Ahkma

Kálletta Siisavan, Ahkma ambassador to Louisia

The Ahkma are a nation that possesses a unique advantage in trade and nutrition in that they are the only group that farms algae on a large scale rather than merely plucking it where it grows abundantly. Their particular method is a closely guarded secret. The Ahkma are also known for their cultural propensity for syncretism. The philosophies and religious beliefs of immigrants and their descendants, and even temporary visitors are incorporated with the complex Ahkma thought system. This is pronounced to such a point that belief systems that would otherwise be extinct are preserved within the Ahkma system. Ancient and minority religious sects that would otherwise be forgotten or intentionally erased, and are as good as extinct in their home country, still thrive to some extent among the Ahkma.

## Naming Traditions

### Unisex names

As in the majority of cultures of Paan Atta, Ahkma personal names are not gender specific. Each name has a unique and complex place in the intricate Ahkma language's grammar. How a name is used in a sentence is affected by its tones, sounds, syllables, significance, and meaning, as well as the numerology of each letter. Somewhat translated name examples include Kálletta, Mianní, and Dìtaa.

### Family names

Ahkma family names are varied in length, inherited from not only the birther but the birther's birther and perhaps before, using their personal names as well as the family name. Examples are incredibly specific and identify a particular public or historical figure, yet include Siisavan, Guaristi, and Chidabva.

## Culture

### Art and architecture

The Ahkma art of sewing, embroidering, and mending seeks to beautify rather than hide the wear and tear of a well-loved piece of cloth. Aside from the most formal and seldom-worn garments, Ahkma clothes are peppered with decorations, often with a natural or floral motif. These decorations can seem random to foreigners, but they are the places where the fabric tore or was moth-chewed and then earned a badge of its love, a delicately embroidered little image.

Similarly, Ahkma homes are often full of little souvenirs and trinkets from everywhere the occupants have been. A little rock from the beach where they were married, a glass bead from an old necklace that broke, or a clay figurine from a visit to a neighboring country. Shelves are built into homes for this purpose, usually doubling as long, short, horizontal windows built back into the wall.

### Major language groups and dialects

The Ahkma nation spans a massive variety of dialects, based both on region and on foreign heritage. There is no standard dialect, but spelling and the script of writing are standardized in public and official writing.

Related to linguistic dialects, there are many different ways of writing numbers. Simple, somewhat global numerals can be used, a number can be written out verbally as it is spoken, and uniquely Ahkma numerals are surprisingly widespread.

### Shared customary codes and values

There is a general belief that all truths and all cultural stories are equal and simultaneous, as each person experiences a different thing at once, all of these experiences are completely and simultaneously true as another facet of the same Great Beast looking through a different pair of its many eyes. Thus, all religious ideas are completely true in a facet, and to be held equal at once. Every way Paan Atta is said to have been created, these all are true and united yet separate, like a braid of different colors of hair.

### Common Etiquette rules

It is impolite and seen as childish to say something like "that is not true". Instead, "that is not my experience", "I do not remember that", and "that is not my truth" are non-alienating alternatives that respect the other person's memory.

Opening a door and not closing it, letting both physical debris and ill winds enter is very insulting, especially in someone else's home. Other cultures do so instinctively, for ventilation, but historically the Ahkma are native to very sandy soil, and leaving doors open is a stupid thing to do from that area's perspective. Relatedly, one must remove their shoes and leave them just outside the door as a measure of politeness to an Ahkma household, even if sand is not an issue.

### Common Dress code

It is generally impolite to have your elbows pointed at someone who is Ahkma, and for more serious situations and in formal settings, these sharp extremities should be covered. The elbow is a strong and pointy part of the body, one which another person gains nothing from touching or resting upon. On hot days when the situation calls for polite dressing, a sort of long, very thin scarf is often draped around the elbows to cover them without over warming the rest of the arms.

## Ideals

### Beauty Ideals

Rather than having one generalized concept of beauty, the Ahkma value several visual archetypes. The most commonly mentioned are:

1. Seaweed holder (literal translation), is a person with thick, wavy hair and a smooth, curving body. Oval and round face shapes are typical.
2. Solid elm, is a usually tall person with a straight body and few curves, as well as elongated features, particularly the neck, and face. A somewhat darker complexion is typical.
3. Sesame seed, someone whose body is widest at the hips, and whose face is widest at the cheekbones. A paler complexion is typical. Short hair is common.

### Courtship Ideals

Ahkma courtship is expected to be visibly affectionate and relaxed. An appearance of comfort with one another and emotional closeness is ideal. A sort of rigidity, an overly serious appearance, visible disagreement, or visible setting of boundaries are heavily stigmatized. These things are generally acceptable in privacy, but partners are expected to 'hold it together' in front of any other party.

### Relationship Ideals

For the Ahkma, a relationship should start without the intention of a relationship, casually, getting along well as friends with no expectation of romantic or sexual connection. When other cultures may have exclusively romantic dating or go steady that starts as such, this is frowned on and seen as restrictive by Ahkma culture.