collective name for an 8-planet empire in the wormhole Nexus of the Vorkosigan Saga novels of Lois McMaster Bujold. Lois McMaster Bujold (born November 2, 1949, Columbus, Ohio) is an American author of Science fiction and Fantasy The Vorkosigan Saga is a series of Science fiction novels and short stories by Lois McMaster Bujold, most of which concern Miles Vorkosigan, a physically They are responsible for the military actions of the Empire. However, the entire caste does not work for the army. Some specialize in genetic engineering of less than human life forms.

A distinguishing feature of the ghem is their use of face-paint. The exact usage depends on the individual's clan, status, and the activity they are pursuing. In particular, there are painting patterns associated with military missions.

In the novel Cetaganda, it is revealed that among the younger generation of ghem, fashion dictates that the face paint is reduced to a painted patch on one cheek. The Vorkosigan Saga is a series of Science fiction novels and short stories by Lois McMaster Bujold, most of which concern Miles Vorkosigan, a physically

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