The Nyissans were a race of men who lived in the small, Southern nation of Nyissa. The Nyissans worshipped the god Issa, had the totem animal of the snake, and were ruled by a matriarchal monarchy under Queen Salmissra. The queen was essentially a figurehead and the government was in fact operated by the bureaucracy comprised mainly of male eunuchs. The most senior political figure was Sadi, the Nyissan Chief Eunuch - a minor character in the Belgariad and a companion in the Malloreon.