kehaehted

Kehaehted is a term used in the fictional ethnography of the Valaran Archipelago to denote a system of body adornment that functions as social signal and personal identity marker. In the language of the Valar people, kehaehted literally translates to "body ornaments." The practice encompasses jewelry, cosmetics, scarification, and ritual tattoos, worn during public ceremonies and rites of passage.

Historically, kehaehted developed within patrilineal and matrilineal lineages, with different guilds controlling design motifs and techniques. Adornment items are made from shell, bone, metal, and natural pigments, crafted by specialized artisans known as ehtidik. Symbolism varies by clan: motifs indicate clan affiliation, social status, achievements, or marital state. In initiation rites, individuals receive new motifs as they pass from youth to adulthood.

Contemporary practice: in rural areas, kehaehted remain integral to weddings, harvest festivals, and funerary rituals, though urban fashion has influenced contemporary adaptations. Some communities maintain strict ritual restrictions on who may create or model certain motifs.

See also: body modification, cultural jewelry, ritual adornment.