Tak-Mi-Lah (culture)

Cultural Overview

The Tak-Mi-Lah are a plains dwelling tribal peoples with a matriarchal culture. They follow migrating herds within the prairie region they call home.

Geography

The Tak-Mi-Lah tribal territory is comprised of the Central and western portion of the Plains of Tekara.

Language

Tak-Mi-Lah

The Tak-Mi-Lah speak their own language, which is evolved from the Imperial language family.

Trail Signs

The tribal peoples of the Plains of Tekara, the Malys and the Tak-Mi-Lah, use trail signs of twisted grass and broken twigs to leave coded messages for each other. The two cultural groups speak different languages with little overlap, but the trail signs are remarkably similar between the two groups.

Family

Rirez-imgah

Tribal groups are arranged into matrilineal clans.called rirez-imgah - mother-families.All females within a rirez-imgah will be descendants of the matriarch, and all adult, married males will come from unrelated family groups.

Structure / Size

When camped the tents entire tribe's tents are arranged in concentric rings around the matriarch's dwelling, with successive younger generations spreading outward to the perimeter.

When the Matriarch dies, her daughters separate into distinct family groups and the tribe splits along these blood relationships, with their descendants becoming matriarchs in their own turn.

Husbands are always chosen from outside of the immediate tribe, and wear distinctive ear cuffs to denote their married status. The style of such ornaments will identify their wife.

Roles of Family Members

The Tak-Mi-Lah practice matrilineal polyandry and view the purpose of marriage as to produce children. Given the harshness of living a nomadic lifestyle, the strategy of many fathers is believed to better ensure children make it to adulthood. Since only the mother can prove direct relation, all the husbands are invested. Young men will travel to other tribal groups to woo and impress daughters of other clans. If one likes what she sees and thinks that he will provide for her children she can appeal to her mother for approval. Any prospective husband brings with him all of his personal property. Any wealth he has becomes part of his value to his new bride.

This arrangement is reinforced through their religious belief in a Mother Goddess and the magical ability of women to birth children. Additional social reinforcement occurs as women hold the political power. An unmarried male may remain with his mother's family, protecting his siblings, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Importance

As the social structure of the entire Tak-Mi-Lah people is based around the family lineage, as traced through motherhood, family is the foremost value in Tak-Mi-Lah culture. One's social status is a reflection of their direct relatedness to the Matriarch.

Influence

Family being key to social status, ones relationship with family is important to smooth social functioning. One's family needs can also dictate ones role in society.

Orphans

In every tribal group there is one woman who holds the title of Clan Creche Mother. Usually a woman unable to have offspring of her own will fill this role. All parentless children become hers by tradition. After this point they are treated as though they were her biological offspring and afforded the same rights in society as any other woman's children would be. It is rare, but possible, that the Creche Mother becomes the matriarch of her own clan when the extant Matriarch dies and the clan divides along the familial lines of her daughters.

Religion

Mother Sun

The Tak-Mi-Lah have their own religion, worshipping a creator mother goddess, who is a personification of the sun, with the two moons being her attendant husbands, and the other planets their children.

Primary Beliefs

All life is dependant on the heat and light of the sun. She nurtures the plants which feed the animals and people in turn.

It is the sun that determines day and night, but also the pace of the seasons, and thus dictates the roles of all things and organized activity in turn.

Ceremonial

Pregnancy

The whole period from conception to birth is considered a sacred time for the mother. During gestation a woman is considered particularly blessed by the Mother sun, and will be given the choicest foods, and made as comfortable as possible.

Birth

When possible all the mother's husbands will gather together in prayer and reflection, while the closest female relatives of the expectant mother attend to the birth itself. Birth is considered a sacred and magical act that only women may attend.

Naming

The naming of a child is a collective decision by all fathers of the child.

Age

The Tak-Mi-Lah do not celebrate biennial birthdays, like many other cultures. they do note the stages of child's development though, and as children reach certain milestones a small ritual is performed to bless the child, and grant health and happiness through the next stage of life. the stages so marked are:

• First words - Marking the time when a child begins to verbally communicate.
• Walking - Marking the moment a child can freely stand and walk without support.
• Losing first milk tooth - A child reaching this age is ready to begin learning the physical skills necessary for their personal and the tribe's daily living.

Adulthood

Tak-Mi-Lah children are recognized as adults around the time of mid-puberty. For girls this is after their twenty-fourth menses for boys this is usually when they show two or more signs of approaching man-hood, facial and/or pubic hair, lowered voice, or a broadening of the shoulders.

Courtship

Male suitors are expected to travel to other tribes with the intent of wooing potential wives. This is an involved process, wherein a man must first convince the men of the tribe that he could be a worthy member, and provide his future wife, and the tribe in turn. After gaining social access to marriageable women, the prospective husband must convince her that he would be a good husband. This usually takes the form of declaring his strengths and virtues through storytelling, and displaying his wealth through gifts for the target of his interest. Female relatives of a woman will often have significant roles in advising on potential husbands or even competing for the affections of a young groom to be. When multiple men are seeking the same bride, the competition for her attention may take on a more sport-like tone, where they compete with each other to prove themselves the better choice. In the end, for good or ill the final decision does rest on the women herself.

Marriage

Marriages once agreed to are fairly big events, where the immediate family of both spouses gather together to bear witness to the transfer of the male and his personal property to his new tribe. sometimes two or more marriages will happen at or near the same time, with each tribe gaining new husbands from the other. The bride's current husband(s), if any, will formally welcome the new husband into their company, and present him to their wife. If no prior husband is present, then a close male relative of the bride will take on this responsibility. The couple will exchange small tokens of personal affection, and after a communal prayer for the couple's health and happiness, the bride will attach an earring to her new husband, claiming him for her own. At this point the groom is no longer considered a member of his former tribe, he belongs to his new family, and will say his good byes to his former family before retiring to the camp of his wife.

Divorce

Divorce is a serious but rare thing amongst the Tak-Mi-Lah. If a husband is truly deemed unsuitable by his wife and fellow husbands, his wife's family or the tribe in general, he may be exiled, becoming an outcast. The bride will tear the marriage earring from his ear, leaving a scar to mark him as an unworthy husband, and he will be, driven from the tribe with little to no personal property. Such men often spend the rest of their days in solitude, away from other Tak-Mi-Lah, as even their birth family and tribe may reject them and offer no home.

Death

The Tak-Mi-Lah practice burial and lay their dead to rest in communal burial sites. A shallow grave is cut into the prairie sod, and lined with flat stones. After the departed is placed inside, accompanied by gifts of food and tools they may need in the next life, more stones are placed on top, then a mound of dirt and sod is built atop the grave. A funerary staff will be erected atop the mound, decorated with charms, long ribbons and feathers. Such graveyards are considered holy places, and the Tak-Mi-Lah will generally avoid them except during burials, so as to not disturb the dead and give them time to travel to the afterlife.

Death of a Matriarch

When a matriarch dies it is a much more intense moment for a tribe. The death of the leader is the moment of a tribe's separation. The matriarch's body will be laid to rest in a manner similar to other tribe members, however the site of her burial will be the exact location of her tent. the mound will be built inside the tent, and then at the conclusion of the ceremony, her tent will be set aflame, to sanctify the ground in with she is interred. Such locations will form the basis of a new burial ground. The gathered tribe will remain in attendance singing songs and prayers, until the last flames are out. Then, in a sombre and quiet manner, each daughter will gather her family and blood descendants to depart as individual smaller tribes each with a new matriarch.

Inheritance

When a man marries all his personal property or wealth belongs to his wife, so there is nothing to inherit upon his death. A woman with children will have her wealth divided equally amongst her surviving daughters, with a small share going to each of her surviving husbands. Such men may seek to re-marry, usually within their current tribe, or if of advanced age, will simply attend to the needs of their daughter's families.

Entering/Leaving a Home

The Tak-Mi-Lah touch the top of the wooden frame of their tent doors on entry and exit with the middle three fingers of their left hand. This habit is so ingrained that it is likely performed on any door they pass through, without much thought. This is rooted in a cultural belief about wishing luck upon the occupants of the tent/home, and failure to do so invites bad luck to all who dwell there. Those who lack the required hand or fingers are exempt as they carry their bad luck with them. Doors are built low enough for young children of an independent walking age to be able to touch the frame. This practice originated from the design of their tents having a flap with a wooden cross brace, of which raising the brace to pass through would be required by adult-sized persons even when the door is kept open in nice weather.

Diet

Food

The Tak-Mi-Lah eat a variety of foodstuff which is hunted and foraged on the prairie. Wild grains, vegetables, mushrooms, and roots will be gathered in season. Game meats will be hunted for as needed, and in preparation for winter.

Cultural Dishes

The Tak-Mi-Lah make a nutritious trail ration out of fats, dried meat, grains and berries. The ingredients are pounded and ground together to form a thick paste which is then stuffed into cleaned intestines, and portioned like sausages. these are carried during travel and also stored in caches throughout their territory as an emergency food.

Spice / Flavours

The Tak-Mi-Lah use locally sourced culinary herbs and spices to flavour their dishes. Typically their dishes are slightly salty, hot and sour tasting to foreign palates

Drink

Non-Alcoholic

Water, rabbuc milk, green and black teas are common. There few fruits that grow on the prairie in sufficient numbers to collect for nectars or juices.

Alcohol

Some Tak-Mi-Lah have adopted the crafting of mead to their nomadic lifestyle. When they can trade for wine it is a welcome addition to their diet. Such drinks are usually reserved for ceremonial purposes, due to the lack of cellars and weight while travelling.

Fashion

Textiles

The Tak-Mi-Lah will utilise fabrics made from a variety of both plant and animal sourced fibres. Additionally, tanned hides and skins will be used for durable clothing.

Dyes

Numerous plant based dyes are available to the Tak-Mi-Lah, and their garments will show a variety of bright colours.

Embellishments

Quills

Quill work will be used to add colourful and textural patterns to outer garments.

Feathers

Typically reserved for regalia and ceremonial accessories, feathers add colour and dynamic displays to outfits.

Beads

Beads made from seeds, wood, or clay may be added to tassels or patched embroidered directly onto garments.to add decorative patterns.

Outfits

Typically a person will own one primary set of clothing, with a few duplicate or supplemental articles of clothing to regulate warmth or protection from rain, sun, or winds.

Daily by Class

Clothing is mostly practical in nature, and suited to the primary tasks an individual engages in, with personal embellishments based on one's own aesthetic.

Ceremonial

Ceremonial wear is typically achieved by the addition of head dresses, capes, or masks based on the role one has in the various ceremonies.

Regalia

During larger celebratory gatherings, adding colourful crests, tassels, and fans to outfits is common.

Jewellery

Body

:Beaded, or carved bangles, arm rings, and necklaces are common amongst both males and females.

Hair

Combs for women, and leather hair wraps for men are common with longer hair styles. Both sexes may add beads or tassels of fur or feathers to their hair.

Ears

Males will wear a earring marking them as a married man in a style which identifies their wife.

Makeup

The Tak-Mi-Lah wear little make-up, although some face painting using coloured clay, or fat based pastes, occurs for ceremonial and spiritual purposes.

Tattoos

Some tribes of the Tak-Mi-Lah have developed a tattoo style to more permanently mark themselves in a manner similar to face painting.

Leisure Activities

The daily routine of the Tak-Mi-Lah has both periods of productivity and leisure. Socialising with one's family and friends is a common evening activity.

Sports

Sports engaged in by the Tak-Mi-Lah are a mix of testing athletic ability, through foot races, wrestling, tests of strength and endurance, or challenging skill and accuracy with weapons.

Mob sports are also played, in groups, typically team based stick and ball, or hand ball based games. using a defined play area, and a fun spectator sport.

Games

Games played between small groups or pairs of individuals involve tokens and resource strategy games, as well as reductive race games using tokens and randomizers.

Gambling

Given the lack of currency as a form of wealth, gambling is generally reduced to specific prizes offered to the winner of a contest. These prizes may be more social in nature, taking the form of a future-favour or boon owed to the victor.

Social Gatherings

On occasion, neighbouring tribes of Tak-Mi-Lah, often related through common ancestry, will gather in larger numbers to have great moots and exchanges of produce and crafts. These gathers last several days and involve much ceremony and celebration. Feasting, dancing, and games are a common activity, as is the exchange of stories.

Arts

Storytelling

Storytelling is a large part of Tak-Mi-Lah culture, as they practice oral traditions for passing on knowledge and history of their people to the younger generations.

Writing

Written stories are not yet an art form, however, those few Tak-Mi-Lah whom have learned to write with a foreign script may record stories for posterity, or sharing beyond their cultural neighbours.

Poetry

Poetry generally takes the form of ballads and thus is a refined form of storytelling, Although recent minimalist poems, telling a story with a constrained number of words or syllables is gaining favour amongst some tribal groups.

Fiction

Storytelling of fictional tales is a common form of contest between storytellers to either see who can tell the most entertaining or convincing tales. These occupy several genres, including: Humour, Legends, Parables, and Fantasty.

Theatre

Stroytelling involving additional persons to perform roles within the story is common during more ceremonial activities.

Acting

Performance of roles to assist in the storytelling will involve actors wearing masks and other costumes that reflect archetypal characters, mythological entities, or animals.

Plays

Plays as a separate art form has yet to distinguish itself from the storytelling or ceremonial functions.

Dance

Dances can be solo or group dances, often performed a rhythmic gyrating, and footwork performed in open spaces.

Gymnastics

A form of dancing with rolls, folding, flips, and jumps is more of a showcase of agility, than a storytelling form, like other dances. Some of these performances involve large hoops, or poles as props and tools to perform additional feats.

Music

The Tak-Mi-Lah are a musical culture, augmenting their daily activities and ceremonial activities with both songs and music.

Singing

The Tak-Mi-Lah engage in a mix of melodic and droning throat singing, with or without vocal lyrics.

Percussion

Drums

Tamboulin, or tambourine style drums of stretched hide over a wooden or bone frame are commonly used to provide rhythmic music for dances and storytelling.

Rattles

Rain sticks or shakers made from seed pods, shells, or hollow wooden rattles, using seeds, pebbles, or clay pellets are used to accompany drums and other instruments.

Wind

Flutes

:Wood and reed flutes are common.

Didgeridoos Long wooden tubes, played with rhythmic or circular breathing to create sonorous droning sounds are also used for ceremonial purposes.tube

Painting

Painting of geometric patterns on leather or hide garments and tents sheets is a way of creating individualised items. Some paintings will reflect figures of people and animals depicting scenes from stories and mythology.

Sculpture

Stacked rocks and woven or twisted plant materials are used primarily as trail markers, or territorial claims.

Carving

Carving of wood and some softer stone materials is used for decorative elements for tools and structures, as well as smaller tokens, toys, or jewellery items.

Time

Timekeeping

The Tak-Mi-Lah live according to their daily needs. they measure time based on the course of the sun through the sky. Activities take however long they take. They do not worry about hours and minutes.

Daily Routine

Generally, the day begins when the sun rises and routine activities are conducted during the course of the day. More physically demanding tasks being performed in the morning or evenings to limit exposure to the heat of mid-day. A mid-day period of rest or lessened intensive physical activity is common.

Timeline

Each tribe has a personal timeline branching from the common ancestral lines. This is recorded in a oral tradition and kept by the Matriarch, who tells the history to her daughters in turn, as the next generation of chroniclers in turn.

Persons

List of Tak-Mi-Lah Persons

Stories

First (fifty word fantasy)

Mother (fifty word fantasy)

See Also

Tak-Mi-Lah (language)

Tak-Mi-Lah (nation)

Tak-Mi-Lah (people)