A pride based on natural lion social structure, run by Quaji & Meepfur. If you have questions, please PM the mule or post in this thread.
About the Name
In English, Ithambo’hlabathi means land of the bone. It is called this as the heavy droughts during some years often leave animal carcasses strewn throughout the pride lands.
Directory 1. Location 2. History 3. Important Cultural Topics 4. Rituals and Tradition 5. Options for Boneland's Males 6. Ranks
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 11:57 pm
Location
Approximate real-world location of Bonelands pride. Obviously, some geology and environment has been altered based on specifics of other prides and room for fantasy. However, feel free to use this as a general guide for landmarks, potential pride locations, and distances to large lakes/the sea. See "Vegetation for all of Africa" for the key.
The Boneland's pride is nomadic. They occupy a large region of space and travel in it based on resources available (herd movements) and time of year.
Ithambo’hlabathi is a mostly flat, dry plain with its northeasternmost corner giving way to greater, geological mountainous formations. The northwestern boundary is desert, and steep plateau edges. South, and directly east, the plains stretch outwards, and are filled with lands claimed by other prides.
The pride has moved northwards, away from the river it previously occupied. During summer, they drink from a large, regional lake which does not dry like many of the surrounding sources. Crocodiles, elephants, hippopotamus, and other animals also frequent this site. Drinking can often be dangerous. During the months of the rainy-season, lions can spread out to isolated pockets of small ponds and newly formed rivers. During this time they border with the Firekin Outpost, and maintain neutral-friendly relations with the Motoujamii-Simo. To avoid danger to their cubs, they will pick a water source with little interaction with other animals. Lions are the most active during the winter and spring and hunt where game is the thickest.
The Motoujamii is to the north
Sleeping and Birthing Locations
There are a great deal of rock formations and scattered African trees that provide both shade, protection, and a location to sleep. Females usually find an area protected from the wind by rocks, and relatively protected by rain with a tree or two. The presence of caves are extremely rare, and if one is found, it is usually completely left alone. Boneland's pridal members feel trapped in the small one-entrance areas and are fairly easy prey for agressive hyenas. Sleeping locations are usually areas of greater protection from the elements and may be as simple as one rock which is leaning against another. Otherwise, lions generally huddle together and hide under trees or select bushes to keep out of elements like rain.
For birthing, females wander from the pride when she is ready and pick a special spot to birth her cubs. Typically, these places are no different than the chosen resting places of the pridal members. They may be selected because of visibility, a high degree of shade, proximity to a water source, or simply nostalgic value. Only the mothers know where their birthing spot of choice is located, and they will all have different preferences on what defines the best kind of birthing location.
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Ithambo hlabathi
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Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2014 12:14 am
The Ithambo’hlabathi pride used to be a migratory pride of a few related females, following herds across the plains lands. In recent decades, however, weather in their current location has stabilized to a point that they were allowed to stay. They are still nomadic but travel following migrational patterns on a smaller scale; they no longer wander through half of Africa.
A group of four male rogues traded protection for certain rights, and the pride grew much stronger with more diverse genetics and opinions. The pride has since gone through four generations of offspring and one other, single leader. Because of past experiences, the pride tends to prefer a larger group of males to rule with a single male (or two) who heads the pride.
The Bonelands remain a waypoint for travelling rogue females and lions with strong family ties on the journey of life. Because it is a maternal oriented society (based on who a lion’s mother is), it is unlikely that the pride itself will “die out”, though it may split into factions and migrate in years to come.
In the era of Matifu, male lion cubs were all outcasted and many were killed. Mothers often abandoned male cubs to give them a chance at survival. No other animals than lions were tolerated. One of the sons he let live, however, returned to usurp him. Though he allowed his father to live, the male lion died in the roguelands.
Era of Gakere & Surtak
The new reigning Gakere gave more freedoms to males in the pride. They could vow celibacy and hunt and raise children like females. They are also encouraged to become Enda, traveling scouts and entirely nomadic members of the pride. Later in his installment, he reduced the need for rogue swaps by instating the rank of Inselelo which allows males to challenge for ranks beneath him and maintain breeding and protection rights and responsibilities in the pride.
Gakere was seconded by a lion named Surtak, who returned after Gakere had defeated Matifu. Surtak was known for being utmostly loyal to Gakere and a vicious proponent of chasing out rogue males on sight. He took a strange interest in his male offspring and greatly encouraged all males to fight and train at the Firekin outpost in addition to rigorous training in the roguelands.
The pact with the Firekin came about at the beginning of Gakere's rule during a severe drought. The Firekin invaded the land and sought to take over a spring where the pride currently resided. This was the first introduction for the pride to a solid concept of land ownership, and also the first attempt for other prides to contact and work with the Bonelands. Since that point, they have instated ambassadors to help any future pridal relations.
The only real rules that the Bonelands seems to follow is "survival of the fittest" and "look to your mother". Females will help their own kind, and to some extent the males, in the worst of situations. Barring any major insults, it is rare that they abandon one another.
Keep in mind, this mindset does not extend to all females everywhere. If a member of the Bonelands is injured, the pride will band together to protect them. If an outside female they have not seen before is found in need of aid, she is on her own. There are not enough resources to feed another mouth that may not better the pride in some way.
Because Abholi are the "strongest" males in the Bonelands area and have proven this by both taking over and keeping reign, they are respected by the females under that regard. Most rogue males are seen as "unfit" because of this and is another reason outside males often do not sire cubs. But, like with any teenager or love-struck individual, flings obviously do happen.
Colors within the Pride
While Boneland females do tend to prefer males with darker manes, as it was once believed to be a revealing trait for strong lions, there is no longer a separation between dark or light members of the group.
There is, however, an extreme negative stigma attached to unnatural colored lions. True blues, greens, and unnatural coat colors are rarely, if ever seen within the pride. They are extremely easy for other predators to pick out, and they often die at a very young age. With the passage of time, the pride has grown to believe that not only do colorfully colored cubs bring bad luck, they are also weaker, more prone to disease, and to death in general.
Note: NO colors are OOCly banned from the pride. But, you should be aware of IC reasoning/behavior your character is likely to give/receive. This is a guideline, not law: lions that are on the "line" between one category and another OOCly will likely be on the line ICly and subject to differences in perception from one character to the next.
Accepted Colors - Little to No Stigma These include "natural" shades: creme, white, black, brown, grey, golden yellow, etc. Muted/muddy/ruddy colors of almost any type are also accepted such as: grey or slate blue, grey or slate green, sage green, muddy purples, very light or grey purples/lavender, etc. Lastly reds and oranges are generally accepted as natural in part because of influence from the Firekin. Any shade of purple/pink that is more red than blue should be acceptable.There may be a preference, especially among traditional females, for darker coated cubs because dark-maned males are believed to be stronger. Other than this, all pridal members are viewed regularly.
Tolerated Colors - Some Stigma
Some accent colors (1-20% of the body) of bright blues are accepted, as well as very red coats. Any females with accent colors may be less likely to catch attention of an Umholi. Cubs born with these colors are unlikely to be abandoned, but will likely be watched exceedingly closely by females due to the superstition about their inherent weakness. Females who truly despite unnatural colors will be far more likely to abandon cubs of this color. Non-native lions who are joining may experience some additional difficulty joining compared to their natural-colored counterparts.
Intolerated Colors - Extreme Stigma
These include any "bright" unnatural colors that cover more than 30% of the body: Icy or bright blue, bright green or tree green, pink, purple. Some females will abandon unnatural cubs in their birthing location whether because they do not wish to shame themselves, shame the Abaholi, or survival conditions are poor and they wish to dedicate energy to healthy cubs instead of those believed doomed for failure. A lion or lioness who has survived to late adolescent/adulthood is often considered lucky as opposed to surviving of their own skill. Abaholi will not personally push out these females if they wish to remain because Gakere believes every lion has a chance to prove him/herself. However, the Bonelands females may decide to push out a unnatural colored lioness on their own; this usually occurs late in the lioness' adolescent year. Certainly, any unnatural colored lions will be viewed with pity or derision at best. If they choose to stay, unnatural lions are likely to be subtly (and sometimes not so subtly) discouraged from breeding with Abaholi or Inselele--that is, if they can catch a male's eye at all in the first place. Non-native lions wishing to join with this coat color will have a difficult time. If, for some reason, they are desperate enough to prove themselves to the pride regardless of the scorn, they are still capable of joining like any other lion.
Language
The Boneland's lions are traditionally bilingual, and are expected to learn the common tongue of SoA (swahili) and their homeand-language (a sort of chopped and mixed zulu + other languages native to Africa). That doesn't mean pridal members don't struggle with learning a language. Some may know their home-tongue better and some may understand common tongue with greater efficiently. In addition, Busisa may have knowledge that exceeds two. Newcommers will likely find themselves having a hard time learning the new language as its grammatical structure is poor and has been heavily influenced by variances in language from incoming rogues and other pridal groups that have assimilated over time. Until they prove themselves capable, Busisa will be talked to in common tongue by most members. This means they'll have to learn mostly by listening and later through practice. As one can imagine, this has the potential to end in hilarious results.
Religion
The pride has no distinguished religion. Belief in gods is not shared among all members, although it is generally accepted that they do exist based on eye-witness accounts from outside members. The pride does not, however, hold a belief in any particular god above any other and most members seem to have a great deal of tolerance for different viewpoints. That is to say, they seem to tolerate arguing over the subject for hours.
Seers - Outsiders
Seers are a touchy subject within the Bonelands. In general, members are not fond of seers. Seers that bring "bad" news receive a great deal of stigma--they tend to blame it on the seers themselves when bad predictions come true. If an outsider is known to be a seer, they are often chased away. If they bring a bad prophecy that comes true (the illness of cubs), the lionesses may kill them.
There are two reasons for this: the first is that blaming the seers gives them some sense of control in a situation that it out of theirs. The second is that some of these individuals are not seers, and their wish of ill on the pride may come true due to their own desire to harm the mass.
Seers - Born Inside the Pride
Seers born inside the pride, especially cubs that have grown and become trusted, are viewed in higher status than those that come bearing news from the outside. They are always watched very carefully by all pridal members for both good and bad reasons. If they bring too much bad news, seers are a source of suspicion; therefore, seers within the pride may keep their visions secret.
Seers that bring good news are pestered in quite a different manner. It's natural for members to ask for predictions such as "when is the next rain" or, "will my hunt be successful". Status-wise, seers aren't viewed any higher than the other members, although may be allowed to eat first if a good-prediction comes true.
Other Prides & Pridal Boundaries
Until the appearance of the Firekin (RP here), the Boneland's had little to no concept of property ownership. Rather than having pridal boundaries, the group simply followed the best swath to ensure cubs lived and that every member had enough to eat and drink. If other groups were encountered during wet seasons, when hunting was easy, they were usually ignored. During the dry season, scuffles between wandering groups are commonplace, but the size of the Boneland's pride is usually enough to suffice a temporary claim over a hunting region. Most find the idea of permanent claim unnecessary and illogical. Land is not stable enough to want to hold for long term and trying to defend it causes loss of life.
By now most are used to the pact with the red-pelted Firekin, though they may consider the pride's determination to hold permanent residency a show of poor mental health. However, the agreement taught the Boneland's the necessity of establishing some communication with other prides. The Bonelands are now more likely to send one of their own as an ambassador to keep peace between prides.
Note for Pridal Owners: If you wish to have your pride somehow come in contact with or otherwise integrate Bonelands into plots, please PM the mule. I'm more than willing to create overlap and interaction provided the plot is realistic and feasible for both parties.
Rogues and Males
All rogues are viewed with heavy skepticism upon first appearance. Groups of rogue females are given slightly more tolerance than single rogue females but still raise eyebrows. If they can catch the eye of the Abaholi, rogue females are often quickly given a position in a pride. If they cannot find an acceptable place within the females but have the attention of a male, the Umholi will order the other females to be civil. These rogue females are often given exceptional treatment from the male leaders of the pride, though the other females may pick on them.
Rogue males are quickly chased off. To join the pride, they must either overthrow all ruling males or replace an Inselelo in a solitary challenge. If a new male takes over the pride, rules may change to match their personal preference.
Non-leading males within the pride range from newborn cubs to adults who have just finished getting their full manes on their coats. When they take an interest in females, male cubs born in the pride are driven out by the male leaders of the pride. If a male does not have any interest in females, he may be allowed to stay. These males are expected to hunt and aid in cubsitting. They may also aid in protecting the pride. They are on the lowest-tier in the food-order, eating just before cubs (who most often eat last).
Breeding/Mates
Females are discouraged from courting rogue males and it is their “duty” to see to the Umholi of the pride. If there is more than one ruling male, the females can pick the male that fits more to their choice. The practice is not required, however, and females that refuse to have cubs are allowed to stay as long as they pull their own weight in either hunting or cubsitting. As a rule, all females will take part in watching cubs and those who are able may nurse the offspring of others.
If a female takes a fancy to a rogue male, it is not uncommon for the other females to chase her out of the group. If it a passing fancy (that is to say a fling), they are miraculously lenient in letting these females back in, providing the male rogue stays far, far away and out of sight. If he does not, and the males of the pride do not take their own action, the females will chase him out on their own. There are no long term social repercussions for females involved in flings, but the cubs produced are not viewed as normal citizens and are often not treated the same way.
The acceptance of this varies widely between the viewpoints of pridal members. Like religion, there is no clear stance, and bickering can last for hours between extremists on both sides. Official pride ruling considers them the same as other members, and they are expected to abide by the same standard of rules. Among females, especially if it’s not seen as sexual, strong bonds are encouraged for the raising of cubs. If there becomes an issue with a female refusing to have offspring due to a female to female social bond, the Umholi of the pride may grow to a great deal of anger. These females also risk cultural heckling by other members of the pride.
Because homosexual males do not generally interfere with the genetic survival of the ruling males, they are allowed to stay without a fuss. They are treated equally to other female members and are expected to hunt like the females. They are allowed to adopt, and are often given tasks of taking care of children.
Hybrids
Hybrids are scorned and unwelcome. A relationship with another species would be akin to a human having a relationship with a monkey or other animal species. The results of pairings with non-lion species are viewed as abnormal, heinous, freaks of nature. Females that produce hybrid offspring are allowed to stay until their offspring are juveniles and then she and her cubs are kicked out and she will never be allowed back. To avoid the intense shame, many females will kill hybrid offspring or abandon them. What male leaders do in their spare time is their own business so long as the consequences of those outings do not appear on the pride borders.
Other Species
Hyenas, wild dogs, and vultures are generally tolerated as they pick over rotting, leftover scraps and can sometimes produce good, outside information that is needed. The key word is tolerated, and most of the members born within the pride won’t take them on as permanent friends or companions.
Of the three, there are several cases of cooperation between Bonelands members and vultures. A few lions have been known to form extremely close bonds with vultures, improving scouting, hunting, and alerting the pride to the presence of rogues.
Poisonous animals such as snakes are considered dangerous and killed. Herd animals are considered prey. Leopards and cheetahs are most often seen as competitors for food, and therefore not to be trusted. All animals sizeable enough to kill a lion are watched with apprehension.
Cub Naming
Names should follow an African theme. Different mothers from outside the pride may have a different kind of preference on naming, but the majority of the pride (especially those born there) will name their children African names, most commonly Zulu. Swahili is generally frowned upon, but no more so than a Chinese name would be. Names should also reflect the cub in some way and not the adult he turns into. Mothers commonly use names that describe cubs during their first few weeks or during their travel back to the pride. This description may be based on personality or a habit the cub displayed. Cubs can also be named for things like goals, paths for their future, or words with a specific meaning for the mother. A name without some sort of meaning, however, is an empty name and frowned upon.
Cub Raising
Although a birth-mother is technically responsible for her cubs, the entire pride looks after and raises them. If a cub happens to be in a female’s location, she watches over it as if it were her own. Cub mixing is not uncommon; it is up to children to find their way back to their mothers. Because there is so much family within the group, cubs are often left with aunts or grandmothers while their mothers are out on the hunt or are simply sick of dealing with rambunctious offspring.
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Ithambo hlabathi
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Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2014 12:55 am
Cub Birth and Naming
When females are scheduled to have their cubs, they pick upwards of two females to travel with them and leave the pride until their cubs are born and they are ready to take the trip back (Please note: In the wild, lion cubs can start walking at around 4-5 weeks old). No males are allowed to travel with them. Upon return, cubs receive their names based upon their personality or accomplishments/failures during the journey back. They can also be named for things like goals, paths for their future, or words with a specific meaning for the mother. A name without some sort of meaning, however, is discouraged. Names are most commonly in the Boneland's dialect, Zulu. Swahili is generally frowned upon as it is a mixed language. Some Busisa may be more likely not to follow this tradition and may give a variety of names based on their original background. This may lead to unpleasant, though usually harmless, chatter from the other lionesses.
New Member Names
Although this is not an official tradition and there are no "rituals" surrounding this practice, rogue females that join may adopt an African-sounding nickname. Her fellow pridemembers may also simply "give" her one by beginning to call her by a new name. [OOC Note: It is your choice which name you use on the cert - new names will not be given out officially; you can either pick one and tell people to use it, or wait for one to show up in RP. On that note, if you own a lioness in the pride, they're welcome to "invent" nicknames for new members]
Rogue Swap
This is a new practice in the Ithambo’hlabathi pride. It was instated by the pre-Matifu Umholi when he noticed a trend of his females to “cheat” on him. During this time, females are allowed to take on rogues as temporary mates. They do not have to participate in this practice, but it viewed by almost all pride members as being acceptable. Traditionalist lions are likely to frown on this, but they don’t raise much of a fuss against it if the Abaholi have given permission. The rogue-swap may also be called upon in desperate times, when the leading males fail to produce offspring.
Kwa - When the males hunt
Once a year, preferably when there has been a recent, successful hunt, the pride gathers on a high point in the pridelands and enjoys a bit of sport. The male, or males, that leads the pride is required to hunt on this day to pay their respects to the females that break their backs every day of the week. As males rarely hunt, and are sometimes heavy from lack of exercise, this is often a fun watch, and females are encouraged to joke amongst themselves as the males try to bring down big game.
Ukufahamba - Death Walk
Every lion will, at some point in their life, die. To the member's of the Bonelands, this is, in fact, life. Death is like a second journey, and it occurs away from the pride. All members, when they feel their time is coming, either male or female, are expected to take an Ukufahamba (literally meaning "death walk"). This usually occurs when lions feel their age setting in, and they may be losing their ability to hunt, or are no longer able to bear offspring. It is considered a part of life, and while sad, it is also the next step in finalizing their lives in the pride. As such, the pride gathers to see off the lion or lioness on their next journey. It is seen as weak to die within the pride (though some may choose to regardless), and so a whole celebration occurs when a member decides to venture out into the rogue-lands to spend their last days. The Umholi thank the females for all they have done for the pride, and good-words, memories and stories are often spoken about the lion/ess and her life by other pridal members. If there is food aplenty, they will gather for one large, last meal among the pride. Multiple members on their death-walk may travel together, and some opt to leave with the Enda to have some guidance in the rogue lands.
Naming Cubs after the Dead
Every now and then, a litter is born during, or soon after an Ukufahamba, and therefore the death of a pridal member. While names for cubs are often picked by their personality, there is a special exception for cubs born during this time. They are thought to have the soul of the individual who has died. To honor the dead, the name of the individual who has passed away will take on a modifier to the end or the beginning.
Ending in e, i, o, u - The vowel is changed to "a" or "ku" is added depending on the mother's preference. Ending in a,y - The vowel is changed to "u" or "i" depending on the mother's preference Ending in consonants - A vowel is added to the end. An "a" if it is a female-female soul change. A "u" if it is a male-male soul change. And an "i" if is a female-male or male-female soul change. Beginning in z, x, b, d - "Yu" or "Ya" are added to the front of the name, depending on female preference Beginning in q, l, t, s - The first letter is changed to "r" if a male "w" if a female, or alternately "ge" or "ci" can be added to the front of the name for male and females respectively.
Inqina - A cub's introduction to their home
Literally meaning "hunting party", this is every Ithambo-born lions first introduction to their surrounding world regardless of gender. During Inqina, a few trusted members (no less than two) lead cubs and juveniles on a day-treck away from the pride and into the surrounding environment. They begin at sunrise and usually return by mid-morning the next day. The dangers of floods, drought, prey, and predator are reinforced on this trip through observational learning. As well, cubs and juveniles are introduced to the lay of the land and general survival (where the best water holes are, what downwind is, how to navigate by the sun, etc.). If they are lucky, they will encounter prey and the cubs and juveniles will get to watch their guardians hunt. The entire group spends the night in the wilderness. While Inqina are usually full of fun and games for the cubs and juveniles, it is often extremely stressful for females leading the groups. During the decreased surveillance on the cubs and juveniles, it is easy for things to go awry if cubs do not behave.
IC ORP of an Inqina: Here. It includes more information on how Inqinas typically run. Unless you wish your lion to have not gone for IC plots/etc., you may assume any adolescent-aged lion has gone through Inqina in the past. If your character is still a cub or juvenile, you may wish to wait for a mule-run ORP of an Inqina. You may also run your own whether it is a private RP or an ORP.
Ukuzalwa & Zalwa - The birth of a lion
Females For a Boneland's lioness, hunting is an essential part of life. They live for survival, and survival means hunting. Cubs and juveniles used to die at relatively high rates, so once a lion or lioness reaches adolescence they are said to have finally been born into the world.
This is the closest thing to a ceremony that the Ithambo'hlabathi have ingrained into their culture. From cub through adolescence, young Ithambo'hlabathi are encouraged to find an established member to pick as their partner for their Ukuzalwa. The member they choose must have completed her birth (Ukuzalwa) and have been born (Zalwa) for at least a year. When the adolescent is ready, she will ask their hunting-partner (or sometimes partners) to meet them at dawn of the next day. If the chosen member(s) do not believe the adolescent is ready for their Ukuzalwa, they will simply not show.
If the right of Ukuzalwa accepted, both adolescent and chosen partner(s) leave the pride until they find prey. This could take a few hours or a few days depending on herd movement. Once an adolescent has participated in her first hunt (whether successful or not), she is considered to have become Zalwa.
Males Male Boneland adolescents may also participate in the right of the first hunt. However, it does not carry the same cultural importance as it does for females (an exception to this is Ahluke & Enda: those males who choose to remain in the pride are likely to consider it important). Most males will simply practice hunting with other Boneland males their age; these are likely to be their hunting companions when they leave the pride.
Most males and pridal members view a male's Ukuzalwa (birth) as the process of leaving the Ithambo'hlabathi, showing his survivability, and forming his own pride. He has officially become Zalwa (born) when he has produced his first legitimate children in that pride.
Mkhulu - Great Hunt
A Great Hunt, a Mkhulu is an event that is held when the pride is prospering (ie. abundance of cubs, new members, good hunting, etc) as a way to bring the pride together, on top of being able to ensure the pride is up to the task of feeding the new mouths. It's also an opportunity for those who can hunt adeptly to show off a little.
Due to the huge risk that comes with hunting some of the largest prey Africa has to offer, the Mkhulu is entirely made up of lions who volunteered to participate. Those who did not volunteer may either wait behind and mind the cubs or follow at a safe distance to watch the hunt take place.
It is a ICly timed event that will start just as the sun is setting and end either before or after the sun has just peaked over the horizon. During the night, all those who volunteered to participate will collectively hunt one larger prey than normal, such as an elephant, rhino, hippo or giraffe. Once the prey is downed, if it is, the rest of the pride will be brought over and the pride will feast until they're either full or the prey is gone.
This is a new tradition that was suggested by Umama Ukwazi.
Vulture Chick Hatching
This is an IC, mule-run, ORP "ceremony" only. It occurs whenever IC conditions permit. Information can be gleamed from the last ceremony located here
Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2014 1:10 am
Options for Males Nearing Adulthood
Contrary to what many outsiders to the side believe, male cubs are not considered to be lesser beings than female cubs. Male cubs are simply held to different expectations than their female pride-siblings.
Unlike females, the majority of males are assumed to grow up and want to challenge the Abaholi. Males are usually expected to show interest in females at late adolescence, when their adult mane has begun to grow in. It is commonly accepted that they will then either leave of their own volition, or be pushed out of the pride by the Abaholi. Often times, males are urged out by their own mothers who are sick of them being around. They are expected to leave the pride and attempt to establish their own, elsewhere.
A young male born in the pride who is frisking around with females is generally seen in disgust. He has been spoiled by the pride and has not been required to prove himself as a strong, capable lion. Therefore, flings with these lions are extremely unlikely, and any females fraternizing with them are usually given a cold-shoulder.
Options for Staying
Taking an Oath of Celibacy
Males are allowed to stay within the pride if they agree to abandon sexual interaction with females. Reasons for abstinence are variant, from simply lack of interest, to having a strong bond to the pride and wishing to stay.
These males are still expected to pull their own weight, like every other member of the pride. These males are expected to aid the females in bringing home food for the pride.
While females may not treat them equally, Gakere himself views males as just another member, and will not treat them with any additional attention, or any specific negative attention. That does not mean, however, that they are free to do completely as they please. Like any other members, celibate males must follow by the rules of the pride, or be exiled or killed.
Becoming an Enda
As Enda do not often stay in the pride, any male can take up this position. These males travel, often for long periods of time, and bring back information of the outside world and improve interactions with surrounding prides.
In his travels, he takes notation on water sources, potential lands for immigration, hostile prides close to the borders that need to be managed, and any other information he deems useful for the pride. When an Enda returns from a journey, he shares this information with the pride.
What the Enda does on his travels is his business, so long as that business does not come home with him. Within the pride, however, he cannot show interest in females. An Enda must follow pridal rules within the borders, or be subject to a punishment the Abaholi deems appropriate.
More specifics on the Enda position can be found in the ranks post. Specifics on Enda and bringing mates back to the pride can be found here.
Options for Leaving
Bachelor Groups
As most males come of age together, many will set out from the Bonelands together. They will form groups of 2-5 male lions. Males have hunt for themselves and prove themselves worthy of being able to survive in the harsh roguelands.
Some find they like the life of bachelorhood and never attempt to form new prides. However, most tend to search for their own females by convincing wandering rogues to come with them, by wooing, or outright stealing away females from other prides. Having been raised in the Bonelands, they are taught that only the strongest survive. Being at the head of a large band of females proves one's strength and worth.
Note : You are more that welcome to have your males try and steal females from the Bonelands. Keep in mind that doing so may result in the injury/death of the acting male, so you should plan accordingly. Not all the Umholi are nice enough to let males who fail run away.
Note 2: Any bands created by this or other means should be RPed out in the rogue-lands or another forum. They are, after all, considered rogues. If your lion finds enough females to create another pride, you're more than welcome to make a pride similar to the Bonelands based on your male's cultural beliefs. Unless future IC events entail otherwise, however, the Bonelands pride will not be affiliated with yours in any way.
A different home
Not all of the males are destined to form bachelor groups on a constant quest to start their own prides.
Some find themselves more adapted to other prides, and can and do settle down in these places. Others remain solo rogues.
These males are considered to have left behind Boneland tradition, and while not considered weak, they are generally not considered strong due to the differences in cultural opinion between groups.
Following after the groups of lions from which it was inspired, the only truly stable aspect of the Ithambo’hlabathi pride are its collective groups of females. These are often lead, or ruled, by one lioness (or sometimes a couplet working together) which oversees the care and discipline of the female members below her.
These groups of females are generally composed of family members. The females are often one another’s cousins, sisters, daughters, mothers, etc. Not as common, though certainly not rare, unrelated females will form a close bond of friendship or trust with another female and strings of friendships will create a new group or strengthen ties between two old ones. This trust-bonding is common on among rogue females who have first entered the pride and have no family member ties to relate to.
All groups of females answer collectively to the male(s) that officially lead(s) the group. His, or their, responsibilities include chasing off other rogue males, protecting the pride against threats. Benefits are obvious: they eat first during meals and they have the first and final say on breeding. These males do not tolerate rogue males, and will treat their own offspring far better than those that are born of rogue-flings. For information on flings and mating practices, see the important topics post.
Multiple males ruling a pride tend to concede to one another based on the darkness in shade of the other’s mane. White-maned males will have the least amount of influence in their decisions while dark-maned males will rule without question. The male with the darkest mane also eats first and has first selection of females.
Umholi | (pl. Abaholi) - Leaders
The members of the Ithambo’hlabathi pride are not inventive; the names they choose in Zulu generally describe the position they represent. Umholi, a version of the Zulu word for leader, refers to the title of the male leader of the pride. If there is more than one, they can be referred to in a group as Abaholi. It is common for lioness’ to refer to males as “Umholi” followed by the actual lions name rather than a similar honorific like Lord or Lady. A Rogue male, or a group of rogue males, can try and overthrow the current Umholi, but until this happens, he remains the sole leader and protector of his congregation of lionesses. Over certain matters, the male’s word is law. This includes who is officially accepted into the pride, when cubs are kicked out, and the punishments given to lions that deserve them. In addition, he, or “them” in the case of multiple leaders, has first rights over all the females and he eats first. Depending on the ruler, some may or may not allow outside males to mingle with females, but most will not. If a male fails to uphold his responsibilities of protecting the pride from rogue males or otherwise, he is not immune to being evicted or “kicked out” by the females. Rank Availability:Locked
Inselelo | (pl. Inselele) - Subordinate to the leaders
These are the rotating Umholi of the Ithambo'hlabathi. Quite literally meaning challenge in Zulu, these males have to be wary of potential usurpation at every hour. They serve under the Abaholi as guests, but beyond that have nearly identical tasks and rights to Umholi themselves. They must defend the pride against outside rogues and outside forces, but in return will eat before the females. They have breeding rights with females, though must submit to any restrictions the Abaholi choose to place upon them. An Inselelo earns his place by challenging and defeating the Inselelo that came before him. The Abaholi will not come to the aid of the challenged Inselelo, and if the Inselelo should lose his challenge and be chased out, then a new Inselelo will take his place. In this way, the pride ensures that new blood is incorporated into their ranks but that offpsring produced are still the strongest the savannah has to offer.
OOCly, these lions hold rank for 3-month periods. If the owner has 3 completed RPs, the term is extended by 3 months. During the second term, 4 complete RPs are required. The third term lasts for 2 months at which point the rank can be OOCly challenged. Exceptions, i.e. more than three terms, may be made for individuals who show consistent dedication to RPing.
Rank Availability:When terms of active Inselelo are expired, the rank may be won OOCly through a challenge . See Member's List to get a general idea of when the next Inselelo rotation will occur.
Enda | (pl. Aenda) - Scouts with vulture companions
Like their Zulu name suggests, these lions travel far. Because of this, they are always lions in their prime age and must have a particularly strong parternship with their vultures. Aenda are the scouts and diplomats of the Bonelands pride. They are in charge of scouting lands beyond the pridal territory in case the pride must move. The Aenda and their vulture-companion bring in information of traveling rogues or prides that may be a threat. They may be gone for weeks to months at a time, and so are not usually expected to have cubs. Aenda must be able to hunt for themselves, and be of a disciplined mind. They are often tasked with interacting with prides the Boneland’s may come in contact with. They will sometimes organize trades, and establish either good or bad relationships with other lion groups. These lions may even spend a few months in other pridal lands, learning culture and becoming friends, before returning to the Bonelands. Some, in fact, never come back. Because of the constant distance from the pride, adolescent (and even adult males) are allowed to become Enda instead of being kicked out of the pride. To do so, they must first prove themselves by obtaining a loyal vulture companion. A feather is taken from the vulture, and a tooth from the lion (an extremely painful process), and traded to one another to signify companionship. For this reason, Enda-lions and their vulture companions are easily recognized by their feather and tooth. Some IC information on Enda taking mates can be found in this post. Rank Availability:Special Event Only
Ahluke | (pl. Ehluke) - Celibate
Derived from the Zulu word "to be different", this is an exception to the "Aboholi only" rule. This rank is given to either homosexuals, asexuals, or males who have sworn an oath of celibacy. Often doted on by females, these males are considered slightly above cubs in status. They are required to hunt with the females, but they are often given the position of looking over the pride's cubs. They are still subject to the pridal rules and will face punishment, exile, or death for breaking a vow of celibacy. Rank Availability:Limited, but open to males born in the pride and joining rogues. Permission must be granted in the rank request thread. One Ahluke per five lionesses.
Umama | (pl. Omama) - Leaders
The term means Umama means mother, the reasoning being that the Ithambo’hlabathi pride bases social structure on mothers. Females will often relate to the subgroup that their mother relates to and the leaders of these groups are simply called Umama. These females are generally the eldest, although it is generally accepted that they should still be able to hunt, and they are the backbone and organizing force of their subgroup of females. She watches over all the cubs, knows everyone’s name, and often has a great deal of patience and ability to speak. She brings complaints and opinions directly to the males, and has enough backing from her female associates to challenge him if he tries to take a stance that she does not believe is right. More often than not, she’ll lead hunting parties or assign a female to lead. There can be more than one Umama in a group, though there is generally only one. Rank Availability:Open, but requires IC following of at least 3 other adult pridal members (You don't have to RP this out, but post the names of the 3 lionesses and the names of their owners in your rank-request form; make sure you have OOC permission from those owners to do so)
Enkulu | (pl. Omkulu) - Great Hunters
This rank is more like a title than a traditional rank and is 100% for bragging rights. It's proof, granted by the Abaholi at the time, showing that these lionesses went above and beyond a normal hunter's call to aid in celebrating the good fortune the pride was enjoying. It's a sort of 'addition' to a rank. A lioness might be known (and certed) as an Enkulu, but they will never stop being a Busisa, Umzingeli or anything else. They may get a bit more special treatment, especially in the first few months after a Mkhulu, but it is not expected or the norm. Rank Availability:Open, but requires OOC participation in a Mkhulu.
Busisa - New Blood
All rogue females entering the pride are given this title. Because the Ithambo’hlabathi pride is so strongly based off of family ties, bloodlines are tightly linked and Abaholi have a hard time finding females that do not share their genes. Female rogues who wish to join and stay are welcomed without much fuss by males (although the groups of females may have something different to say about this!), and the good treatment they receive makes them seem “blessed”. Rank Availability:Open
Umzingeli | (pl. Abazingeli) - Born-In Blood
This refers to all Umholi/Inselelo-born-females of the pride upon adulthood. The term literally means “hunter” as all females share this task. As long as they fulfill their hunting duties, members of the pride may persue any other type of “artistic” activity. Rank Availability:Open
Cinga | (pl. Cinga) - Lions with vulture companions
The name literally means "to look around". Cinga can be young, old, or anywhere inbetween. A Cinga's vulture-partner uses his flight to search for locations of water and movements of prey-groups. Those who are leaving for hunts will often check in with a Cinga before they leave, to garner information that may aid them. During droughts, Cinga focus on discovering water and may travel small distances outside of the pride with their vulture-partner in search of stable water sources both above and below-ground. In exchange for their work, the vulture is protected by the lioness when it feeds off of dead carcasses and is guaranteed a full belly. Rank Availability:Open, but requires a vulture familiar and an RP/SRP between vulture/lion
Enda | (pl. Aenda) - Scouts with vulture companions
Female Enda are uncommon as they are expected to leave the pride and the Bonelands needs females for hunters and cub-rearing. Most females have ties to the pride, and do not wish to spend the long periods of time away from home that are required. Information for Enda can be found in the male ranks section. Rank Availability:Special Event Only
Female Cubs through Adolescence
These are simply referred to as “cub” through adolescence when they begin to hunt and take on the role of “Umzingeli”. This status will only change in adulthood if they become a leader of a particular sub-group in the pride. Rank Availability:Open
Cabanga | (pl. Umcabanga) - Ambassadors
The ambassador's of the pride, cabanga literally means 'to think' or 'to imagine'. These members of the pride must sacrifice their place in Boneland's territory and travel to foreign lands. Even among foreign culture, they must stay true to Boneland's tradition and their ways of thought. As such, Umcabanga are chosen from those who are not rash, foolish, or governed by emotion. They tend to be young, spirited, and heavily dedicated to the pride and can be of either gender. Their job includes keeping the peace between the pride they are stationed in and the Boneland's pride. They are expected to represent the majority viewpoint in the pride and will not be chosen unless they display utmost dedication to the Bonelands. Potential candidates are usually chosen at adolescence. Only the most mature, even-tempered of those will be sent to another pride. Usually, the females talk amongst themselves to pick the best, but the final decision belongs to the lead Umholi of the pride. Once they leave, the ambassadors rarely come back, and one must be stationed in the allied pride at all times. Rank Availability:Special Event Only
Lusizi - Unfortunate cubs
The meaning of this word is “sad”, and that’s just how these cubs and lionesses look to the blood-born members of the pride. These children are those that are born because of a fling or were the offspring of a previous Umholi who has been overthrown. These cubs are treated less well by all of the pride. Pity for them is not unheard of, but the majority of lions present in the Ithambo’hlabathi pride will still treat them less well than other cubs. These cubs eat last and are given less exceptions if they break rules within the pride. The reasoning for this is simple: they don’t share the blood of the Umholi and so are less valuable to the continued existence of his bloodline. All male cubs born from any bloodline are also referred to as “Lusizi” as they cannot be "born" until they leave the pride and form their own. Rank Availability:Open
"Is my female cub a Lusizi?" - This applies to all female cubs, including joining ones! - Father is a rogue and the pride knows. Lusizi - Father is a rogue and the pride doesn't know (believes the litter is an Abaholi/Inselele litter). Cub - Father is an Umholi/Inselelo and is still in power when the litter is born. Cub - Father is an Umholi/Inselelo and has been overthrown when the litter is born. Lusizi
