Qoûr

The Qoûr people, residing in the icy hinterlands of Jor, have adapted not just to survive but to thrive in their challenging environment. Living mostly in the capital of Editut and the city of Kiwashate, they have developed unique customs, traditions, and ways of life that reflect their deep connection with their surroundings. Their language, Joral, is like a mirror of their world - harsh, guttural, but beautiful and nuanced. Rich in descriptors for snow, ice, and light, Joral speaks volumes of the Qoûr's life amid the frost and their profound relationship with the landscape's ever-shifting hues.
While the cuisine of Qoûr leans heavily towards meat and fish, they've also found ways to utilize the sparse vegetation of the tundra. Ice ferns, lichens, and several hardy root vegetables feature prominently in their diet. A notable Qoûr delicacy is Tikuusoûr, a piquant stew made from slow-cooked reindeer meat, root vegetables, and a variety of local herbs.
A significant portion of the Qoûr economy revolves around hunting and fishing, with reindeer herding forming another cornerstone. Reindeer are highly valued not just for their meat, but also for their hides, bones, and antlers that are used in making tools, clothing, and intricate handicrafts. The Qoûr are particularly known for their bone carvings, pieces of art that often depict scenes from their myths and legends.
Social structure within Qoûr society is fluid and flexible, reflecting their adaptation to an environment where survival often takes precedence. Leadership roles are typically filled by the most experienced and wise, irrespective of gender or family lineage.
Spirituality among the Qoûr, as with many tribes of the Band of Reeds, is deeply tied to nature. They follow the The Great Path of Root & River (Áɦkumátúwo), but their interpretation focuses on the raw, relentless power of the natural world. They believe in a constant cycle of growth and decay, a dance of life and death that paints their world with stark beauty. Among the Qoûr, there are individuals known as Spirit Weavers who guide the tribe's spiritual matters and act as mediums between the people and the harsh yet sacred world they inhabit.
Living in a place that is often gripped by the harsh white silence of winter, the Qoûr have made storytelling an integral part of their culture. Tales spun around the warmth of hearth fires form a crucial part of their oral tradition, serving not only as entertainment but also as a means to pass down wisdom, history, and the tribe's understanding of the world.