Qahalem
1st of Sun's Swell, AE 721
The Qahalem are a relatively small group of inter-related tribes who live along the northern coasts of Ahknei and Krimark. They are a semi-nomadic people number just under ten-thousand, travelling and guiding their deer herds at regular intervals between settlements, moving so the pastures never grow too thin.
The Qahalem typically have warm, tan skin and either fully or partially white hair. They are the only known population among which Kalashtar are born, making up approximately 10% of the total Qahal population.
Naming Traditions
Unisex names
All Qahalem names are considered gender-neutral.
Amaruq, Anana, Aumanil, Illuliaq, Kaskae, Kilaun, Nanuq, Pamiuq, Qammutiq, Sangilak, Sedna, Siarut, Tattilgat, Tulukaruk
Family names
The Qahalem use two surnames: a matronymic name and a clan name, written in that order. Their matronymic name will consist of their mother's given name with the Uvan- prefix added to the front (i.e. if their mother's name is Shila, their matronymic name will be Uvanshila).
Culture
Coming of Age Rites
While not a formal rite, the Qahal have strong oral traditions. Memorizing more and more of their stories and histories is often viewed as a sign of increasing maturity and wisdom.
Common Myths and Legends
The Qahal believe that a person's soul has two parts: the umaffia, created for you by your mother, is the part of the soul which inhabits your physical body, and the ungataanut, created for you by your ancestors, is the part of your soul waiting for you in the afterlife. While they remain separate during a person's lifetime, they are still tethered to each other, and meant to merge into one complete being when a person dies.
However, the actions of a living person can have consequences for their ungataanut. Committing certain taboos can cause it great harm, making it harder for it to merge with its umaffia, or for the merge to be flawed. At a certain point, the two may never be able to merge, causing a person to never be truly whole.
Kalashtar are believed to be the exception to this, having been born with both souls in their physical body, giving rise to their unusual powers.
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