Kadian Tukalum (/ˈtu.ka.lum/)

The Kadian Tukalum (plural, Tukali), a distinctive garment worn by Imperial Kadians, men and women alike, was a rectangular cloth with rounded edges, long enough to be draped around the left shoulder and over the body. Tukali are traditionally considered a form of ceremonial outerwear, and were most often worn over a suridum (plural suridi), a traditional Kadian tunic, or a kalidē (plural kalidae), a traditional, simple Kadian dress. There were several forms and styles of the tukalum recognized by the Kadians, and each had different implications in regards to social class and rank. All tukuli would be made of wool, regardless of style.  

Tukali Styles

There were at least four recorded styles of tukali worn in the Kadian Empire. They were as follows:  

Tukali Domae (Singular Tukalum Domē)

Tukali Domae were the style of tukalum worn by married women in the Kadian Empire. They featured light embroidery around the edges of the fabric, typically of floral designs, and they were typically dyed in darker or less vibrant colors than their counterparts meant for unmarried women. Tukali Domae were traditionally the shortest available Tukali in the Kadian Empire.  

Tukali {Word for Unmarried Women} (Singular Tukalum {Word for Unmarried Woman})

Tukali {Unmarried Women} were the style of tukalum worn by unmarried women in the Kadian Empire. They featured heavy embroidery around the edges of the fabric, typically of floral or other natural designs, and they were typically dyed in vibrant colors. Tukali {Unmarried Women} were traditionally longer than Tukali Domae but shorter than Tukali Mūtī.  

Tukali Domī (Singular Tukalum Domus)

Tukali Domī were the style of tukalum worn by men in the Kadian Empire. They featured embroidery based on their house's symbology around the edges of the fabric and in the center of both ends, and they were typically dyed in muted colors associated with the house. Tukali Domī were traditionally a length between that of the tukalum domē and that of the tukalum mūtum.  

Tukali Mūtī (Singular Tukalum Mūtum)

Tukali Mūtī were the style of tukalum worn by both men and women in mourning in the Kadian Empire. They commonly featured no or little embroidery, which was done in only black or silver thread if done at all. The tukalum mūtum would be dyed black or made a bright white with chalk powder, as both white and black were colors of mourning in the Kadian Empire. Tukali Mūtī were the longest of all Tukali styles, and it was common for them to drag on the floor.