Yoku, sometimes called Old Redguard,[1]Old Yokudan,[2] or High-Yokudan,[3] was the ancient native language of Yokuda. After the Yokudan migration to Hammerfell around 1E 808, the settlers began to assimilate into the larger Tamrielic theater and the language was almost entirely replaced to help stabilize foreign trade.[4] However, certain groups of Yokudans maintained their language and traditions outside of mainstream Redguard society.[5] The famous Redguard poet, Weltan of Sentinel wrote all of his work in Yoku despite also being fluent in Tamrielic.[6] By the late Third Era, the language was still spoken, albeit rarely.[7] There is a regional variant of Yoku known as the Banthan dialect. It derives from the eponymous region of Bantha.[1]
Yoku has 48 different versions of the word "honor", which all trace their roots to ugak-ta.[UOL 1] In the Yoku language, chrysocollas held a strong association with defense. Interestingly, in Yoku, the term for defense is simply a different tense of the word for offense, rather than being a distinct word.[8]
Despite the geographical proximity of the Lefthanded Elves, Yoku and the Sinestral language diverge considerably.[9]
Find (v.); the preposition do 'of' is used before the object; 'napere sa do dongo' literally 'to find here of sister', and means 'here to find [my] sister' [14][15]
Many of the holidays extant in modern Hammerfell are said to be direct translations of older Yokudan festivals before their migration to Hammerfell.[24]
Aduros Nau: The villages in the Bantha celebrate the baser urges that come with Springtide on Aduros Nau.
Baranth Do: Celebrated by the Redguards of the Alik'r Desert. Pageants featuring demonic representations of the old year are popular, and revelry to honor the new year is everywhere.
Chil'a: The blessing of the new year in the barony of Kairou, is both a sacred day and a festival. The archpriest and the baroness each consecrate the ashes of the old year in solemn ceremony, then street parades, balls, and tournaments conclude the event.
Ghraewaj: A festival of the graces the gods have granted the people of Lainlyn over the centuries.
Koomu Alezer'i: A tradition in Sentinel for thousands of years. The people of Sentinel solemnly thank the gods for their bounty, and pray to be worthy of the graces of the gods.
Note: The following references are considered to be unofficial sources. They are included to round off this article and may not be authoritative or conclusive.
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