Khahma
As fire burns, so do we, and as smoke rises, so do weThe Khahma are an ethnic group who live primarily in Nefrale. They are known for distancing themselves from the wider world, though they do participate in some ways, including teaching and sending children to public schools, as well as breeding and selling Flicker Cats. They are believed to be one of the oldest ethnic groups in Nideon.
Religious Beliefs
The Khahma identify as believers of the Calistian gods, and they can often be identified as they wear the symbols of the Calistian gods as jewelry, particularly the gods of fire, light, and lightning. They also seem to have a belief in reincarnation akin to the Xurugwi, though they do not identify themselves as Xurugwi and their rituals bear only a passing resemblance. Some anthropologists believe the Khahma faith was a precursor to the Xurugwi faith.Magic
Much of Khahma religion and culture centers on fire, electricity, and light. Khahma children are taught at home to master these magically, and most Khahma, whether naturally gifted or not, have some control over these. Many schools near Khahma villages hire Khahma teachers to train students in these forms of Magic. All Khahma rituals are connected to these three elements. Khahma children are also trained in traditional healing practices, though these are rarely used outside of the villages. The Khahma people refrain from visiting outside doctors or healers whenever possible, preferring to keep medical histories within the village.Education
Education is very important among the Khahma. All children are taught in the ways of the religion, as well as the magical working of fire, electricity, and light. Most Khahma children are sent to public schools, and many attend universities as adults. Likewise, many Khahma adults teach at nearby schools and universities.Khahma Villages
I never saw a car in the village, but everywhere there were Flicker Cats. I suppose they must ride their cats into the city.As part of their separation from the outside world, most Khahma live in isolated villages outside of major cities. They are generally self-sustaining. They grow and hunt their own food, use well water, and light their homes through their own magic. Many of these villages are places that others would have to go out of their way to get to, though some do, particularly for buying Flicker Cats, as the Khahma are said to the be the best breeders of the prized animal. More commonly the Khahma themselves will visit nearby cities, though there is a question among some as to how, exactly they travel, as many Khahma do not own vehicles and the cats are the only animals they are known to keep.
Leaving the Village
Though the Khahma people tend to isloate themselves from outside society, there is no taboo against leaving the village. Just as Khahma attend school and work outside of the village, many adult Khahma leave the village to live closer in the city, or even to travel to other places, often returning home when they intend to marry and start a family.Common Dress
The Khahma people, like many other ethniticies in Nideon, can be easily identified by their style of dress. The Khahma have traditionally made their own fabric, which many still do today. Khahma women frequently wear knee-length dresses that flare below the waist, with a fitted bust, and puffed sleeves. Men often wear simple trousers with fitted shirts that also have loose sleeves. Boots are common footwear for all. Most Khahma carry quilted blankets instead of coats, which are known for bearing a criss-cross pattern. Khahma clothing are most frequently made in red, yellow, and blue and adorned with metal jewelry representing the Calistian gods, as well as multi-colored feathers. They also frequently wear feathers in their hair, which has no standard length.Rites and Rituals
We do not need elaborate celebrations, for our memories are enough
Birth Rites
Births are normally small affairs among the Khahma, as they believe most babies are reincarnations of the dead. When a baby is born, the home is lit with red, yellow, and blue lights to signal the soul has returned to the world, and friends and family may come by to visit and bring gifts and food to the baby. Babies are usually named after recently deceased family members. On the occasion that a baby is born that is believed to be a new soul in the world (not a reincarnation), an incredible village-wide party is held. This can last entire day or longer, filled with food, singing, a bonfire, and dedicating the baby to the Calistian gods. These children are usually given new names, that have never previously been held in the family.Marriage
Most Khahma marriages are simple affairs, often married by a temple leader, only with close family present. Sometimes Khahma couples prefer a fancier affair, however, and may choose to have a larger wedding, selecting from a variety of Nideon traditions.Conversion
As the Khahma people embrace separation from the outside world, Khahma conversions are usually held with only Khahma people in attendance. The convert is dressed in elegant clothing and has their hair adorned with feathers. The temple leader presents them to the community, and the ceremony usually ends with a meal.Death Rites
by Melina K
A Khahma funeral almost always involves cremation, as the smoke is believed to help the soul on its next journey. These are also small affairs, except when the deceased is believed to have returned home and no longer needs to be reincarnated. Such funerals may last for many days, with prayers and songs in honor of the dead. A fire is kept burning throughout this time. Though the body is still usually cremated, a marker is erected in remembrance of the person. This could be a garden, plaque, tombstone, or other marker, the only requirement being that is a place the living may visit to remember the lost.
Reception
The Khahma people have had a mixed reception from others in Nefrale. Legally, they are recognized as one of the oldest ethnic groups in the area, and allowed to maintain their villages and their way of life. Some, however, view them as backward and overly set in their ways.Zuthruk Massacre
In the 13th century, a group of Nefralen men became convinced that the Khahma people living in a local village called Zuthruk were harboring phoenixes. They entered the village at night and kidnapped as many of the people that they could in order to enslave them and utilize their magical abilities. Those who resisted were killed, and later the village was burned down for good measure. It is said that the men slaughtered every living thing in sight, and that life has yet to return to the area, though others claim this is conflating the story with that of the nearby Fire Hollow. Regardless, it is truth that the village was massacred, and now a temple stands in its place, to which many Khahma make pilgrimage to honor those who were lost.
by Joana Abreu
Trial of the Artemis Sisters
In 1806, a trio of Khahma women, calling themselves the Artemis Sisters (though they most likely were not actually sisters), went on a killing spree throughout Nefrale. When they were caught in 1813, they claimed this was revenge for the Zuthruk Massacre. Though the Khahma people often prefer to dole out justice in their own villages, there was no resistance from Khahma leaders against a Nefralen trial for the Artemis sisters, who were publicly executed two years later.Flicker Cats
The Khahma people are known for breeding and training Flicker Cats , particularly near the village of Reeve, which is outside of Flicker Forest. They have bred the cats for centuries for hunting, though the cats are also frequently sought after as guardians, particularly by those venturing through or near Fire Hollow. The trade and sale of Flicker Cats is what the Khahma people are most known for, and has instigated some claims of abuse by animal protection organizations, but all such claims have been found to be false. In fact, in some cases, Khahma people have been known to take back or adopt Flicker Cats that have been abused.
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