S'Kra Mur Attire

From Elanthipedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Traditional S'Kra Mur prefer loose, flowing garments and lots of jewelry. The S'Kra Mur created their own style of intricate, asymmetrical ornamentation, and applied it to fine jewelry and clothing, which enjoyed brief popularity with the other races.


Both males and females tend to clothe themselves from head to toe. Because S'Kra are not mammals (and therefore do not have breasts), it is not considered obscene for female S'Kra to be naked from the waist up. However, traditional S'Kra Mur would feel underdressed -- akin to wearing jeans and a T-shirt to a formal dinner.

According to An Introduction to S'Kra Anatomy, the S'Kra Mur actually experience a deeper and more varied level of color in the visible world. This may explain why the S'Kra pay great heed to the symbolic meaning of colors in their rituals. It may also explain their preference for intricate, asymmetrical designs.

Symbolism

Colors

brown homage to Hav'roth
gold homage to Peri'el
grey or black homage to Ushnish
red courage in battle
blue youth and boldness
white peace and purity of spirit
orange bad luck (at least for weddings)

Flowers

amaranth love
baby's breath fertility
chrysanthemum (white) truth
daffodil (golden) nobility
hibiscus (golden) beauty
jasmine (white) undying love
orchid loyalty
silverbow boldness
starflower (white) passion
wood violets homage to Hav'roth

Unique Garments

Torso

Gamantang: The gamantang is an informal or "house" coat traditionally worn by the S'Kra Mur. Loosely cut, it features long sleeves, usually folded back to mid-forearm in a wide cuff, and a slit running up the back to allow for freedom of the wearer's tail. In recent times, the gamantang has become a popular outer garment.

For ceremonial occasions, the gamantang is specially crafted with the wearer's representational colors/icons embroidered onto it. For these occasions, gamantangs are generally layered, with a dark color beneath and a lighter color(s) on top. The fabric can vary, so long as it's soft and usually somewhat diaphanous. The top layer is almost always silk. In cold weather, the bottom layer is quilted cotton or silk. (S'Kra Mur weddings often take place in the fall.)

Head

Uaro's'sugi: This is a cloth that can be wrapped about the head, face, and neck to protect these sensitive areas from windblown sand. The uaro's'sugi is diaphanous and often contains a small pocket for storing precious items.

Keffiyeh: Some sources describe this headdress as a S'Kra Mur garment, but it is only sold at Almalne's Festive Wear, which sells clothing for Sand Elves.

Tail

Tail Drape: This garment is cinched around the waist with a belt and drapes over the tail.

Pel'hhsmur: The "veil of pride" is an opaque, floor-length tail drape worn by S'Kra Mur brides. It usually doesn't drag behind the bride for longer than a couple of handspans, especially in warlike clans, whose members expect to be in constant martial readiness. The pel'hhsmur is cinched around the waist with a belt, usually one made out of some sort of metal -- gold discs, silver stars, etc. It can have embroidery around the edges, but it is usually very subtle. The main body of the pel'hhsmur should be all of one color, unmarked.

Unique Jewelry

Wrists and Hands

Pilonu: Like the rasha'hhsograth, the pilonu is a bracelet-ring combination that is worn on the wrist and hand. It consists of a bracelet and one or more rings of metal, which are connected to the bracelet by chains.

Rasha'hhsograth: The "flower of the hand" is a bracelet-ring combination that is worn on the wrist and hand. Its design ranges from the harsh and war-like to delicate and romantic. The main framework is a bracelet of either solid metal or of multi-joined links. From the bracelet, linked chains span the length of the hand to the base of each finger, where it joins the rings. The number of chains and rings varies depending on personal choice and comfort.

The rasha'hhsograth is often decorated with gemstones and/or intricate mosaics depicting a simple image. Occasionally, usually for the more war-like clans, pseudo talons will extend from the finger-rings to the fingertips.

Ama'hhrsk Bracelet: A token of love. The ones sold at Rataraduum's Fine Jewelry are engraved with the Eth'ral'khh phrase, "tanusami ttki."

Mehath Bracelet: Worn to remember Sraan Mehath and all S'Kra Mur who die honorably or with valor. (S'Kra heroes are said to join Sraan Mehath when they die.) The ones sold at Rataraduum's Fine Jewelry are engraved with the Eth'ral'khh phrase, "kiel'parakom hi'kho."

Ru'at Bracelet: Worn to remember one's ru'at. The ru'at is a S'Kra Mur's inner circle of family, friends, and allies. A S'Kra gives his ru'at complete trust and complete honesty and expects the same from them.

Venda: Means "ring" in S'Kra Mur. There is also a clan called Sraan Venda.

Face

Por'nidrel: Made of fine wire, the por'nidrel is shaped to fit into the spaces between the scales around a S'Kra Mur's left eye. The por'nidrel may be set with gems.

Sur'nidrel Made of fine wire, the sur'nidrel is shaped to fit into the spaces between the scales around a S'Kra Mur's right eye. The sur'nidrel may be set with gems.

Sharmiit'mhhg

This seems to be a style of bead embroidery that uses geometric shapes to create colorful designs. It has been used on tailbands and pendants.

Sources