A werak is the primary social and political structure of the Banuk tribe. Rather than a centralized government, the Banuk live in small groups called weraks and rely on tribal history and lore for guidance.
Structure
Weraks can vary vastly in terms of structure and culture, but most generally adhere to Banuk cultural norms and rules. Despite the familial nature of the werak, the Banuk value of self-reliance is still strongly practiced by individuals.
Banuk are not born into a specific werak, but are rather accepted based on completing tasks demanded by the werak.[2]
Government
While the power structure varies from werak to werak, they are traditionally led by a chieftain and a shaman.[2]
Chieftain
The chieftain has the greatest authority in the werak. They are in charge of leading hunts and determining admittance into the werak, among other tasks.
To become a chieftain, one must throw down their spear in front of the current chieftain, challenging them to a test of skill. The chieftain had the right to refuse unless the contender is backed by a significant portion of the werak. If the challenger completes the trial first, they become the new chieftain.[3] Chieftains are also allowed to abdicate their position back to the previous chieftain for any reason.[4]
Non-Banuk are permitted to become a chieftain, with Aloy being the only known non-Banuk to become one.[3]
Shaman
- "A shaman should always have the ear of their chieftain."
- ―Aratak
Shamans serve as the werak's mystical leaders. Their duties involve tracking machine herds, divination, providing advice to their chieftain, preserving the Banuk culture, and any other spiritual rituals. Sometimes, a shaman may take an apprentice under their wing.[5] Shamans and their apprentices are the only ones in the werak who are allowed to harvest parts from machines, due to the Banuk's belief in the divine nature of machines.[6]
The most notable shamans are granted entry into an elite group called the Conclave.[7]
Some weraks have multiple shamans, with Aratak's werak having members besides Ourea/Naltuk that are also shamans.[1][2]
Known Weraks
![Nukoni's Arrows/ Scars of the North/ Shattered Hearts[8]](/horizon/wiki/File:The_Hunters_Three.png "The Hunters Three.png (2.29 MB)")
Other Known Weraks
- Kikuk's Killers
- Onnekut's werak (no known name)
- Owl's Watch
- Signak's werak (no known name)
Former Weraks
- Thunder's Daughters (disbanded)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Into the Frozen Wilds
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 As mentioned by Burgrend during Into the Frozen Wilds.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 For the Werak
- ↑ The Forge of Winter
- ↑ The Shaman's Path
- ↑ The Banuk
- ↑ As mentioned by Ourea during Firebreak.
- ↑ Name dependent on the flashpoint in The Hunters Three
| Banuk | ||
|---|---|---|
| Aratak's Werak | Aratak (chieftain) - Naltuk (shaman) - Ourea (shaman) - Ruatuk - Sekuli - Signutai | |
| Kikuk's Killers | Kikuk - Nulat | |
| Kopilai's Werak | Kopilai (chieftain) - Aujak (shaman) - Inatut | |
| Onnekut's Werak | Onnekut (chieftain) - Nukoni | |
| Scars of the North/ Shattered Hearts/ Nukoni's Arrows |
Tatai - Tulemak - Urkai | |
| Signak's Werak | Signak (chieftain) - Ili - Tektuk | |
| White Teeth Werak | White Teeth Chieftain - White Teeth Shaman - Mailen | |
| Exiles | Arnak - Brin | |
| Disputed | Sylens | |
| Other members | Aluki - Anutai - Ardik - Banukai - Enjuk - Ikrie - Kamut - Kimik - Kutani - Laulai - Lauvuk - Naunuk - Opili - Opitak - Rukul - Siluk - Tikuk - Ukan - Yariki | |