lohkeaa

Lohkeaa is a term used in the fictional Narath Archipelago to denote both a semi-precious mineral and a body of cultural practices centered on memory, land, and kinship. In mineral form, lohkeaa crystals are typically translucent with a pale blue-green hue and a pearly to vitreous luster. In social use, the term also denotes a principle of shared memory that binds families and communities to their geographic landscape.

Etymology: The word derives from the Narathan language, with lohk- meaning "together" and eaa meaning "memory," roughly translating to "shared memory" or "memory together."

Geology and occurrence: Lohkeaa forms in hydrothermal veins within basaltic terrains on several islands in the archipelago. Crystals are usually small to medium in size and show a light refractive sheen. The mineral is primarily an aluminosilicate with trace copper and manganese, giving the pale hue. It has a Mohs hardness near 6 and a distinct pleochroic effect under polarized light; it can fluoresce faintly under ultraviolet illumination.

Cultural and economic significance: Lohkeaa serves as a local currency in markets and as a material for jewelry and ceremonial objects. Carved talismans are believed to carry ancestral memory and reinforce social obligations. Extraction is artisanal and regulated by customary councils; inter-island trade is common, with export licenses required for large quantities.

History and references: The mineral and its cultural role were first documented by archaeologist Dr. Asha Rimal in 1962. The term and its meanings feature prominently in island oral histories and contemporary ethnographies within the Narath scholarly corpus.