Imaziɣen (Ee-mah-zee-gh-ehn)

A nomadic and nocturnal people making their home throughout the Shamsi Desert. They possess blessings of Rithaldis, Sylthari and Gokmar which allows them to thrive even in the most treacherous and radioactive parts of the Dunes. They are one of the oldest ethnic groups native to Shamsi, indigenous. These are a scattered but persistent people, a consequence of repeated outside influence and occupation—something that touches even their architecture. Most are tribal nomads, urban traders or even politicians. Yet the most traditional Imazighen make their home in hidden oases of Shamsi or who fall back to the craggy mountains of northern Alkelbulan, especially prevalent in Aznag and Idraren Draren.

The majority of Imaziɣen are either migrant traders or those who have settled into sedentary farming of Azeradj Olive Tree, Isik Sakiz Tree or Khisbat Palm in oases settlements. They have assimilated into the culture of their Arabiyy invaders, speaking al-'arabiyyah and practicing Islam al'Rasul. Only recently has the Kingdom of Accia pushed back Khalifah al-Rasul, the Imazighen still uncertain whether its freedom or another yoke set before them. Highland and nomadic tribes have a stronger distrust of Accian promises and treaties. A few tribes even see this as their opportunity to liberate Sahra' al-Shams before their latest invaders can set down roots. Night raids on Accian Military forces have been increasing in frequency as the kingdom settles in, other tribes going about their business as traders or pastorialists as they always have.

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Racial Magic

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As the largest native population of Shamsi, it may be unsurprising they are capable of nearly every kind of radiant magic, blessings of Rithaldis. Celestial manifestations of Sylthari are also prevalent alongside Gokmar and some Ilnid blessings. Whether they received Ilnid's blessings before or after being conquered by the Arabiyy is unclear.

Known Manifestations

Rithaldis

Manipulation	Aura	Movemnt	Eye	Sense	Skin	Touch
Charge	Blade	Breath	Shield	Vision	Step	Form

Sylthari
Aura
Movement
Eye
Sense

Gokrilvek
Aura
Movement
Slip
Craft

Ilnid
Manipulation
Sense
Breath
Form

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Language

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Tamaziɣt is the spoken language while the script they use is called Tifinaɣ, ⵜⴼⵏⵗ or ⵜⵉⴼⵉⵏⴰⵖ. A common letter not present in Accian is ɣ, the closest sound being gh. It is a voiced velar frictive, made by constricting airflow between the soft palate and back of tongue. This language can be grouped together with other Shamsi' Walmashriq languages and even further with the Nil-Shamsi languages. There are a number of more specific versions of Tamaziɣt such as Tmaziqɣt, Taqbaylit, Taclḥiyt, Maziɣ and Tamahaq.

Common Names

Surnames

Ait, Aitbrahim, Benasser, Haliche, Izem, Maziɣ, Mbarek, Meziane, Mokrani, Ouyahia, Tamaziɣt, Zammit, Zeroual

Female

Adamamt, Aldjya, Azil, Badida, Baya, Bbiya, Dihiya, Duna, Emmahin, Fakka, Fella, Gedida, Gelwan, Gouraya, Iṭṭuba, Lilleo, Loundja, Numidia, Sallentet, Tadazt, Tafalkayt, Tafukt, Tanit, Tayzemt, Tilleli, Tuḍut, Tunsia, Una, Ziddina

Male

Aderbal, Afaw, Aɣilas, Amanar, Ayyur, Badis, Kasîla, Mastanabal, Yuba, Ziri

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Traditions

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Imaziɣen woman are known to weave kilims, woven tapestries and carpets. These have different distinct patterns varying by region or tribe. Stripes and geometric shapes like triangles and diamonds are common. Sequins and fringes are also a traditional feature. A few festivals are also traditional to the Imazighen including Tbourida, Yennayer and Souch Aam. Tbourida is called Mawsim by Arabiyy, performed during cultural events and weddings. It is an exhibition of horsemanship, several riders coordinating their movements and alongside racial magic.

Souk Aam, or Betrothal Festival, is a unique gathering of tribes to seek out marriage. It can be difficult to find a partner in their scattered and conservative way of life. This festival allows young men and woman to meet in an acceptable setting, up to forty couples taking their vows in a single day! There is also music, dancing, feasts and vivid clothing as they celebrate love and their cultural unity.

Yennayer dates back to long before the Erlithmanil walked Emynea, celebrating the bond between the Imazighen and the land. Its also their new year festival. They celebrate the wealth and generosity of Emynea, a festival of nature, agrarian life, rebirth and abundance. This is the first month of their year but their celebration can last up to three days. Festivities include joyful music, feasting and family bonding and even special events like weddings and a child's first haircut. A full belly on Yennayer is beleived to chase away poverty or famine in the upcoming year but woman will also sprinkle crumbs outside for birds and animals.

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Clothing

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Men drape themselves in a signature cloak made of camel hair and wool. It keeps them warm during cold desert nights, when most Imazighen herdsman are active. Turbans are both practical and popular.

Woman adorn themselves with elaborate silver jewery. Triangular plates and pins clasp their clothes together while necklaces, bracelets and earrings dangle about them. Much of the rest of their clothing carries the mark of their occupations. The haik, a cloth one wraps around their body, resembles the Quiris toga. Arabiyy turbans, mandeels (face coverings) and chalwar (pants) are also worn and woman cover their hair with scarves. Woman also dress in far more colorful outfits further from Arabiyy regions and influence.

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Food

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Imazighen Dishes

Seksu (couscous)

Tajine (stew)

Malsouka (pigeon meat pie)

Bouchiar (sweet wafers)

Baɣrir (honey soaked pancake)

Tahricht (specially baked sheep offal)

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History

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Early in Emynean history, the Imaziɣen had their own kingdoms spanning Sahra' al-Shams. But when Ilnid was born, his Khalifah al-Rasul empire suppressed Imaziɣen influence and scattered their civilization. Most fled to the most intense reaches of the desert, too dangerous for outsiders, while the rest continued their lifestyle nomads, facilitating trade or even becoming sedentary farmers.

The Arabiyy conquerers slowly assimilated these sedentary Imaziɣen, many converting to Islam al'Rasul and taking al-'arabiyyah as their first language. However, those living in the dangerous depths of the desert in Aznag maintain their own oases or highland communities in Idraren Draren, preserving their original culture and language. Simultaneously, these different settlements and communities were more isolated than in the past, diversifying dialects into alternate Tamaziɣt languages and subethnicities like the Leqbayel, Imaseglɣan, Iznaten, Ishelhien, Iriffiyen and Ishawiyen.

The Leqbayel have a settlement along the northern coast in Libu, tucked within an irradiated mountain range. They have a thriving port inside a safe seaside pocket but it was this port that allowed Arabiyy conquerors to finally overcome them, those unwilling to be assimilated retreating into the mountains. Those who remained became major agriculturists of Azeradj Olive Trees.

These laborers were not treated as equals, sharecropping, serfdom and even slavery occuring. There are tales of revolts taking place, Imazighen in the mountains descending and rallying these serfs to drive out the Arabiyy. However, they would always return by sea.

This continued until recently, as the Kingdom of Accia spread into Shamsi and opposed Ilnid's forces. The Imaziɣen allied themselves with Accian Quiris forces, pushing out Arabiyy influence. This triggered a string of treaties between Accia and most sedentary Imaziɣen settlements. However, the majority of nomads remain skeptical of these outsiders and some go so far as raiding Accian encampments or processions, covering their retreats with Ramli al-Hanzal sandstorm bombs. They refuse to give up their children to the kingdom, resisting Accian influence at every turn, untrusting.

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Government

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Most nomadic Imaziɣen are tribal and leadership is appointed. Outside of Khalifah al-Rasul's influence, female leaders thrive but those under Arabiyy influence can only appoint men. Some tribes are more hierarchal than others, Imazighen tribes even having had kings in their past. Others are led by spiritual leaders and have a communal structure. In times of great crisis, tribal leaders may meet to resolve whatever plagues them.

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Architecture

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One might not expect a nomadic people to possess traditional architecture but the Imazighen are full of surprises! Their most impressive constructs lay deep within the radiant desert, centered around hidden oases or overlooking fertile floodplains. Built into these safe havens are kashahs (fortresses) and ksour (fortified villages)—the last defense if their enemies manage to traverse these dangerous sands. These stone fortresses were carved by hand into the craggy hamadas and mountains of Shamsi, blending into the desert amid sandstorms. Imazighen create flat roofed buildings made of rammed earth, if not carved from raw stone, and are either whitewashed or painted with geometric patterns.

In the highlands, hilltops are dotted by ksour and ɣorfa (fortified graineries). These are made with loose stone, mortar and clay. Not all of these settlements are constantly occupied, some operating instead as transient pit stops set into place as respite for nomads, travelers and merchants. A handful of small businesses inhabit these safe havens, meeting the needs of travelers and trading with those passing through. There are rumors of hidden pathways through the desert, too dangerous for outsiders, and of Imazighen smugglers who are willing to transport any cargo, for a price. These are mostly black market deals and contraband, these smugglers capable of dodging Accian checkpoints and unwanted eyes.

Established oases towns of Sahra Shamsi, along safer routes for those without Rithaldis' blessings, are inhabited by sedentary Imazighen who have accepted Arabiyy rule and religion. Despite this, their mosques have their own styles with domed prayer halls, low-lying and whitewashed structures made of stone or rammed earth, barrel vaults and unique minarets. These minarets are tall with a square base which tapers at its end. Some call these "fortified mosques", doubling as a fortress if they are attacked.

Other structures are made from dry stone or mudbrick, as wood isn't readily available. Over their long history, they've adopted architecture from their previous invaders including Quiris, Arabiyy and Turkler. As an example, they may construct villas or tombs for aristocracy. Mounds, well-cut masonry, columns and cornices are also apparent. There is even a tomb which has columns, spiral pathways and domes. Another common tomb is a three story structure topped by a convex pyramid. For any who seek them out, remains of ancient civilization like amphitheaters and colloseums lay abandoned, slowly digested by endless hungry sand.

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Rites of Passage

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Marraige

In many tribes, the groomn selects a potential bride and her family makes the decision. By contrast, there are tribes in which the woman chooses her own husband. These traditions and marriage rites differ dramatically between Imazighen tribes, including whether the tribe is patriarchal or matriarchal.

In patriarchal tribes, men take care of the livestock and migrate by following their animals' natural grazing patterns. They procure wild plants, wool and milk and seek out shade and shelter. Woman instead look after the family and work on crafts, for the family and for selling in souqs (open air markets)

Death

Traditional Imaziɣen will entomb their dead and paint them with radiant-resistant ochre to protect them from decay. A number of objects are usually buried with them including Ostritch eggs, jewelry and weapons. However, there is one community which mummifies their dead as well. They buried their dead in caves, tumuli, tombs in rocks, mounds and even megalithic structures like pyramids.

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Religion

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Most Imaziɣen have converted to Islam al'Rasul, revering Ilnid, Luxis and Lithmor. However, many of the nomadic or isolated oases have their own pantheistic belief systems. Traditional Imaziɣen beliefs differ by tribe. Some tribes view their ancestors as deities, trying to consult with them when facing uncertainty. They even use a combination of herbs like Artemesia, Isik Gozyaslari and Lux Thyme before sleeping overtop tombs, seeking out prophetic dreams. This is especially practiced with tombs ancient and respected leaders, those considered honorable and brave. They are viewed similarly to saints.

Others practice a more ancient religion which worships the sun, celestial bodies and the stones of the earth itself. They especially venerate Lithmor alongside her celestial daughter, Sylthari. Over the millennia, a secretive cult has constructed megalithic structures engraved with their own script and even mysterious Glyphs, their purpose unknown. Only their reverence for the stars is apparent. They have their own secret names for their pantheon but the Quiris call them Dii Mauri. Finally, the rest of the Imazighen tend to worship the Masriyyin's ancient pantheon, Netjer Pesedjet. Their war god is named Gurzil, son of Raet, and he resembles the Quiris deity Saturn. Which Erlithmanil these were associated to is a matter of academic debate in Sesli Plato.