Drikha Braids

In the southeast of Jiazera, there are the remains of an old kingdom called Drikha. The kingdom was long ago folded into other kingdoms and empires and finally into the latest global government.

While the government and other cultural shifts have happened, one thing is still going strong, and it is the Drikha braids. Dirkha braids, or braids of love as they are also known, are how the Drikha people have expressed their love to family, friends, and lovers. Surrounding areas have seen and picked up parts of the language and used them, but many don’t know the full language; only the Drikha do.

Here is just the start of the language.

For women with different hair braids. Starting with the two-strand braids that resemble a rope, a newly married woman will wear these. It is said to symbolize the joining of two people together. Typically worn until a child is born. Ribbons can be added; the most common colors are purple and teal, which stand for love, commitment, and loyalty. White means they are pregnant.

A three-strand braid is what young children wear. Girls grow out all of their hair and have it braided. It is accessorized with cream or white ribbons until they reach courting age, late teens, 16-18, and the color changes. Reds means that they are open to being courted. Yellows mean that they are not ready. Blue means they are in a relationship. Blue with a cream strip means engaged.

Boys also have a braid. They will grow a section of their hair behind their left ear, which is what they braid. Instead of ribbons, they used beads, in the same color scheme as the girls. When men marry, they will replace the beads with purple and teal ones.

Once a woman has children, the strands will go up to four, then ribbons are added in colors of green, representing each child. Men will add green beads representing their children.

That is what people know of the language around the family, but there is even more. There are braided accessories created from ribbon, yarn, rope, and beads that the Drikha have not explained to others. One that has been kind of figured out is that they have friendship braids. Colors, braid type, and pattern tell how close they are. And in some cases, if it is an old friendship. Those outsiders who have lived with them for years say that the language encompasses all aspects of love but is difficult to explain. However, they say that a Drikha can look at another and tell a lot about the other. Such as if they are married, widowed, with a child, or not. Whether they have close friends or just many different friends. And in some cases, what their hobbies are.