Karvers

Karvers are a culturally distinct community traditionally concentrated in the forested highlands of the Verdara region. They are renowned for woodcarving, along with stone relief work and inlaid bone. The name Karver is derived from their language’s kar meaning "to carve."

Geography and demographics: Most Karvers live in river valleys and highland forests, with a total population estimated at 60,000 to 75,000. A diaspora exists in market towns and coastal ports.

Language and society: The Karveran language, part of a small language family, is spoken alongside the national language. Social organization centers on craft guilds; apprenticeship runs from early adolescence and culminates in member status through a guild ceremony.

Culture and craft: Wood carving styles vary by village but share motifs such as botanical forms and ancestral figures. Stone reliefs decorate civic buildings; carving often accompanies religious ceremonies and commemorations.

Economy and modern period: Today, craft production remains core to Karver livelihoods, supplemented by tourism and commissions from state institutions. Carvings are traded locally and exported through regional markets; some artisans work in family workshops.

History: Early carvings date to the medieval period, with notable workshops documented from the 12th century. The modern Karver revival began in the 19th century as broader appreciation for folk arts grew, continuing into the present with market-driven and preservation initiatives.