4. Nahha Culture

The Nahha society prides itself on being the opposite of samam (pron: sah-mahm) - or heathen. A samam society is identified as being hierarchical, competitive, military and masculine. The Nahha society set its values in opposition being; egalitarian, independent, cooperative and feminine.

Petty crimes (e.g. inter-personal theft, bullying, vandalism) are usually handled within the Nahhum. As the commune tend to be living and working together most of the time there is usually a very strong bond between individuals and most errant behaviour is picked up quite quickly and met with disapproval. Furthermore 'Peyrit' (the nahhum) is also looking out for individuals at all times, particularly the young, weak and elderly. As (almost) everyone in the Nahha society has a katim which records activities and can communicate with peyrit, then it is quite difficult to get away with much. Vandalism, temper tantrums and bullying are very rare in older children.

All members of a nahhum are expected to pitch in and help. Thus those who are lazy and/or refuse to help may become ostracized within a group. Normally this attitude is considered to be a mental deficiency and in many regions such people can be ejected from their nahhum and sent to a specialist nahhum where they are treated for their 'mental condition'. In some regions it is customary to retain them in their own nahhum but this has been known to lead to emotional conflict.

In Nahha mainstream society attributes which we associate with the military and authority, such as rank, weapons and uniforms, are generally considered an anathema. The wearing of uniforms is seen to denote a willing loss of individuality and denial of personal responsibility. Criminals serving time in penal nahhumar are forced to wear uniforms as a form of punishment.

Under Nahha law any unauthorized person seen carrying a weapon (which implies passive coercion) may be immediately arrested by any citizen. Except in special circumstances, the carrying of a weapon is assumed to be a veiled threat and therefore a form of kidnapping by default. Armed law enforcement personnel and others who are licensed to carry weapons, must carry them concealed when in public and if discovered must declare their name, profession and intent. In the past it was not unusual for a weapon-wielding officer to be arrested and handed over to the local authorities. Nowadays authorized officers are on a public register and often peyrit is informed when one is close by. Guns are defined as 'tools for maiming and killing' and are treated as a tool of the samam - not j~sed. Historically weapons may only be used to defend one's own nahhumar or a neighbour's nahhumar. All holders of weapons must hold the correct qualifications and have the appropriate licenses before they are allowed to carry them.

Personal relationships are far more free-form than here on Earth. There is a strong tendency for heterosexual couples to form and hold long-lasting relationships but a large proportion of the population also form all other kinds of relationships. What may seem shocking here on Earth is not necessarily so on 'sit'. In some places, adolescent children may form partnerships with others of the same or similar age. Often these relationships may include petl who can be of any age. Usually, these relationships will formally break when the youngster leaves home on their j~ridmeno.