#raheni

Location:

The X tribe lives in the Fringes of Gyr Abania. Once a stationary group, X’rheni explained that they have been nomadic for years to avoid direct confrontation with Garlean forces as the latter expands its invasion of the territory. Many of their practices (e.g. minimising the number of personal effects each member has, and a deep concern over ensuring the longevity over said effects) are a result of the instability of this forced migration. Despite his sojourn to Gridania over two years ago, these practices appear to be ingrained in my friend; I often see him at night cleaning and mending his gear and weaponry (perhaps more meticulously than the average adventurer, though in this I am—unfortunately—no expert).   

X tribe’s nearest neighbours are the M tribe, yet these two rarely interact. I am given to understand that this is not from lack of interest on behalf of the M tribe, but rather that the X tribe has operated in a closed manner for many generations, since the Autumn War. It seems that beyond the occasional crossing of paths with the M tribe or confrontations with Garlean forces, X tribe does not engage with the wider populace of Gyr Abania, much less Eorzea.  

Tribal structure:

Somewhat similar to their neighbouring M tribe, X tribe is an outlier in its organisation of power. The nunh(2)—only one of which exists at a time, unlike in larger tribes—not only has a monopoly on fathering children, but also on political power. He is the head of the tribe and his word is absolute, which X’rheni bitterly recounted.

The power the X tribe nunh has does not, however, extend to other men in the tribe on the basis of maleness. Despite their small numbers in the tribe, the nunh and whomever he is grooming to take his place frequently single out and mistreat tia men and boys because their presence—according to X’rheni—represents a potential threat to the nunh and his successor(3).

Beyond the nunh, X’rheni said that it was the women of his tribe who held the most power, albeit in an informal capacity. Female elders, as well as adult women who had mothered children, oversaw the daily operation of the tribe. X’rheni’s mother, X’keza, was well regarded and acted as the collective voice of the women.

Tribal composition:

X tribe’s numbers have dwindled since the Seventh Umbral Calamity. Once 60+ members strong, many succumbed to injuries in the wake of the Calamity and others have since died as a result of Garlean invasion. When X’rheni left, his tribe numbered around 40 members. 

Due to these small numbers, a shift has occurred in the operation of the tribe: while larger tribes may have people occupy specific roles (e.g., healer, mender, hunter, childcare provider), all members of X tribe are now taught all the skills necessary for the preservation of the tribe, with older members teaching younger members, and members stepping into roles based on need on a given day. (X’rheni spoke of doing the following, all in one day: hunting, looking after his younger sisters(4), healing minor wounds, woodworking, and leatherworking.) It appears as though this collectivist culture sits alongside the aforementioned highly autocratic power structure, though X’rheni did not remark on the oddity of this. 

Intra-tribal relationships:

While there is a strong collectivist culture in X tribe, X’rheni noted that children stay with and are primarily looked after by their biological mothers, though other tribe members help as needed. Half-siblings are not necessarily treated as family unless the mothers are close with one another. 

What I found perhaps most fascinating was what X’rheni shared with me about X tribe’s approach to romance and sex. Romantic and most sexual relationships are expressly forbidden and have been since the Garlean invasion of Ala Mhigo approximately 22 years ago. Though I would speculate that such relationships were banned in order to keep the population manageable for a group forced to migrate and operating in scarcity conditions, X’rheni cited an incident in which a tia and a woman had an illegitimate child together as rationale. The banning of sexual contact extends to even that between members of the same sex as well as teenagers, and applies to everyone save for the nunh and the women he chooses to bear his children. Penalties for engaging in romantic or sexual relationships outside of these bounds include disfigurement(5) or exile.

I shall continue to add to these notes as and when X’rheni shares further information with me. Although not my area of expertise, I cannot help but find myself compelled to learn more about these practices(6), different as they are from what I remember of my own tribe in Corvos, not to mention other Eorzean tribes. 

Notes:

Should these notes become public, I feel it necessary to clarify that we are companions in the adventuring sense. X’rheni is my sword arm in the Crystal Tower, and is mentoring me in archery. 

I should also clarify that X’rheni is not a nunh of the X tribe as I describe: he never fathered children nor occupied a role of political power. (In fact, he responded rather hostilely when I asked upon meeting how his children were, though I meant no offence.) Rather, he adopted the title upon leaving the tribe allegedly to denote his break from it. I believe that ‘nunh’ represents a certain ideal he wished (mayhap wishes?) to embody.

He had a difficult time looking at me during that particular conversation. There may be something more to it than what he divulged.

He lights up when he mentions his sisters, several of whom are significantly younger than he, and I find myself captivated by his eyes. Never before have I considered the beauty in heterochromia—given the teasing I endured for mine own—yet it is increasingly difficult to look away from his purple and gold eyes. (4a: I must remember to keep this journal hidden well away in my tent at Saint Coinach’s Find; I do not yet know how X’rheni would react should he catch wind of such sentiments on my part.)

The long scar across X’rheni’s forehead and cheek is the result of one such penalty, though I shall not go into detail about the event that preceded this.