| Translated Tribal Name | The Descendents |
| Territorial Island | Tathai |
| Chieftain | Shaya |
| Estimated Population | 40,000 |
| Languages | Temegaru |
| Tribal Colors | Blue and green |
| Notable Resources | None |
| Notable Crafts | None |
The Bira have a complex system of honor and etiquette and a culture that is greatly concerned with ritual. For instance, in battle Bira warriors will fight until “first blood” is drawn from the enemy and then will retreat to give their enemy a chance to withdraw. First time visitors to their island may find their initial contact with the Bira odd in this regard. If the enemy does not honorably retreat, then battle is rejoined and the Bira will fight without mercy and give no quarter.
The Bira are led by a “warrior queen”. Promotion and ascension in this tribe is by combat. The ruler of this tribe is always female. Both genders work and fight, but only women lead. The position of queen changes frequently as challengers come and best the current reigning queen.
The Bira life in mud and stick circular huts with thatched domed roofs. These are clustered in multiple villages of about a thousand individuals each. Each village is ruled by a village matron and each matron in turn answers to the queen. Like the queen, a matron rules until she is defeated in combat. The Bira hunt and gather and fish. They travel the waters between islands in long boats similar to the other tribes.
The Bira practice ancestor worship. The skulls of those who have passed on kept and polished and stacked in the village’s central shrine. The matron acts as the keeper of the skulls and the speaker for the dead. It is their belief that the dead watch them and judge them. It is up to each tribe member to practice the ways of the Bira and maintain the villages honor.
The Bira have many rules of etiquette. One must never turn one’s back on the queen. One uses the right hand for food and the left hand for unclean activities. One must never hand something to another with the left hand. One does not deny a gift offered. One does not hoard and must share with the community. One must always fight honorably. One must yield to a stronger opponent, in all matters. It is easy for foreigners to transgress the etiquette of the Bira and offend them.
This website was last updated April 30, 2025. Copyright 1990-2025 David M. Roomes.