karja

Karja refers to a fictional human polity featured in the Horizon video game series, most prominently in Horizon Zero Dawn and its sequel. In the game’s lore, the Karja inhabit southern lands and are organized under a centralized monarchy known as the Karja Sundom, with Meridian as a symbolic or actual capital city. The name is sometimes rendered as Carja in official materials, and in fan contexts the term Karja is also used to describe the same group.

Society and culture within the Karja Sundom are depicted as hierarchical and ritual in nature. The ruling dynasty and the priesthood of the Sun are central to political power, religion, and public life. The Karja are described as skilled in metalworking and engineering, and they build and maintain infrastructure, settlements, and fortifications in their territories. Their art, architecture, and technology reflect a preference for grand, ceremonial aesthetics as well as practical craft.

Historically, the Karja interact with neighboring tribes and cultures in fluctuating ways, including periods of cooperation, trade, and conflict. In-game narratives address political intrigue, succession disputes, and rival factions such as internal splinters within the broader Karja sphere. External tensions include encounters with other tribes and factions, each with its own customs, loyalties, and objectives.

Within the Horizon universe, the Karja Sundom remains a major political and cultural force in the southern regions, contributing to the series’ exploration of power, religion, technology, and intertribal diplomacy. As the lore expands, the portrayal of the Karja continues to evolve through new stories and media.