Sokhaineans (People)
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 2,054,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Languages | |
| Sokha | |
| Religion | |
| Doshidin |
The Sokhainean People are an ethnic group indigenous to the island continent of Safiloa, where they make up nearly 50% of the population. The name "Sokhainean" comes from the Proto-Sokhainean word Sokhā, meaning "Children of the Horizon".
Distribution & Diaspora
Culture Sokhainean culture is deeply spiritual and tied to their ancestral lands, waters, and the celestial patterns of the sky. The faith of the Sokhainean people centers around the concept of balance between the material world (Nifkawa) and the spiritual world (Kalhawa), both of which are integral to their religious identity. Sokhainea is divided into multiple cultural regions, each led by a local Muhan (a religious chieftain), with lineage and leadership passing through matrilineal lines in most regions.
Music and dance play a critical role in Sokhainean society, often used in religious rites, seasonal festivals, and social gatherings. Sokhainean music is marked by complex polyrhythms, call-and-response vocals, and the use of traditional instruments such as the zimfira (a stringed instrument similar to a lyre) and the darikwa (a type of hand drum). Modern Sokhainean music, particularly the genre known as Haino-Pop, blends traditional sounds with electronic and global influences, having gained a large following in major Safiloan cities.
The visual arts of Sokhainea are equally important, encompassing painting, textiles, and particularly Tatimeqa—the art of symbolic tattooing, which has deep spiritual significance for many Sokhaineans. The tattoos are believed to connect the wearer to both their ancestors and to Safiloa’s natural. In architecture, the Sokhaineans have developed distinctive styles, with earthen structures, intricate wood carvings, and high towers that align with celestial movements.
Sokhaineans tend to be open and welcoming to outsiders, especially those from the nearby island nations, though there is often suspicion towards Areshinan colonists and traders due to historical conflicts.
Language The Sokhainean language is a member of the Safiloan language family and uses a unique syllabary script that dates back over two millennia. The script, known as Tamira, has evolved from a more pictographic form used in ancient rituals. The modern version of the script was standardized in the 16th century after the unification of Sokhainea. While the majority of Sokhaineans are fluent in Sokhainean, bilingualism is common in northern regions where interaction with Safairi and Kalashiri speakers is frequent.
In the Sokhainean diaspora, particularly in urban centers, a hybrid language known as Sohari has emerged, mixing Sokhainean with Areshinan languages. This is especially prevalent among the younger generation of Ahumira.
Religion The Temple of Zhala, overlooking the Sea of Winds in Central Sokhainea
Sokhainean spirituality is polytheistic, centered on the worship of nature deities and ancestral spirits. The Sokhainean pantheon is led by the deity Zhala, the Creator of the Horizon, who is believed to have shaped the world and set the stars in motion. Sokhainean belief divides the cosmos into two realms: Nifkawa (the living world) and Kalhawa (the spiritual realm), with the two constantly influencing each other through cycles of birth, life, death, and rebirth.
One of the unique aspects of Sokhainean belief is the reverence for the Tahari (sacred horizons), places where it is believed the material and spiritual realms are closest. Ritual pilgrimages to these horizons are central to Sokhainean faith, with the largest and most sacred located on the island’s eastern coast, known as Mirak-Tezan.
Though polytheism remains the dominant belief system, a sizable minority in the diaspora has embraced Zahirism, a monotheistic faith from Kalashir, which blends some Sokhainean beliefs with its own tenets. However, in Sokhainea itself, adherence to Zahirism is rare and often frowned upon by more traditionalist Sokhaineans. The Sokhainean government officially recognizes Tahariism as the state religion, though religious practices are generally free from state intervention.
Sub-Groups Within Sokhainea, several ethnic sub-groups can be identified. The largest of these are the Aitana, who inhabit the central plains and have historically dominated Sokhainean politics and culture. To the south, the Shirahi people, known for their distinct dialect and seafaring tradition, have had a significant influence on Sokhainean maritime practices and trade. In the north, the Taqalai people are of mixed Safairi-Sokhainean descent and are recognized for their darker skin and pastoral lifestyle.
The diaspora includes both full-blooded Sokhaineans and Mirabara (literally "Water-Bloods"), mixed Sokhainean-Areshinan individuals, who often face social prejudice in both Sokhainea and their countries of residence. These Mirabara often navigate dual identities and are sometimes seen as representatives of a new, hybrid culture emerging between Sokhainea and its neighboring nations.