The scripts I am finding are mostly written on what looks like papyrus. Maybe made from reeds around the lake, although there is none left today. There are also some inscriptions on stone.
The Sholu do not have a religion as such, but they do have a strong sense of veneration for their ancestors. This seems to be an extension of the respect they have for old age in the living - the older you are the more respect you are due, irrespective of whether you are alive or dead. This means that the ancestors that are held in greatest esteem are the oldest. The founders of their people have a special importance for them.
They have a strong artistic sense and this manifests itself most strongly in their clothes and pottery. Both, even the most utilitarian are decorated with an array of patterns. Most striking is their use of colour. Each representing different emotions, events or objects.
(The text is badly damaged at this point - it's not clear which attributes relate to a particular colour)
hope, the body, plants, life, creation
mind, water, ancestors, reason, thought
morality, earth, home, family, respect
danger, action, courage, anger, fire
love, the sun, friends, emotion, freedom
sky, the moon, compassion and beauty
darkness, grief, illness, death, hardship
The scripts that I’m finding are not the same language as they speak today. It seems that writings were done in a different, older, language. Perhaps like Latin was once used in for formal documents rather than the vernacular. However they do use phrases in their day-to-day speech which are clearly not part of the language and which I guess come from this older language. Here are some examples:
‘Se fi ut go fi’ - Good health.
‘Pu fi ut ruba’ - Don’t be afraid.
‘Pene la’ - every day.
‘Se asba ut itrita’ - Live in hope.
‘Se ku rul’ - Peace be with you.
‘Cho su el es’ – expression of resignation.