Bemlans

History

The bemlans have inhabited the Beml Islands in relative isolation for millennia, contact with the mainland has historically been restricted to the Paróbaxi on Búxó Peninsula to the southeast. Although they occasionally trade with the paróbaxi, the bemlans are also infamous for raiding coastal settlements in Paróbax to obtain goods and slaves.
Recently, some of the southernmost tribes have adopted agriculture in favour of traditional hunting, gathering and fishing, along with foreign customs, which has caused a divide amongst the tribes on whether to embrace this or stick to the old traditions.

Society

Bemlans are made up of numerous tribes found throughout the islands, most of which live by the sea and hunt in the woods and mountains within their own territory, though certain tribes also have shared hunting grounds. Trespassing on another tribe's hunting grounds is a serious crime in bemlan society, almost as severe as murder.
Villages are made up of a few large longhouses with thatched roofs, most of which are homes for extended families while others are used for ritual dances and other ceremonies. Palisades mark the boundaries of each village, with some posts carved in the likeness of certain animals to keep evil at bay.
Each tribe is named after its totemic animal, such as boars, wolves, cranes, dragonflies and spiders, which are displayed on banners to the south and ceremonial staves elsewhere. Killing and especially eating the sacred animal of one's tribe is taboo, and special ceremonies must be held to placate its spirit if that happens.

Standard of the Western Crane Tribe by Lappalingur

Culture

Apparel

Traditional bemlan clothing is made from animal skins, barkcloth and -more recently- the hairs of sanxean wool dogs². Men usually wear a loincloth of some sort and a cape or vest, while women wear short, sleeveless tunics, sometimes with one shoulder exposed and often fastened with elaborate sash. Cloaks made from sea otter fur are often worn by chiefs during festivals, as are broad barkcloth hats to the south, inspired by the paróbaxi.

Bemlan paróbaxi-style hat and nacre bead by Lappalingur

Cuisine

Bemlan diet consists mostly of wild game, fish (especially salmon) and marine mammals, along with seaweed, berries, bulbs, mushrooms and -to the south- peaches, acorns and chestnuts. Noodles are eaten by some bemlans as well, though they are made from steamed kelp rather than acorn meal.
Since agriculture spread to the southern bemlans, water oats, beans and cabbage have become part of their cuisine as well.
Most food is either eaten with wooden spoons or by hand.

Religion

Each tribe focuses their prayers and ceremonies on their totemic animal, along with other important animal spirits such as bears and ravens, as well as spirits protecting the home. Ceremonies are held whenever they are considered necessary, such as before or after hunting expeditions, or when receiving visitors from other tribes.

Funeral practices

Excarnation is the norm among most bemlans, where the dead are left in certain locations outside the village, though the southern tribes have adopted burial to some extend.

Warfare

Bemlans are notable for applying poison obtained from a variety of plants on their arrows and spearheads, both for hunting and warfare. Lethal ones are mostly used for hunting, while other substances are used to weaken enemies to make them easier to capture during slave raids.

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¹Original icelandic: Bemlar, singular: Bemli.
²Main article: Dogs.

Bemlan woman by Lappalingur

Related Locations

• Beml Islands