Sihtrakkud

Sihtrakkud are a traditionally nomadic confederation of clans in the highland and riverine regions of Valennar. They traverse broad seasonal routes between the Sefar Valley and the eastern uplands. They are known for their caravans, turquoise-dyed textiles, and a ritual code governing marriage and property.

Language and social structure: They speak Sihtrakk, a language in the Taric family closely related to neighboring mountain dialects. Social life centers on kin-based clans; leadership is distributed between a Council of Elders and a rotating mawul (chieftain) who presides at seasonal gatherings called the Convergence.

Economy and crafts: Their economy combines pastoralism, trade, and craft production. Key trades include leather goods, woodcarving, metalwork, and salt, often exchanged at regional markets. They maintain watercraft for river travel and mountain footpaths for overland routes.

History and relations: The Sihtrakkud are first mentioned in coastal chronicles from the mid-4th century in the Chronicles of Valennar, describing raiding and alliance networks. They have historically resisted external domination while entering into trade ties with neighboring states. Cultural exchange is reflected in shared motifs in textile design and bronzework.

Contemporary status: Today most Sihtrakkud live in settlements along the Lirn Basin and in hillside villages, with a diaspora in port towns. Preservation of oral history and crafts continues, though affected by modernization and land pressure. Anthropologists study ritual practice, migration patterns, and inter-clan relations as part of regional ethnography.