Tak-Mi-Lah (nation)

About

Dominant Culture

Tak-Mi-Lah

The various tribal groups within the range occupied by the Tak-Mi-Lah peoples follow a similar cultural pattern.

Geographic Area

Central and Western portions of the Plains of Tekara, between Tabras to the North and Aralia to the South.

Population

The population of the Tah-Mi-Lah territories is primarily composed of the nomadic Tak-Mi-Lah peoples. In some bands ethnic outsiders may be present, but it is a rare thing. Some foreign ethnic settlements exist, mostly as small hamlets or trade outposts along the borders of what is considered their territory. The occupants of such locales are usually of Tabrani or Aralian origin. The Malys have some presence along the Eastern edge of the territory.

Government

The Tak-Mi-Lah have no centralized authority, nor singular head of state. They are governed on a tribal level by the clan matriarchs, and when inter-tribal issues arise, gatherings of several Matriarchs or their representatives will be formed to mediate disputes and render judgements as necessary.

Law Making

The Tak-Mi-Lah follow an oral tradition and as such their laws are not a written document, but a living story of the various rulings made by the ancestral and current ruling matriarchs. The Tak-Mi-Lah favour restorative justice, and a re-connection to the community and one's place within nature, over punitive measures. However, great wrongs, such as murder, warrant more serious responses. Exile from the tribe is the last option before putting an offender to death.

Enforcement

The common law is enforced by social contract amongst the tribes membership. Everyone is expected to help those in conflict to regain their place amongst the clan and tribe.

Taxation

Taxes in the form of tribute are paid to the matriarch of each tribe. Such wealth is used to support her immediate family, and any less fortunate members of the tribe.

Public Works

As a nomadic people, the Tak-Mi-Lah have no physical infrastructure on a national level. Some tribes may may moderate improvements to regular camp sites, or resources, but this is done on an individual basis and is not a nationally organized activity.

Commerce

Agriculture

The Tak-Mi-Lah do not engage in static agriculture, instead they depend on the wild bounty of their territory.

Herds

The Tak-Mi-Lah are pastoral and will drive domesticated herds of animals, mostly Cebuc and Rabbuc. Such animals will travel with the tribes migrating as needed to ensure fresh grazing.

Hunting

The Tak-Mi-Lah get many resources from other animals during group hunts which allow for larger and greater numbers of animals to be killed. Such activity is usually seasonal, occurring twice per year. Small scale huntung and trapping is performed as needed to supplement individual family diets.

Fishing

Fishing is less common amongst the Tak-Mi-Lah, and generally only engaged in where camps are adjacent to an appropriate river or lake known to hold large stocks of fish.

Gathering

Gathering of wild edibles and various herbs is engaged in as needed and according to seasonal availability of such plants. Wild grains, legumes, berries, mushrooms, and root vegetables are common foods.

Industry

Resource Extraction

The Tak-Mi-Lah will exploit surface deposits of clay, copper, and flint, as needed, but do not engage in such activities on an industrial or commercial scale.

Manufacturing

The Tak-Mi-Lah will make clothing, tools, weapons, and furniture on an as needed basis. Such handcrafted items are typically of a simple and utilitarian nature.

Trade

The Tak-Mi-Lah will engage in trade between tribes for resources they lack, or have in abundance. They also will trade with their neighbouring states typically at established trading posts, or mutual moot sites at specific seasonal gatherings.

Imports / Exports

The Tak-Mi-Lah will purchase crafted items they cannot make themselves, typically iron or steel tools and weapons. In exchange for such objects they will typically trade in pelts, furs, or hides. Some will trade live animals from their herds as well.

Transportation

The Tak-Mi-Lah generally travel by foot. If they cannot personally carry their belongings, it is seen as a sign of greed, and wasteful materialism. Some tribes will have Horses, or Rabbox to haul heavier loads, but such beasts are almost never ridden. Given the lack of roads and terrain of the open prairie, wagons and carts are not used.

Currency

The Tak-Mi-Lah have no currency. They prefer direct barter over token based trades.

Role of Guilds

No guilds operate under the direct purview of the Tak-Mi-Lah, however some are present at trading outposts. Those present are primarily Furriers and Herbalists.

Military

The Tak-Mi-Lah do not have any form of nationalized military, instead relying on the tribal warriors to defend their interests on a case by case basis.

Controlling Body

If an organized band of warriors is required they will typically be lead by one of the Matriarch's husbands, and are loosely organized according the skills of the individual members.

Size

A tribe can effectively field about one third of its population as capable warriors. The remainder are either women, the elderly and infirm, or children too young to fight.

Roles / Equipment

Scouts

Those with excellent tracking skills may be employed as out runners and scouts. Such scouts will typically wear light leather clothing and may be armed with a light atlatyl (arrow) and a knife.

Throwers

Hunters skilled with one or more ranged weapons. Armed with heavy (javelin) or light (arrow) atlatyls or slings, and wearing light leather clothing or woven grass armour.

Ak-Milae

Medium foot, armed with the signature weapon a heavy wooden club, with a semi-circular blade at the pommel end. These warriors will typically be dressed in a mix of leather and woven grass armour.

Integration with Civil

Every adult male of the tribe is expected to be a capable hunter, to provide for the needs of their family and extended relations. Such skills make them capable warriors and they are always on call to defend the tribe from threats. Older males who may find that their age, injuries, or ailments, prevent them from participating directly will mentor and train the younger generations, sharing their knowledge and experience.

Religion

Clans tend to follow the beliefs of their Matriarch, and elders amongst the tribe. Changes to the beliefs of a given group are slow,

Dominant Religion

The dominant religion amongst the Tak-Mi-Lah is still their own belief in a mother sun and her husband moons.

Minor Religions

Belief in the Twinned Goddess is a growing minority religion. Such worship exists around the periphery of the Tak-Mi-Lah territory where they have regular contact with foreign worshippers.

Integration with Civil

It is usually the Matriarch's eldest surviving husband who leads the spiritual needs of the tribe. The role is assumed based on age and experience, but holds no special privileges or additional status within the community.

Architecture

Materials

The Tak-Mi-Lah uses resources that are readily available within their environment. Wood for frames, animal hides for a outer shell, and mats made from woven grasses or reeds for insulation and flooring.

Designs

As they are nomads, the structures built by the Tak-Mi-Lah are temporary, easily assembled and disassembled, and portable.

Houses

The typical family dwelling is a tent, with a conical frame composed of long wooden struts lashed or locked together at a central peak. This framewokr is wrapped in a large sheet of leather, with a door opening, covered by flap, which can be raised to form a awning. A smoke hole is left at the top to allow for air flow.

Workshops / Storage

Crafting is usually done under the awning of the individuals home. A few lower profile tents with a more oval profile may be utilized for communal storage or food processing.

Fortifications

The Tak-Mi-Lah do not built permanent defenses. they may erect temporary low walls or fences from brush and woven mats on stakes. These are typically used for corralling animals.

Matriarch's Tent

The clan Matriarch's tent is a elaborate structure by comparison to individual homes, and is typically about four or five times the size. A ring of individual tent structures are erected, with the center being a open and covered by a single leather sheet. This allows for separate bedchambers for her many husbands and personal attendants.