Headpieces
Materials & components
Headpieces can be made from almost anything and each one is different. Animal skulls, bones, horns, feathers, arctic willow, worked metal and gemstones can all be used in the crafting process. The components must all be collected, prepared and put together by the wearers themselves, thus the headpiece often reflects the skills and personality of the wearer. The items used can have been collected by the wearer at any point in their lives, but they must all have been earned and not simply traded for with trinkets. A skull from a slain beast, feathers collected from mountain eyeries , gems given as reward for a great service performed or metal worked by their own hand are all examples of a component having been earned.Manufacturing process
A new Parjest or Johata is given a month, before officially taking up their role, in order to collect/select the components, prepare them and create their headpiece. Since these headpieces define the person who wears them, the selecting of the components usually takes the longest time. During this time they are exempt from performing their other duties and their role is carried out by the old Parjest or Johata, if still alive, or the other leader simply performs both duties for the duration.
Significance
Once the headpieces have been completed there is a ceremony in which the new leader is presented officially to their clan. During this ceremony they must explain the significance of each of the components they selected. This is seen as them demonstrating to their clan why they are worthy by showing them evidence of their skills, talents and accomplishments. The headpieces also make the Johata and Parjest instantly identifiable to every member of the clan. They are usually quite large and thus they can be picked out from a distance or amongst a crowd. Since the leaders are there to serve and guide their clan it is important that they can be found at any time, any member of a clan can approach their leader at any time with a request. The size also make them reasonably heavy which is seen by the clan as a willingness to bear the burden of leadership, and a reminder to the leader of the weight and responsibility of leadership.
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