Mungo
Mungo is a popular Placentian slang term. As a noun, a "mungo" refers to a person who is working class or blue collar, often a fisherman or dockworker, or someone who exemplifies certain characteristics associated with these professions. Less commonly, mungo can also be used as an adjective. Due to the country's historic reliance on the sea and its close association with fishing, mungo can also be used as a general demonym for any Placentian, depending on context. Due to the intensity of typical mungo professions, the archetypal mungo is seen as someone who is physical and hands-on, as opposed to white-collar workers who typically perform work in an office environment. The term mungo has harbored potentially political implications depending on the time period, and in recent times it has also been criticized as a possible racial slur, although this has been rejected by its users.
History
The earliest recorded use of the word "mungo" appears in an 1881 addition of the Saint-Pierre Gazette, in a report on that year's annual fishing yield. Etymologically, the term is believed to have come from the name for a type of recycled fabric; those who wore clothing made from mungo cloth were likely lower-class. The term possibly began use as a derogatory term for low ranking members of society, as opposed to upper-class, posh members of society associated with the royal family. As early as the 1890s the term appears to have been embraced by working-class dockworkers and fishermen, who began to identify themselves as mungos freely. The term was used at the 1896 National Convention of the Piscator Labor Alliance, whose attendants were described as "piscators, skippers, and mungos of all kinds".
The term began to be used as a badge of honor by the turn of the century, especially by politicians seeking to appeal to working class voters. The 1903 election is perhaps the first time the term was used in a campaign slogan, playing a part in the election of Piscator president Jacques J. Irimo. Placentian works of literature, such as “Song of Myself” by poet Lastur Labiano, bolstered the modern archetype of the mungo worker, depicting a Placentian man that was hard working and capable. The 1923 novel The Old Man and the Sea by Saustin Fedon built upon this archetype further, with its depiction of an elder, mungo fisherman. Coinciding with the rise of the term mungo, the Placentian Realism movement arose which sought to depict real-world, ordinary subject matter in painting. Spearheaded by such artists as Asuri Ondarza, art of the turn of the century popularized and romanticized the mungo population, and also legitimized use of the term in additional circles.
Throughout the history of Placentia, numerous leaders and famous figures have been labeled as mungo, whether they self identified as such or not. There is a long history of Placentian presidents referring to themselves as mungo, dating to at least 1903 with Jacques J. Irimo. Initially, this caused the term to receive a left-leaning connotation, as the term was embraced by the Piscators and democratic socialists, who most often appealed to and were made up of lower class members of society themselves. In the early 20th century, a common refrain arose that the Cavalierists, the dominant conservative faction of the day, were the non mungo choice in Placentia—posh aristocrats such as the Comte de Pigeons or Baron Micolta were frequently maligned as non mungo during their respective presidencies. Gilen Vidaotegui, who held office from 1918 to 1920, is generally regarded as the archetypal mungo president, becoming famed for his crass speeches and anti-elitism.
In the 21st century the term mungo has reemerged as popular political slang. Former president Rafael Jauregui famously embraced the term and used it frequently in the lead up to the 2019 Placentian election. Jauregui subsequently became an archetypal mungo, both its positive and negative connotations. Due to his stubbornness to invest in alternative technology or industries other than fishing and traditional ways of life, mungos have been criticized as shortsighted, brash, and unsophisticated. Alternative candidate Chevy Shara rebuked this stereotype in the press, stating that “being mungo is about wisdom” and challenging the idea that the archipelago should be locked in its preference for the fishing industry solely. During the election Jauregui labeled several of his rivals as non mungo to Placentian media: he criticized Pierre Pataxi’s supposed “college elitism” and Arrosa Sagarra for “making an unhonest living”, referring to online professions as inauthentic and non mungo. Initially hesitant toward Iban Garrastazu due to his supposed self-made status, Jauregui later called him “extremely unmungo” for his proposed policies.
Characteristics
Although originally referring to a blue collar worker associated with the sea – a fisherman, dockworker, or longshoreman – the term has since expanded to include any number of labor-intensive professions. Generally, mungos are characterized as hard working, tough, and resilient, and as the type of people to work with their hands, get physical, or act rashly. This has also led to a number of negative connotations: due to the high number of workers entering the fishing industry after little to no formal education, higher learning is often rebuked as non mungo, leading to the idea that mungos are uneducated or unintelligent, or at least not “book smart” in a traditional sense. Originally looked down upon by elites as lower class, mungos have conversely come to regard monarchism, aristocracy, exorbitant wealth, and high society in a negative light as non mungo. The idea of a “self made man” is intertwined with and generally respected by mungos; those who worked hard to build themselves up are admired, versus those who were born into wealth.
The term is frequently associated with manliness and traditional traits of masculinity, however, it is not unheard of for women to be considered mungo. In terms of physical appearance, mungos are associated with “long beards, worn skin, and broad shoulders”, writes “mungologist” Aimar Irun. The traditional mungo attire is plain clothing, including sturdy, wool garments, rubber boots, and sailor hats. Flashy or expensive clothing is rejected by mungos.
Irun identifies mungo as being more than a profession, but also a state of mind. According to him, the most important elements of a mungo are a sense of dedication and loyalty. It has been noted by him that the fishing industry is home to a tight-knit community, which “views loyalty to each other above all else”. Traditionally mungos have been seen at odds with the monarchy due to monarchism being associated with elitism. As such, very few piscator presidents have accepted knighthoods or titles of nobility, a practice generally considered unmungo. However, several nobles throughout history, especially those who had been ennobled based on merit, have come to be regarded as mungo in spite of their nobility, such as famous Piscator president Vascio Vasave. Paradoxically, the monarchy itself has traditionally been highly respected or regarded as mungo. This is due in part to Orélie I being regarded as a self-made monarch, an adventurer and soldier turned king. Traditionally, the monarchs of Placentia have embraced a populist and accessible view in the public eye, earning them respect from the mungo population. Additionally, Irun argues that “although they scoff at nobility and government as controlling or overbearing, mungos will not hesitate to defend the king or country; the right to complain is theirs alone, and they don’t tolerate backtalk from outsiders.”
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Mungo
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Controversies
In recent decades claims have arisen that the term mungo is a possible racial slur or linked to far right extremism. From the mid 20th century on the term began to be used by members of various Derzhavist and nationalist groups, such as the Bastioia party, who associated the term with native-born, Caucasian citizens of Placentia. Prominent, self-identified mungos, such as Rafael Jauregui, have rebuked this claim, stating that mungo has no racial connotations. In regards to claims that “mungo” was disclusive of indigenous peoples, Jauregui stated in 2016, "I don't care if you're Indian, I only care how many fish you can catch." Piscator representative Varron Ondarza defended Jauregui’s view, stating that “mungo is not about being white, it’s just that most Placentians are white, and therefore most mungos.” When asked if there was an example of a black mungo, Ondarza put forth “Danny Glover in the Lethal Weapon movies”.
The “mungo archetype” has also been criticized in recent years for glamorizing negative or problematic behavior. According to writer Aimar Irun in his book The Mungo Dark Side, the mungo lifestyle has been linked to elements of toxic masculinity; it has been alleged to promote drinking and drunk driving, fighting, violence, and destructive actions. Placentia is noted for its higher than average percentage of alcohol consumption and diagnosed alcoholism, high suicide rate, and lower than average life expectancy, especially for men. Subsequently, many activists have sought to focus on the positive aspects of mungo life, such as its emphasis on hard work, dedication, and loyalty, while rejecting recklessness and vulgarity.
In popular culture
Television
In the Sierran legal dramedy television series Dumb Justice, the cast visits Placentia where they are given a tour by stereotypically mungo residents.
Erasmus is a recurring mungo character played by Adrian Thompson on the Sierran sketch comedy and satire show San Francisco Night Live.
See also
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