Imkalans
Dalran: Imkalere /ɪmkha:lrɛ:rɛ:/
Afnat: Akn Imkal /akhn ɪmkha:l/
Samlan: Imakonn /ɪ:ma:kɔtn̥/
The imkalans1 inhabit a number of city-states in Imkala, region in southern Emlas characterized by lowland swamps and forested hills to the north. They are an important link in the trade-routes between eastern and western Emlas, and the eastern states are currently at war with the empire of Dalra, which seeks to expand its borders into Imkala.
Samlan: Imakonn /ɪ:ma:kɔtn̥/
The imkalans1 inhabit a number of city-states in Imkala, region in southern Emlas characterized by lowland swamps and forested hills to the north. They are an important link in the trade-routes between eastern and western Emlas, and the eastern states are currently at war with the empire of Dalra, which seeks to expand its borders into Imkala.
Culture
Apparel
Most imkalans wear cotton2 or -to the northeast- woolen clothing, men wear little more than wraparound loincloth while women usually wear more elaborate ones along with ponchos, or cloaks wrapped around the body in various ways.
In the lowlands, footwear is restricted to the wealthy as they can afford a canoe or palanquin everywhere they go, while in the drier region to the north, shoes and sandals are more common for most people.
Jewelry is popular by imkalans from all walks of life, usually made of gold or peacock-, parrot- or chicken feathers.
Imkalan men and women alike pull their hair in a bun, either above the forehead (for women) or on top of the head (for men). Yellow and white face- and body-paint is common throughout Imkala, with patterns varying between city-states.
Jewelry is popular by imkalans from all walks of life, usually made of gold or peacock-, parrot- or chicken feathers.
Imkalan men and women alike pull their hair in a bun, either above the forehead (for women) or on top of the head (for men). Yellow and white face- and body-paint is common throughout Imkala, with patterns varying between city-states.
Imkalan hairstyles and face-paint by Lappalingur
Art
Architecture
Most imkalan structures are constructed of wood, with thatched roofs and wicker screens for walls, except for forts and watchtowers, which are made of stone, and temples which are either carved into caves (in the highlands) or out of rock spires (in the lowlands). Buildings in lowland settlements are built on stilts and connected by wooden platforms or bridges, both to defend them against vermin and seasonal floods.
Traditional imkalan house by Lappalingur
Cuisine
Waterlilies are staple crop of the imkalans, specifically a variety with larger rhizomes than the wild ones, though virtually every part of the plant is edible. Dairy products, fish and fowl, mangoes, eggplants, mustard, pepper and turmeric are also an important part of imkalan diet.Religion
The imkalans worship a large pantheon of deities by sacrificing food, drink, flowers and certain animals (particularly horses) to them in temples carved out of rock spires or caves. Like their dalran equivalent, imkalan priests consume a brew (þáta) made from a sacred plant before performing rituals, believing that in their intoxicated state they become closer to the gods.
Funerary practices
Cremation is the norm among the imkalans, in the eastern city-states they are performed on top of special towers while elsewhere by river banks.Imkalan temple by Lappalingur
1Original icelandic: Imkalar, singular: Imkali
2Different variety than the cotton grown in Laxilþía.
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