Good afternoon, my beloved bronies who are actually reading this <3

I have been working for quite a while on this particular section, seeing as culture must be perhaps one of the most complicated parts of a society. I will be publishing only what I have worked on so far, and will be adding a few more things as they pop up in conversations or simply while having a muse attack.

Very well. Here we go.

Flutter Pony culture:

HEAD OF THE HERD: Flutter ponies originally have little to no known traditions besides bringing good luck at the flap of a wing. We know the herd is run by a queen (whose name is Rosedust, in the series/movie). In my version, seeing as Equestria already has a queen, I have assigned the herd a group of five flutter ponies only known as The Elders. It is not necessary that they all must be old (although there should be at least one), but they are usually only males and must be assigned "by destiny".This last quote opens another chapter that refers to cutie marks, but it shall be adressed in time.

Elders take the bigger decisions, lead and allow projects, and represent the Flutter community among the rest of Equestria.

EDUCATION: Colts and fillies have a smiliar method of learning, with a teacher and a schoolhouse. Even so, most of their education comes from the family, where they learn the traits of the family business.

CUTIE MARKS: A normal filly or colt earn their cutie mark the traditional way, which is by finding what makes them special or what they're good at. Usually the offspring of a baker gets a bread-related cutie mark, as a silversmith's colt could get a jewelry cutie mark. But unlike other cultures, it is an honor to be a blank flank at an older age. This could mean that his (or rarely her) destiny is becoming part of the Elders.

ECONOMY: Like every other town in Equestria, their economy is based on gold bits. Nevertheless, they do operate by trade at their local Bargain Market, which is put at the middle of each season.

Most businesses are run by a family and consist on simple rustic jobs: baking, agriculture, blacksmith, gardening, confectionary, jewelry, fabrics, among others. The strongest trade that goes past the valley is the wine (mainly Dragon Wine, which is the fermented juice of the oldest vines' grapes left to age with dragon fire-charred bones and certain dried flowers called jewelweed. This wine not only goes well with roasted parsnips, but also can detox and neutralize any poison within the body. ).

FESTIVITIES AND RITUALS: There are many other little festivals that Flutter ponies have besides the tradional Equestrian celebrations (Winter Wrap Up, Hearth's Warming Eve, Summer Sunset Celebration, Hearts and Hooves day, The Running of the Leaves, etc). Most revolve around nature.

• Kopo Blossom Festival: A celebration made a few days after the wrapping of winter, on the first full moon, where all the roseapple trees' buds begin to open and display a lovely shower of tiny white petals. In this day the plaza is decorated with colorful stands selling toys, jewelry, and food, particularly a type of puff filled with roseapple cream used as a gift for a loved one. The cream puff gets lightly dusted by the baker's flutter dust, to bring "good luck" to the suitor. At night, the plaza and trees are lit up with small lanterns and candles, where games and dancing are scheduled, especially a haunting dance that young females perform under the light of the moon having airy sparkling ribbons made from gossamer tied to their tails and jewels woven into their manes. This was originally created as a type of "quinceañera", or to put it simple, to present the bachelorettes to the society.
  
• The Bargain market: A type of flea market/ farmer's market where merchants and farmers set up a stand at the plaza at the middle of each season. The difference between this and other markets in the year is that there is no money allowed. The only way to obtain a good is by trading it for another good. Non-merchants can also participate by trading anything of use, from a tin container to a land deed.
  
• Welcoming of the butterfly: This little event marks the beginning of summer, where certain butterflies flock into Flutter Valley. Certain vegetables and fruits are harvested and the local food is celebrated.
  
• Harvest of the Vines: One of the most important events of the year. This is when the grapes are ready for harvesting. Along with this autumn harvest also comes the collecting of other fruits and nuts such as apples, roseapples, pumpkins, walnuts, jewelweed, buckwheat, etc. The whole valley then becomes dressed in gold (not only because of the trees, but the town is also decorated with the color gold), and the celebration lasts an entire week. It is one of the most cheerful festivals of the year, but deeply not recommended for foreign ponies to come and celebrate*.
  
• Mating rituals: Anypony can ask any other pony to become their mate in any way, but formally the stallion must present the mare a string of exactly 12 precious gems, all of the same color, size and form (and as usually, the bigger the gems, the richer the suitor and bla bla bla). If the mare accepts, she will have to find a way to integrate the gems to her ceremonial attire. Flirting among flutter ponies is also particular. Don't take it the wrong way when a flutter does a little dance while zipping around you in a circle. It means you have deeply caught their attention.
  
• Weddings: Only an Elder can wed a couple inside Flutter Valley. The ceremony may take place wherever it is wanted, depending on the family's budget. An Elder's wedding is always celebrated in the plaza, where the streets and alleys are decorated with garlands of flowers, tables with food and beverage are put, and the whole community is allowed to assist. The bride has no strict way of dressing, with the exception of wearing the family's traditional headdress and the gems. The groom's attire may also consist on the fabrics of his choice. The ritual is nothing different from a normal Equestrian wedding.
  
• Birthdays and parties: Nothing new. Birthday cakes are usually honey-flavored. At the age of 16 springs, Flutter Ponies are technically mature.
  

* The Harvest of Vines is a very dangerous event for a non-flutter pony. This cheery event hides a dark and gruesome tradition where the Elders choose what they call "the Gem". This unlucky colt or filly 16 springs or older has to accomplish the task of luring an unknowing pony to a cave not far from the Valley, where a legendary flightless dragon lives. They must irk the creature into breathing fire upon the clueless victim and quickly collect the charred bones that are left in place. These bones are used to make the Dragon Wine, and are the key ingredient to what makes the spirit so special. This tradition has been kept an airtight secret only among the winemakers of the valley and the Elders. Any type of rumor or gossip about the issue is immediately terminated.

Alright, hunnies. That's all I have for now :3 Please tell me what you think!