Hilichurls/Culture

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Daily Life

Architecture

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Hilichurls have been observed building structures for daily use, storage, and guard duties. Some structures are built using "long-lost techniques."

Structures are primarily made of wood and stone, with metal and cloth as needed or desired, and may feature decorative designs drawn or etched on cloth or stone. A long, pole-like white material that tapers to a point at one end is often used. Though its composition is unknown, it appears flexible enough for shaping yet rigid enough to support completed structures. This material is always covered with decorative designs.

Hilichurlian structures largely appear simple and crude but may be remarkably sturdy. They may even be specially treated, although how and by whom are both unknown.

Hilichurlian furnishings include Hilichurl Style Buildings as well as:

• Hilichurl Spiral Watchtower
• Hilichurl Straw Hut
• Hilichurl Archery Target
• Hilichurl Horned Pot
• Wooden Hilichurl Fence
• Hilichurl Totem Fence
• Hilichurl Outpost Hut
• Hilichurl Chieftain Hall

Activities

Hilichurls have been observed patrolling, standing guard, practicing combat, dancing, staring into the distance at the edge of cliffs, staring at items of interest such as Flaming Flowers, relaxing, napping, mining and watching other hilichurls. They may do so alone, in pairs, or in groups.

Dancing

Hilichurls may dance when they are happy. They may also dance around items of interest, such as the broken sundial near the Thousand Winds Temple, and foods such as bird eggs and lavender melons. Hilichurls also watch fellow hilichurls who dance. Hilichurls can also be observed dancing as conducted by an abyss mage.

Food

Hilichurls eat a large midday meal and likely also eat another meal before sleeping.

Hilichurls enjoy meat so much that the phrase (hil: mosi mita) is also an expression of happiness in Hilichurlian, and have been observed keeping Forest Boars in fenced-off areas, suggesting that they may practice raising livestock. They do not enjoy eating vegetables, fruits, and other plants, to the point that the phrase (hil: mosi gusha) is also an expression of sadness in Hilichurlian. While hillichurls have not been observed practicing agriculture, they value seeds.

Hilichurls have been observed boiling water using Flaming Flowers.

Religion and Spirituality

In Teyvat, it is a commonly held belief that hilichurls' spirituality disappeared along with their history and intellect. Despite this, hilichurls participate in many spiritual and religious acts.

Shamans — Samachurls — are the religious and spiritual guides of their tribe, leading them in the worship of Elemental Energy. In Mondstadt, some tribes venerate Anemo, but hold no reverence for Barbatos, the Anemo archon. It is suggested that Shamans might only preach the word of their elemental affinity. But regardless of the elemental affiliation of their Shaman, each hilichurl is free to worship an element of their choosing; Within a single tribe, hilichurls with differing elemental beliefs live alongside each other. A hilichurl's element of worship is often reflected by the designs on their masks or the color of their body paint. Shamans also dye their hair and skin to match their element of worship. Notably, the Eclipse Tribe in Mondstadt's Dadaupa Gorge do not worship any form of elemental energy, but instead occult power. This is represented by a symbol reminiscent of an eclipsed sun that can be seen throughout their encampment. The Shamans of the Eclipse Tribe are much stronger than those of other tribes for reasons unknown.

Ceremonies and Practices

Song and dance are the hilichurls most common modes of worship. Hilichurls throughout Teyvat are observed dancing before chanting Samachurls, in front of ancient structures like the sundial near the Thousand Winds Temple, and around totems. In tribal life, the Shaman leads ritual dancing and the singing of hymns praising the elements. During his travels studying hilichurls, Jacob Musk transcribed at least one of these religious odes. Dance, however, is not strictly reserved for religious acts. Based on their positive reactions during Ella Musk's commissions, hilichurls also dance when they are satisfied or happy.

When a hunt provides more meat than the tribe needs, excess will be placed on an altar by the Shaman as an offering to the elements. Despite having abundant treasures like Mora, precious stones, and other valuables, none are ever placed on the altar alongside or instead of meat. As the Hilichurlian word for meat — mita — is synonymous with the terms "delicious foods" and "liked items," it might be assumed that to a hilichurl, meat is a most precious gift.

Hilichurls also keep items specifically for ceremonial use. Though it is unclear if these items are for religious ceremonies specifically.

Social Relations

Hilichurlian social structure is mostly understood through Jacob Musk's books, Hilichurl Cultural Customs and Hilichurl Ballad Selection.

Most hilichurls live in tribes, such as the Meaty Tribe, Sleepy Tribe, and Eclipse Tribe in Dadaupa Gorge.

Samachurls, who are the oldest, and Lawachurls (literally Chief-churl in hilichurlian), who are the strongest, have the highest social status. Lawachurls prefer to be alone, although they may be followed by admirers. Samachurls lead tribes and may be ousted by Mitachurls (literally good/meaty-churls), who are stronger and more aggressive. Mitachurls may also cause infighting.

Hilichurl Rogues are not affiliated with any tribe and wander for reasons unknown, though some speculate that they are seeking a bygone splendor that once belonged to their people. They may occasionally assist a hilichurl group or tribe for a short time before continuing on their journey.

Hilichurls communicate with other tribes, and also have long-distance communication.

The vast majority of hilichurls are wary of humans and attack on sight, but some are willing to talk.

Designs, Motifs, and Symbols

Every hilichurl wears a mask, as they fear potentially seeing their own reflections. Some masks have an insignia with a brown diamond, while others show their corresponding element.

Technology

Hilichurls likely rely on the technology given to them (e.g., only given orders to handle machinery) in addition to things in their environment (see Electro Hilichurl Grenadier) and do not appear to have had notable technological innovation. They hail from the time of Khaenri'ah, but still use primitive weapons.

Slimes

Hilichurls use Slimes for a myriad of purposes including weaponry and quality of life purposes. Cryo Slimes are utilized to keep food fresh, and hilichurls capture Anemo Slimes for use in slime balloons — vehicles that transport food and other supplies.

Frostburst (Cryo), Pyro, Dendro, Electro and Hydro Exploding Barrels are crafted with Slimes, their eyes can be seen through a hole in the side of the barrel. Notably, Geo exploding barrels do not appear to have a slime inside. It is unknown if these hilichurls are capable of crafting Geo exploding barrels. In particular, Pyro and Electro barrels can be found in hilichurl settlements, but Pyro is the only variant found across all of Teyvat. Though exploding barrels can often be found littered throughout hilichurl encampments, it is unknown how they are used. Despite this, hilichurls do use slimes offensively but in other ways.

Anemo Hilichurl Rogues summon then latch onto Anemo slimes in battle, using them to hover in the air. Hydro Hilichurl Rogues use Hydro Slimes to launch mist bubbles at their foes. Additionally, mitachurls have found many uses for slimes. Dendro Slimes are used to fortify shields. Crackling Axe Mitachurls infuse their axes with Electro using Electro Slimes. And Blazing Axe Mitachurls use Pyro Slimes to the same effect. Pyro, Cryo, and Electro grenadiers dig Slimes from the ground to hurl at their enemies.

It is hypothesized that hilichurls’ extensive knowledge on the uses of Slimes stems from necessity — a way of adapting to a difficult life.

Weapons

Hilichurls utilize a wide range of weapons including: clubs, axes, staves, scythes, projectiles, crossbows, and shields of stone, ice, or wood. Some hilichurls are able to channel elemental energy.

The use of axes suggests that hilichurls possess basic smithing prowess, as the Mitachurls' axes are far too large for any other intelligent species to wield. Crossbows are suspected to be provided by the Abyss Order.

Elemental Energy

Samachurls are the foremost users of elemental energy among hilichurls, reaching the peak of their abilities in their "twilight years." It isn't fully clear how they learned to manipulate the elements, but their lived experiences play an important role in addition to “dark, forgotten memories.”

Thunderhelm Lawachurls and Stonehide Lawachurls are affected by Electro and Geo respectively, but it is unclear if they are commanding the energy themselves or if there are other factors at play. The bodies of Stonehide Lawachurls are shaped by Geo, its energy becoming their “flesh, blood, and skin.” Meanwhile, Electro energy “seeps through the cracks” of the bodies of Thunderhelm Lawachurls, manifesting as Electro Crystal growths that imbue them with Electro.

While not controlling an element themselves, other hilichurls have found ways to imbue their attacks with the elements. Electro hilichurl shooters use arrows carved from Electro Crystals. Hilichurl Rogues, Grenadiers, and Mitachurls use Slimes in different ways to infuse their attacks with elemental energy.

Language

Hilichurlian

Main article: Hilichurlian

Hilichurlian is the language spoken by Hilichurls.

Hilichurlian isn't well understood in Teyvat as few people are interested in hilichurls; According to Ella Musk, Hilichurlian Linguistics is an underdeveloped academic field. Due to the risk of humans interacting with hilichurls, its study is limited by the researcher's ability to complete field work. Due to this, the study of Hilichurlian Linguistics is predominantly driven by Ella Musk's ongoing research and that of her ancestor — most likely her grandfather — Jacob Musk. Jacob Musk was described as the "Poet Laureate" of Hilichurlian for his book, Hilichurl Ballad Selection, an accolade he was not fond of. Ella Musk introduces her self as a professor of Hilichurlian Linguistics specializing in "applied grammar for vernacular Hilichurlian."

Materials on the language of the hilichurls are scarce and most are written by the same small group of scholars — Jacob Musk and Ella Musk. Their attempts to understand Hilichulian language and customs have had mixed results. Ella Musk admits that without more field work, she is uncertain of the meaning behind several words. During Ella Musk's commissions, the Traveler attempts to speak Hilichurlian with varying degrees of success depending on the player's choices. If the player selects the correct words, the hilichurls respond with dancing. If an incorrect word is selected, they grow aggressive leading immediately to a fight. Before Mika joined the Knights of Favonius as a cartographer, he accompanied Ella Musk on one of her "language exchange" trips to gain expedition practice. While conversing with a hilichurl, she made a mistake which ended in an attack.

Kaeya and Venti have been observed to hold some level of proficiency in Hilichurlian, but it is unknown how or when they studied the language. Venti claims to have learned it to help with his songwriting, but states he hasn't actually written any ballads in Hilichurlian. The Traveler also exercises their Hilichurlian during Lionfang's Legacy in Venti's Story Quest, Carmen Dei Chapter: Act I - Should You Be Trapped in a Windless Land.

Hilichurls across Teyvat have been observed singing.

Abyss mages can speak Hilichurlian.

Non-Hilichurlian

There are no known cases of hilichurls who don't speak Hilichurlian and two examples of hilichurls communicating in other languages. Caterpillar is able to talk with the Traveler, Lanoire, along with everyone else in the Fortress of Meropide. However, Caterpillar is a special case as he was created by Jakob Ingold using Carter Scherbius' remains after the creation of Narzissenkreuz. The remains were grafted onto "those who have lost their intellect," presumably referring to Caterpillar's true form, an Anemo Hilichurl Rogue. It is unknown if any of the hilichurl's consciousness survives in Caterpillar or if Caterpillar's consciousness is formed only by Carter or something else entirely. Caterpillar does not remember Carter.

Caribert is also capable of speaking another language and does so with the Traveler's Sibling and Chlothar Alberich, but similarly this is a unique case. Caribert regains his ability to communicate with humans after consuming forbidden medicine blessed by the Sinner. Upon which he regained his former consciousness.

Black Serpent Knights attempt to communicate with hilichurls using Khaenri'ahn, instructing them to run when they suspect danger drawing near. It is unclear if the hilichurls present are able to understand them.

Politics

Hilichurls are mostly hostile towards humans for reasons unknown.

Some Hilichurl groups are affiliated with the Abyss Order, potentially partly due to both groups hailing from the fallen nation of Khaenri'ah. Abyss Mages are capable of understanding and speaking Hilichurlian, and are able to convince the groups to assist them.

Some hilichurls, however, are hostile to the Abyss Order: the Cautious Hilichurl in Starfell Valley requested help defeating enemies consisting of Abyss Mages and Hilichurl Shooters.