The Udank people of the East are primarily nomadic; the cities of these regions are for the most part devoted to support for the nomadic populations, providing cattleyards and markets to them. In the East, in the European part of their lands, there is a more diverse mix of agriculture, herding and heavy industry. Cities are larger and more cosmopolitan.
The Udank are divided into several nations. In the West, some of these states are small but densely populated, while those of the East are vast but sparsely inhabited.
Udank religion is animistic and pantheistic. There is no organized religious system among them, rather, the various tribes and regions follow the practices handed down to them by tradition. Unifying themes in their religion are belief in an all-pervading spirit and in a system of animal totems. In general, religious practices tend to be stronger in the East than in the West.
The Udank speak four major dialects, all of the isolating variety. A characteristic feature of all Udank dialects is a complex tonal vowel system. Their orthography is unique: each character is made up of repeated patterns, somewhat like cuneiform writing, composed of small half-circles and lines.
Udank language and culture were very influencial on the Kadanë at an early period of their history, as the Udank moved slowly into Kadanë lands prior to the Kadanë's removal West.
© 1997, Terrence Donnelly