The Ixaili Tribe
Natives to the archipelago Yopál, The Ixaili Tribe is believed to be one of the oldest civilizations. The Tribe is comprised entirely of Chuāceshāuh and most Chuāceshāuh are members of the Ixaili Tribe.
The Tribe itself is split into three ethnic groups, Southern Ixaili, Northern Ixaili, and Western Ixaili. In the Ixaili oral history, the creation of these distrint groups ties back to the early days of the tribe. The 3 main leaders of the tribe each devoted themselves fully to one of the 3 deities in the tribe's faith (Nguatlism): Ápɤ, Izâl.
The Ixaili Tribe is often seen as another of the ethnic groups of The Isneaqian, due to the similarities between the groups. However, the Ixaili Tribe is a distinct ethnicity specific to the Chuāceshāuh.
Age range: 0-20
Given names are the names an Ixaili is given at birth.
Example given names: Jâz, Jâ, Jia, Jin, Ká, Káa, Kyi, Lâ, Luâ, Lui, Lyi, Lɤz, Nai, Nɤl, Pâa, Páz, Qin, Quà, Qɵz, Sáh, Sâl, Suâ, Szɤ, Tâi, Tsɤ, Tɤ, Wâa, Xái, Xii, Xui, Xɵn, Zâh.
Age range: ~20-30
Juvenile names, as the name suggests, are names given to juvenile Ixaili. They hold this name from their 20th birthday until the start of their trial.
Example Juvenile Names: Jáaz, Kâai, Lyoá, Mâii, Nàxl, Ngáa, Ngâz, Ngœ, Száa, Szia, Táal, Tsân, Tszi, Xátl, Zâal, Záan, Zchá
Age Range: ~25-45
Trial names are given on the Ixaili's Tziechâxl and held until the end of Kuoltahol tumu. Trial names have the same number of letters as juvenile names but are different than juvenile names. As Ixaili going through Kuoltahol Tumu are still juveniles, they don't have an extra letter to their name. Whether or not the trial name resembles the juvenile name is not certain, but usually holds some similarities. The easiest way to denote whether an Ixaili has a juvenile or trial name is by the presence of fledgling anatomy.
Age Range: ~45-300+
Upon completing Kuoltahol Tumu, the Ixaili earn their "True" name to reward their devotion to Nguozo. This name may hold some similarities to previous names, but unlike previous names, there is no rule that it should hold similarities to those previous names. Names are commonly names previously held by notable figures in the Tribe, words that encompass their True Purpose, or extensions of previous names.
Example True Names: Kauxl, Kietl, Lyonâ, Lypàtl, Mâaei, Nietl, Nœpâa, Nyitl, Quaih, Sâiiz, Souxl, Szatl, Sziin, Szyin, Szɤtl, Tchâa, Tchai, Tchɤi, Tchɤn, Tszàh, Tszai, Tszân, Xaixl, Zâiih.
Ixaili Naming Traditions
Instead of having one name, the Ixaili throughout their lives have many names, each given at a different point in life. Any given name does not have an associated gender, as gender plays little in much of the Ixaili culture. Every Ixaili will have at least 4 names, each with a different number of letters. The number of letters denotes an Ixaili's age and/or position. The letter count is based on the romanized spelling of the names, not the characters, as the Ixaili alphabet characters has numerous diphthongs and consonant clusters that are one character. There are 5 types of names; given names, juvenile names, trial names, true names, and special names. Outside of given names, there is no set chronological point where new names are given. When and how long one has a juvenile, trial, true or special name is not based on age. Ixaili names often have no inherent meaning, especially those that are given. True Names might carry a meaning, either in a person who previously held the name or in the case of True Names being existing words.Given Names
Letter count: 2-3Age range: 0-20
Given names are the names an Ixaili is given at birth.
Example given names: Jâz, Jâ, Jia, Jin, Ká, Káa, Kyi, Lâ, Luâ, Lui, Lyi, Lɤz, Nai, Nɤl, Pâa, Páz, Qin, Quà, Qɵz, Sáh, Sâl, Suâ, Szɤ, Tâi, Tsɤ, Tɤ, Wâa, Xái, Xii, Xui, Xɵn, Zâh.
Juvenile Names
Letter count: 4Age range: ~20-30
Juvenile names, as the name suggests, are names given to juvenile Ixaili. They hold this name from their 20th birthday until the start of their trial.
Example Juvenile Names: Jáaz, Kâai, Lyoá, Mâii, Nàxl, Ngáa, Ngâz, Ngœ, Száa, Szia, Táal, Tsân, Tszi, Xátl, Zâal, Záan, Zchá
Trial Names
Letter count: 4Age Range: ~25-45
Trial names are given on the Ixaili's Tziechâxl and held until the end of Kuoltahol tumu. Trial names have the same number of letters as juvenile names but are different than juvenile names. As Ixaili going through Kuoltahol Tumu are still juveniles, they don't have an extra letter to their name. Whether or not the trial name resembles the juvenile name is not certain, but usually holds some similarities. The easiest way to denote whether an Ixaili has a juvenile or trial name is by the presence of fledgling anatomy.
True Names
Letter count: 5Age Range: ~45-300+
Upon completing Kuoltahol Tumu, the Ixaili earn their "True" name to reward their devotion to Nguozo. This name may hold some similarities to previous names, but unlike previous names, there is no rule that it should hold similarities to those previous names. Names are commonly names previously held by notable figures in the Tribe, words that encompass their True Purpose, or extensions of previous names.
Example True Names: Kauxl, Kietl, Lyonâ, Lypàtl, Mâaei, Nietl, Nœpâa, Nyitl, Quaih, Sâiiz, Souxl, Szatl, Sziin, Szyin, Szɤtl, Tchâa, Tchai, Tchɤi, Tchɤn, Tszàh, Tszai, Tszân, Xaixl, Zâiih.
Family Names
Very few Ixaili have family names or surnames. While there are some bloodlines which are recognized as being important, such as the Nâaz family who had such legendary members as Ahqutl and Quñaii, the surname is not used outside of official records. In the example of the Nâaz family, the surname Nâaz was ascribed the family long after its inception. These family or surnames are given for little reason other than organizational purposes and are rarely spoken outside of records and history. The names also seldom have a pre-existing meaning, most meanings that arise coming from ideas associated with the family the name was ascribed to.Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Ixaili
Common Etiquette rules
The Ixaili are very tactile in societal customs and communication, which can be strange for foreigners. Due to a majority of Ixaili having eye and vision problems, or vestigial eyes, most of the Ixaili communication is tactile or auditory. Younger Ixaili who still have sight have their own "slang" customs, which rely more on visual cues, when talking to each other. This is actually considered its own nonverbal language- Putieszhɤtchl, derived from 'putiez shɤtchl' (lit. "Liar's tongue"). But, while Putieszhɤtch is only known and understood by some and not permitted for foreigners to learn, all Ixaili are familiar with traditional nonverbal customs and expect non-Ixaili to respect and know traditional customs.
Also called: Nihingil, Nihing, Ngini The traditional greeting of the Ixaili is the Nihi Ngil. In this custom, one of the parties presses the other's hands loosely together, then bows their head and brings the hands to their brow (traditionally). The meaning of the gesture changes based on where the hands are pressed.
If one greets or is greeted with this gesture, it is expected to also do the same gesture as a farewell. Not doing so is considered both impolite, disrespectful, and an aggressive act. Nihi Tsiuxl (lit. 'Equal hands')
Also called: Nihitsiuxl, Tsini(h)
Younger generations of Ixaili disliked some aspects of Nihi Ngill, mainly with there having to be only one of the two people receiving the gesture. Nihi Tsiuxl is based on Nihi Ngil, it is a simplified version where both parties do the same gesture. Both parties put their right hands together (hands flat and vertical), then place their left hand on the outside of the others' right hand. Unlike the Nihi Ngil, this gesture does not have a variety of meanings. Instead, Nihi Tsiuxl's meaning is just a casual greeting between two who see each other as equals.
Tactile Customs
Hand holding
While in most cultures hand holding is a form of intimacy, whether it be platonic or romantic, in the Ixaili Culture, holding, touching, or grabbing hands is a very common thing without connotations of intimacy. Holding or touching hands is used in a variety of ways including- Showing someone something by placing their hands on it
- Greeting someone with the traditional Nihi Ngil
- Promising something or making a deal by placing their hands over their heart
- Guiding someone by pointing their hand in the correct direction
- Holding someone's hands while having a conversation to show you are paying attention
Greetings
Nihi Ngil (lit. 'hand touch')Also called: Nihingil, Nihing, Ngini The traditional greeting of the Ixaili is the Nihi Ngil. In this custom, one of the parties presses the other's hands loosely together, then bows their head and brings the hands to their brow (traditionally). The meaning of the gesture changes based on where the hands are pressed.
- Pressing to the heart or chest is typically used between family members or romantic partners.
- Pressing to the forehead (not brow) is a sign of respect, typically used in greeting elders or people of a higher position. It is also used to show remorse or as part of an apology.
- Pressing to the lips is exclusively used between couples/significant others. Traditionally, it is the most common public display of affection when following the traditional courting rituals.
- Pressing to the cheek is used when greeting a friend, pressing to both cheeks can then denote the importance of the friendship. Generally, this is the more informal greeting.
- When greeting non-Ixaili, frequently the hands are not pressed anywhere, rather just brought halfway to the face. This is used especially in political or diplomatic situations.
If one greets or is greeted with this gesture, it is expected to also do the same gesture as a farewell. Not doing so is considered both impolite, disrespectful, and an aggressive act. Nihi Tsiuxl (lit. 'Equal hands')
Also called: Nihitsiuxl, Tsini(h)
Younger generations of Ixaili disliked some aspects of Nihi Ngill, mainly with there having to be only one of the two people receiving the gesture. Nihi Tsiuxl is based on Nihi Ngil, it is a simplified version where both parties do the same gesture. Both parties put their right hands together (hands flat and vertical), then place their left hand on the outside of the others' right hand. Unlike the Nihi Ngil, this gesture does not have a variety of meanings. Instead, Nihi Tsiuxl's meaning is just a casual greeting between two who see each other as equals.
Coming of Age Rites
Ixaili coming of age is a long and spiritual process. While Ixaili are born relatively human looking, once they start to come of age they begin to grow more inhuman characteristics. This eventually culminates into an Ixaili coming into their full power and ability to shift their form, or, a painful process in which an Ixaili loses their connection to their magic and Nguozo.
Tziechâxl
Sitszi c'achl
Xelei
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
With widespread blindness among most of the tribe, there are very few beauty standards. Adult Ixaili strive to have intricate scarifications and take pride in these. The scarifications are a part of coming of age, usually starting after losing their sight.
Gender Ideals
The Ixaili tribe is very lax with gender roles, not believing in a gender binary or strict gender roles. One's given gender affects very little in the way of jobs, position, status, etc.
Relationship Ideals
Polyamory is very common in the tribe, as are casual relationships. Sexual, romantic, and platonic relationships are greatly respected and respected equally.
Major organizations
Northern Ixaili Monks, Southern Ixaili Monks, Ixaili Council.
Diverged ethnicities
Encompassed species
Related Organizations
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