Xhiri Hair Symbolism (ZHEE-ree)

Written by orphidor

The Xhiri tend to wear their hair in long, elaborate styles filled with braids, knots, and beads. Though it's easy to assume that they wear their hair this way for aesthetic purposes, in reality, it holds profound and instantly-decipherable meaning to the Xhiri.

Observance

BEADS

If a person has a large, oval-shaped bead on a piece of hair by their cheek, it means they have a child. More of the same type of bead means more children. A cylinder-shaped bead with words carved into its surface, worn at the end of a piece of hair originating from behind the ear, represents a dialect spoken by the wearer. If someone has more than one of this type of bead, they speak in more than one dialect.

BRAIDS

Larger braids in the hair (starting at the temples or the hairline at the middle of the forehead) and the way they're tied at the back of the head represent relationship status: single, engaged, married, looking for a partner, or heartbroken.

KNOTS

The way a person's hair is knotted on the back of their head symbolizes their location of origin.

Primary Related Location

Middle Realm

Important Locations

• Kameshk