Akulhai

Dhamabstom (Tooth Totem)

The teeth of powerful or hated foes is a popular way for Akulhai to show their battle prowess. This is associated with how badly you can hurt (damage) your enemy. The teeth are symbols of the offensive power of the Akulhai.

Vrasdhamab (Kill Tooth) - Akulhai war the upper teeth of their most powerful vanquished foe on their head. The teeth are usually lashed to a headband, with the points facing up. The headband is then tied around the outside of the helmet, or around their head if not wearing headgear.

Armaukdhamab (Enemy Tooth) - Akulhai wear the teeth of their most hated foe (often mountain dwarves) around their neck, with the points facing down.

Kaum (Hair) or Orkakaum (Power Hair)

Akulhai believe the hair of their friends and enemies can help them. This is called Kaumorka (Hair "Kaum", and Orka "Power"). Kaumorka is the word for the ceremony of trading hair, the physical hair braids, as well as the person that the hair came from. When used as the person who gave the hair, it is the equivalent of good or close friend. Kaum is considered a defensive magic.

Zemarkaum (Heart Hair) - Loved ones within a family give a lock of their hair to each other. This hair is woven into a braid and worn over the chest/heart area. The Akulhai believe this will protect them.

Orkakaum (Power Hair) - Comrades in arms and friends in battle will often exchange locks of hair which is braided into a band and tied around the bicep. This is called Orkakaum (Power Hair) and is believed to give strength to endure, or constitution.

Shokkaum (Mate Hair) - Hair taken from a mate (consensual sexual intercourse) is braided and worn over the groin or as a loin cloth. This hair is pulled from the mate during copulation. Although it is painful, it is done playfully and it is customary to try to keep the mate from getting the hair (again, in a playful manner). This is believed to increase virility/fertility. This practice applies to both male and females. The hair braids are considered attractive to the opposite sex.

Kurvkaum (Whore Hair) - Some Akulhai will wear the hair of victims they have raped or others they have had sexual contact with, but held no respect for (For instance, ex-girl/boyfriend). It is never braided, instead it is tied by leather strip (symbolic of a bound or captured). This is worn over the buttocks area and is meant to show disrespect.

Armaukkaum (Enemy Hair) - Hair taken from a vanquished foe is attached to the boot or ankle (dwarf beards are especially prized). Again, this is never braided, but bound by leather strips. Having the hair on the feet, to be walked on, is a very serious insult.Stepping on someone’s hair is a huge insult to the Akulhai. Enemies are often held down by placing a booted foot on their hair (or beard) before they are finished or executed. Curly hair is considered weak and feeble, as is light hair, although to a lesser extent. Often the hair is colored or marked with symbols.

Stealing Kaum or displaying Kaum that was not properly collected is akin to stolen valor and will likely cause an instant fight if discovered.Obviously the more Kaum (Hair) one has collected, the more respect his/her peers afford. Old, powerful Akulhai may have huge clumps of hair in these areas. The word Kaum is similar to today's "mojo", or "swag" and is often used to describe someone, as in "Him store many hair" ("Ta mabaj shum kaum").

Armaukmaushat (Enemy Skin) The skin of a foe might be used for the outside sole of a boot or shoe. This is a sign of disrespect, as the hair/skin is trod upon.

Stepping on someone’s hair is a huge insult{/p]

Stealing Kaum or displaying Kaum that was not properly collected is akin to stolen valor and will likely cause an instant fight if discovered.

“Ask an Akula, Who owns the north?, females say females; males say males. It matters naught to me, they are all too ugly to gaze upon, who cares enough determine the difference? Besides, you kill them all the same way...and one will kill you just as quick as the other!” - Captain Khannel of the Iron Gate.

On the surface, Akuluzg looks like a male dominated society. Females are not exempt from power positions, but it is physically harder the average Akulhai female to compete in the physical environment. Where females tend to be bit smaller, they tend to be a bit more intelligent, thus it evens out. Females most often come to power in the arcane magic areas (Generally in secret, as magic is a bit questionable to some Akulhai). Both males and females are involved in divine magic equally, and there is no stigma attached to divine magic. In Akuluzg raiding bands, war parties, and military endeavors, there is no distinction between male and female.Although Akulhai females are typically slightly smaller than males, females consider themselves equal or superior to males. They believe their suffering childbirth, and responsibility for raising a child makes them stronger and tougher than males. It is not uncommon for females to resist male assistance in child-rearing, as that is a sign of needing someone's help, thus a weakness.In practice, Akuluzg is a fairly balanced gender distribution. Childbearing is the only factor that that tips it to the male dominated side.Akulhai young are turned out on their own at a pretty early age, and the fathers often take over their tutelage at that point (if the father is still around). Children are not treated differently by gender, except that females are generally required to learn more skills, whereas males are more focused on combat.