Rahmat (RAH-muht)

Of all the many unique and specialized items created by the Suranet people to enhance and support their nomadic lifestyle, the most important is easily the rahmat.   The rahmat measures the position and angles of key stars as well as the sun, allowing the clan navigator, or Amahud, to discern their position and direction in the vast Velunai Desert. Without a rahmat to fix the location, in a region where landmarks often change or disappear, the wandering tribes would most likely die of thirst or exposure, unable to locate the next well or oasis.   A series of flat engraved brass disks mounted at a center point on a flat base of wood, the rahmat is a method of calculating the heavens at any given time of day or year, and from there, one's position. Doing this requires much knowledge of the sky and terrain, as well as precise sighting holes, and the Harnet, a foldable prong of bone or horn that is used to cast shadows.   Holding the rahmat flat and even, the Amahud first turns the outermost circle, representing the seasons of the year, so that the correct day is lined up, and turns to the correct position, for example, to the north at nightime. Then they rotate the inner disk, engraved with a map of the brightest stars, until it aligns with the sky. Sightings are taken of certain stars to confirm an accurate reading, where the light of specific stars shines through holes or notches in the calendar plate on to a surface below, often the other hand of the Amahud.   In daylight, a different method is used. The thin, triangular harnet is unfolded to stand straight up. The rahmat is aligned east to west, and a reading is taken using the sun's shadow. The device also uses several clever markers and sight holes to aid in combatting distortion from heat haze and mirage.   Light and compact, the device is carried in a protective case at the belt. It also has an ingenious cover of a brass screen made by piercing the metal with many close holes. Both case and folding screen work to keep sand from damaging the precise engravings.