Introducing the Yomprryuhu, or "Yomyu"
"The ones with the Moss Eaters", though the often tongue-in-cheek shortened Yomyu means "Those Who Eat". They mean it in a foodie way! They have a very interesting culinary culture.
A sub-arctic clan living in perpetual migration with their animal companions, the Yomprrwll (moss-eaters), across a wild tundra defined by endless fields of mosses and lichens, frozen mountains, deep cutting canyon valleys with surprising micro-climates and hot spring oasis.
I recently shared a picture of Taln, in her mid autumn dress, hair still unbraided for the winter. She has dark yellow eyes, but the clan's eyes range through orange and reddish brown, and her hue is less common.
They have pale grey-blue skin, with an unusual sanhi pattern that never overlaps the stripes, making those stand out in the dark. Instead of being defined by their sanhi pattern, they are defined by the "blackout" shaped by their stripes.
The Moss-eaters are not a people like the Tulkun, but more intelligent and independent than "rides" like the ikran or pali. They feed primarily on mosses, and have adapted over generations to migrate along with Yomyu clans, relying on them for protection, and being used for fiber, food and shelter in exchange.
They grow a white/grey "pseudo fur", shedding it in the summer months when the clans go South. They can grow quite large and are ridden by elders and children, often in cozy "howdah" with the family's woven mats and cushions. They also carry the clan's belonging on long treks across the tundra, moving with the seasons and the depleting moss fields.
Their kuru has a single clawed digit used to interact with the environment, and a hairy sheath. Their horns are hollow and light, used only to brush away snow, and not fight. The males grow colourful markings on the inside, flashing them often while courting, but the main use of the horns is for snow shoveling.
The Yomyu use long strips of leather covered in this pseudo fur to plait their hair, like furry extentions that create thick and warm blankets down their backs.
They often wrap it around their neck, along with the covered kuru. These braids are done before the onset of winter and stay in the entire time, with upkeep and add-ons where and when weather permits.
Colours depend on status: hunters weave their white winter hair with bleached white fur to totally blend into the snow, while children and elders are brightly dyed, to make them easier to spot in a storm.
Due to their limited tundra and mountainous range, they don't have a lot of readily available dyes. Their main palette is ochre and deep blue, from earth and lichens. This leads to a very red to blue through purple palette. They trade @knarme-art's sea people to the North-East for shells and dyes from the sea.
During the great southern gatherings of summer, they also trade with the Ta'kxener tribes, who live in boreal forests and around lakes.
Any fancier colours and items come with trade with the Wind Traders. They rarely venture far North, not being adapted to the climate, so if you see a Yomyu with a gright green belt made of cured rainforest fibers, you know they are well off and want everyone to know.
I'll explore soon summer fashion (the only time where a lot of colours and plant fibers are available) and how trade with Knarme's people affect them.
The Yomyu primarily work with bone, ivory, leather, pseudo fur, and whole skins. They are one of the only Na'vi people to use footwear consistantly!
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