Damane

Damane is a term used in the Wheel of Time series to describe women who can channel the One Power and who have been enslaved within Seanchan society. In the Seanchan Empire, damane are kept under the control of a sul’dam, a handler who directs their use of the Power. Physical control is maintained through a device known as a leash that is worn around the neck, which allows the sul’dam to compel obedience and regulate the damane’s channeling.

Damane are typically recruited from among capable female channelers and are housed under the authority of their sul’dam, often within households, military units, or other institutions. Their status is legally and culturally codified, reflecting a hierarchical, caste-like structure in Seanchan society. While the system is designed to maximize discipline and efficiency, it is also a source of moral and political controversy both within the Seanchan realm and in its interactions with other cultures in the world of the series.

The practice serves multiple functions in Seanchan governance and warfare, functioning as a way to harness the dangerous power of channelers while preventing chaos. The damane-sul’dam dynamic is a recurring element in the narrative, highlighting themes of power, control, freedom, loyalty, and the clash between different ethical frameworks.

The word damane is drawn from the Seanchan language and denotes the status of being led or controlled. In broader discussion within the series, damane symbolize the tensions surrounding human rights, empire-building, and cultural difference in a fantasy setting.