T'kah Lamps

The T'kah lamps are a wearable light source that uses the bioluminescence of the water flowing within the Golcaï in order to provide light through a glass tube attached to one's neck and activated by motion.

Localisation

They are found almost exclusively in northern Mahador Mahador, specificaly along the Golcaï River valley, where they are used by the inhabitants of the Arakan Confederation as light sources and protection charms

Mechanics & Inner Workings

The bioluminescence of the water is triggered by mouvement. As the person moves about, the water inside the T'kah is disturbed, creating light. The light lasts about 30 seconds to a minute without movement.

Manufacturing process

T'kah lamps are made by a Lamp Maker, which is both a practical and ceremonial profession in the Arakan Confederation. They often work with the shaman of the village and/or other members of the fate.
A glass tube is blown by the lampmaker to the desired dimensions of the client (T'kah lamps are made unique for each person) before being cooled. Sometimes the tubes aren't perfectly cylindrical, instead bulging out at the top or bottom, which adds a centimeter or two to its width. Colour can be added to the glass, but this is expensive and reserved for rich/noble customers.
The client is then tasked with fetching water and moss from the Golcai with the tube before returning to the Lamp maker. Since the river is sacred to the local Arakans, this step is highly personal for them as they need to fetch water from the spot in the river which they personaly believe will give them better luck. This can take hours, days or even weeks. Once this is done, they must return to the lamp maker.
The Lamp maker then puts a cork plug, which is made from Cork Oak trees, native to south-east Enaskia nask but also able to be grown in northern Mahador, and is used to seal the tube. trapping the water inside. A small hole is then pierced through the cork plug and a rope is inserted through it and attacked around the person's neck, while reciting a prayer of protection, meant to amplify the effects of the lamp. The T'kah lamp is now ready for use.
Mainly for esteatic purposes, leather strips are usualy tied around the glass, mainly for esthetic purposes. They cross over and under each other at the front and are tied at the unexposed side, near the chest of the wearer. These bands can be dyed many colours, which may represent personal preferences, or aleigence to a particular god within the Ashorin pantheon.

Significance

Practical

The nights are very dangerous in northern Mahador, thanks to most predators being nocturnal. This creates the need for a light source to keep those animals at bay. However, since the enviroment of the region is contantly damp and humid, finding suitable firewood in the wild is near impossible. A typical T'kah lamp offers about the same amount of light as a small fire, and has two main advantages over a campfire: It is portable, as its worn around the neck, it doesn't require constant fuel to stay lit, and it is unnafected by rain, which are a nearly daily occurence in the region, in the form of thunderstorms.

Religious

In the Arakan culture, the Golcai river itself is believed to be either a living god, or the remnans of a fallen god, and soemtimes both. Either way, this means that its waters are considered very holy. Taking some with you via the T'kah is viewed as having a small part of this benevolent god with you and thus, they are considered to be powerful luck and/or protection charms. The leather bands can be coloured to honor a particular god within the pantheon.

by Ephraïm Boateng (Me)

Item type

Tool

Creation Date

In the early years of the Second Age

Dimensions

7-14 cm long / 2-3 cm wide

Raw materials & Components

1. Glass blown into the form of a tube
2. Water from the Golcaï River
3. Cork plug inserted into the tube
4. A medium-lenght string
5. Thin Leather Strips or bands