COLORS
Colors in draqa, as you have seen, are roots that behave as any other. They,
however, have acquired over time particular significances and connotations
which have led them to become useful word-building tools. Each of the basic
color terms has assumed a "personality" and a shortened form, which when
prefixed to another root enhance its meaning.
sika / green
Spontaneous, natural, dynamic color. It is the color of growth and creative energy.
Like the greenery, it constantly changes its outward nature without truly changing.
tanik / blue
This is a cool, natural, clear color. Like the sky and sea, it is very clear and
understood without elaboration.
woka / brown
This is the most fundamental of the natural colors. It is the color of skin and dirt. It
is because - it is and that's how it should be.
cika / black
This is the dark color of night. Frightening, but mysterious and sometimes soothing.
Like walking in the black night, it can be a struggle to get through the mystery. Fear
must be overcome, because the end is rewarding or safe.
kloi / white
This is the color of singularity. One-mindedness, One-ness, etc. White, when bright
makes it difficult to see anything else. It is purity, not in the Western sense, but in
the sense of without outside interference. The aggregate of all existence, xemba is
obviously represented by this color. The word also means light, color, singularity
and unity.
fe'ika / red
Like the bright red flowers, this color is loud and attention grabbing. This is the
color of display, not gratuitous, but because that is one's path.
*tias / turquoise
This is the most pure and beautiful of colors. It is natural, fresh, clear, singular and
sexual. It is the ultimate blend of sika, tanik, and kloi - pure perfection if the draqa
had a concept of perfection
*síar / yellow
Usually this is grouped with green because of its similar nature. However, this is the
aspect that adds comforting warmth (like the sun), cheeriness, joy, brightness,
kindness and extroversion. This is the color of springtime's bliss. It also signals the
distinction between the colors of summer and fall (multiplicity) and the whiteness of
winter (singularity), and the first flowers of spring. [Thus implying the existence of
another paradigm besides the multiplicity/singularity duality]. Urine, etc. is
comfortably warm, and in this case (i.e. the word "warm") there is a correlation with
Western thinking.
* 'tias' and 'síar' have their connotations, but do not have corresponding shortened
forms for word-building.
Here's an example of how the colors are used to make new ideas:
hoi "friend" / hina "acquaintance"
sihoi / sihina
The "green friend" is typically someone you grew up with. You both have formed a
close bond, and witness the evolving nature of your friendship. You can pretty much
be yourselves around each other, realizing that your conflicts and surprises will pass
and give rise to others, etc. as you grow together.
The "green acquaintance" is someone who you tend to feel naturally familiar with.
You can forsee yourselves putting together a compex, dynamic relationship (positive
or negative). And indeed, it has been so far.
tanhoi / tanhina
The "blue friend" is someone that you have a strong, very evident connection. There
is not much need for elaboration, as there is a sort of 'telepathic' understanding of
each other, or just an appreciation of being in each other's space.
The "blue acquaintance" is someone with whom you have a similarly unexplicated
relationship. Often, this will be a person with whom you may slip off with into the
woods for unspoken pleasures. It may, on the other hand, be someone to whom you
are uncannily drawn (e.g. past-life friendship, déja-vu, etc.)
wohoi / wohina
The "brown friend" was just meant to be your friend. Simple as that! Whether it
creates more problems than they solve, or vice versa, there is no denying this
relationship.
The "brown acquaintance" is somebody that you'd just naturally be acquainted with,
for "obvious" reasons e.g. family, village members, etc.
cihoi / cihina
The "black friend" is somebody that you just can't quite figure out. You get along
great, but there is something mysterious, odd, unpredictable, unknowable about your
friend.
The "black acquaintance" is that mysterious stranger that you happen to bump into
occassionally, perhaps at social gatherings. This person always attracts your
attention and interest, but you know relatively little about them. You probably are
curious.
klohoi / klohina
The "white friend" is somebody whose friendship with you revolves around a single
activity, or very few. You get along, and are friends-in-name, but really only share
your lives together with regards to that activity, e.g. music, schooling, sport, etc.
Similarly, the "white acquaintance" is someone whom you really only interact with
on one level, but have gotten to know on a casually friendly basis, e.g. someone in a
shop, trader from another village, etc.
fe'ihoi / fe'ihina
The "red friend" is the wild friend that always seems to stand out. This is the person
you get together with when you want to have a good time. You may not have much
more in common than good times, and sometimes this friend might or might not be a
little overwhelming; but you realize that you can also let your hair down more than
usual. Actually, you both are probably quite tame when you're not together, so this is
a relationship to be cherished.
The "red acquaintance" is also that person that stands out. This person tends to be
lively or interestingly dressed, and tends to spice up an occasion. Often this may be
an aunt or uncle from another village, etc. who comes by, adds a touch of color but
leaves before adding too much.
Last Updated: February 27, 2000