Borogravia
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Borogravia is a fictional country in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series of novels, especially Monstrous Regiment. It is small and extremely belligerent.
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[edit] Location
Borogravia is located Rimwards of Überwald, on the Discworld's unnamed main continent. The capital city is PrinceMarmadukePiotreAlbertHansJosephBernhardtWilhelmsberg, possibly a parody of St. Petersburg
[edit] History
The recent history of Borogravia consists mainly of fighting wars with every other country in the area (most notably Zlobenia), for various ill-defined reasons. The current war with Zlobenia has gone on for so long that nobody can remember what it was about. Borogravia is a Duchy, and as such is ruled by a Duke or Duchess. The ruler at the time of Monstrous Regiment was Duchess Annagovia.
[edit] Nuggan
The Borogravians, at least up to a time soon before Monstrous Regiment, try to live their lives according to the Book of Nuggan, the titular deity's holy book. The main strictures which Nuggan imposes on the country are the Abominations unto Nuggan - actions, things and people forbidden by Nuggan. It is the practice of most Borogravian families to have a copy, which unlike most holy texts comes in a ring binder. This is because Nuggan frequently adds new lists of Abominations.
The reason that the Borogravians began to quietly ignore Nuggan was because he was going senile. Some of Nuggan's more recent Abominations, which might be thought to have been strict enough with interdictions on garlic and chocolate, began to include things like babies, ears and the colour blue.
[edit] Miscellaneous
- Along with Nuggan, the Ducal family are also considered to be deities. Prayers to the Duchess generally ask for intercession with Nuggan.
- At some point (see Thief of Time) Borogravia was noted for its chocolate. However, since Nuggan disliked chocolate, this may no longer be the case.
- In Night Watch, it is mentioned in passing that Borogravia has invaded Mouldavia. Presumably they have switched targets by the time Monstrous Regiment occurs.
- The name comes from Borogoves, a sort of long-legged bird mentioned in Lewis Carroll's "Jabberwocky". Pratchett's dislike of Caroll's Alice books is well known.
- Alternatively, Borogravia can be read as 'borrow grave -ia', this is an example of Pratchett's punning in regards to names. It was possibly to make the country seem more bleak. However, given that the country originated as a throwaway reference to the 'High Borogravian' language in The Colour of Magic, this seems unlikely.
- A literal translation of Borogravia's national hymn reads:
- “Awake ye sons of the Motherland
- Taste no more the wine of the sour apples
- Woodsmen, grasp your choppers!
- Farmers, slaughter with the tool formerly used for lifting beets the foe!
- Frustrate the endless wiles of our enemies
- We into the darkness march singing
- Against the whole world in arms coming
- But see the golden light upon the mountain tops!
- The new day is a great big fish!”
The metre and style seem reminiscent of many of the songs in works by Bertolt Brecht, a playwright whose plays are often seemingly bleak but dominated by courage of heart — a suitable parallel for the events in Monstrous Regiment. Its last line has reached some fame for its surreal sound. Apparently, "a great big fish" is a Borogravian idiom meaning "a great opportunity".
[edit] Mentioned in
- The Colour of Magic (only as a reference to the language "High Borogravian")
- Carpe Jugulum
- Thief of Time
- Night Watch
- The Last Hero
- Monstrous Regiment
- The Fifth Elephant
