High Matriarchs Teersa, Jezza, and Lansra.
- "Our only concern is the welfare of the tribe."
- ―Teersa
The High Matriarchs are the leaders of the Nora tribe. Their main role is to lead the tribe and make decisions in times of crisis, oversee certain ceremonies and rituals, and judge and sentence tribe members if they commit crimes.
Role in the Nora[]
The High Matriarchs act as the leaders of the Nora tribe, overseeing major rituals such as the Naming ceremonies and the Proving. Their other responsibilities are to teach, offer counsel, and give blessings to the tribe members. When necessary, they are also called upon to judge, and are responsible for sentencing a tribe member to be an outcast for a certain period of time. In times of great need, the High Matriarchs may anoint a Seeker, a worthy Brave sent forth to accomplish a great purpose. Although the High Matriarchs typically make decisions together, occasionally one may act without the agreement of the others, as when Teersa oversaw Aloy's Naming ceremony in spite of Lansra's obvious disapproval.
The Matriarchs have a lesser leadership role, they seem to stay within the All mother mountain, where they vote on changes that should be made to the tribe, interpret the will of the All Mother, or govern villages, they seem to either fullfil the role of priests, senators, or governers, though they also manage lesser affairs, and apprentice mothers, who serve as teachers.
In a conversation with Aloy, Teersa explains that there are both Matriarchs and High Matriarchs. Matriarchs are women with two generations of living progeny (grandmothers with both living children and grandchildren). High Matriarchs are women with three or more generations (great-grandmothers with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren). The extent of the Matriarchs role is unknown, but more limited than the High Matriarchs, who appear to hold the major leadership role of the tribes.
It is uncertain if, when they become a grandmother or great-grandmother, a woman automatically becomes a Matriarch or High Matriarch or if they must request it. In a conversation with Aloy, the healer Enara confirms that losing a generation of progeny means being demoted, either to Matriarch or an Elder, confirming that it is not a permanent appointment.
History[]
The year that Aloy was accepted back into the tribe and competed in the Proving, the Nora tribe had three High Matriarchs and about thirty lesser Matriarchs. Teersa, Lansra, and Jezza were the three High Matriarchs in charge at the time, and all had been so at least since Aloy was born.
High Matriarchs[]
Trivia[]
- Teersa explains that, because they have many generations to their name, Matriarchs and High Matriarchs speak for those generations, lending weight to their opinions. Essentially, the more living descendants a woman has, the more authority she has in leading the tribe.
- The role of the Matriarchs is in keeping with the importance of mothers in the Nora culture.
- It is implied that one High Matriarch may have more authority over the others, as Lansra's attire and headdress is more elaborate than the others'. However, it could also mean that Lansra may have more descendants than the other Matriarchs and thus has the honor of a more elaborate headdress.
- A Matriarch (always with a less elaborate headdress and a lot of knots on her clothes) appears to help direct the hymn in front of All-Mother Mountain's entrance after Aloy is made a Seeker. Her appearance is randomly generated and is always different.
- Another Matriarch (or High Matriarch) can also be seen on a stage during the celebration before The Proving, telling the tale of the All Mother to children and adults.
| Nora Tribe | |
|---|---|
| High Matriarchs | Jezza - Teersa - Lansra |
| Other Tribe Members | Aloy - Alana - Arana - Bast - Den - Dral - Dran - Enara - Ferl - Fia - Grist - Jarg - Jarm - Jun - Karst - Lut - Marea - Muns - Nakoa - Olara - Orn - Resh - Solai - Sona - Taim - Teb - Thok - Vala - Varl - Yan |
| Outcasts | Brom - Cren - Grata - Jom - Kam - Kurnst - Nora Keeper - Rost - Yun |