|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 7:54 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 8:48 pm
 It was all a big accident, really....
One family lost the home they had fallen in love with, set adrift once more. They traveled down the coast, seeking a new home...and they met a juvenile lioness who'd gotten her first glimpse of the sea. It was an accident that they bonded, and that the juvenile had met one of the lions before.
One thing led to another, and they settled in that area where they met. But they were not bound. For each member of this strange new family loved to learn about things. And to learn, one had to go beyond the borders of their little pride...
(Better version to come. Xd wink
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 8:55 pm
 A Nomad's Haven
The pride started because wanderers needed a home. And that's how they'll always be. They'll provide a safe environment for other wanderers...a haven that will always be there no matter how much a lion may move. Information is valuable...each wanderer that returns brings more and more information to the pride, and the Kifuko's den becomes something like...a library. You want information? This is the place.
Information for Information
To join the pride, information is key. A tasty morsel of knowledge to be added to the growing collection shown on the Kifuko's den-walls.
Other Prides
When a pride member is out Seeking, the territory of other prides is never entered without permission. After all...the Simbafutaji like living. When asking permission, an offering of a kill, at least a hare, is presented as a peace-offering. Some pridal lands are avoided unless they MUST go there: the Simbafutaji would rather not have one of their own become a slave.
Slaves
The Simbafutaji have none. They may have animal companions that have chosen to stay with them, but they are not slaves.
Non-lions
Though non-lions are welcome among their ranks, they are not the dominant species. Hybrids are uncommon...but not unheard of. After all, the first Mlumbaji's had a litter of hybrids.
Bondings
When two lions(or non-lions) of the pride chose to mate for life, it is cause for celebration. The lions in question say simple vows to one another, affirming the love they have for one another before the rest of the pride, and exchange small gifts that can be worn, usually bone or shell necklaces/bracelets. The day and night is spent celebrating with song and dance, and then duties are resumed as normal the next day. The newly Bonded pair are then allowed first eat of the next three kills, as a 'charm' to ensure a healthy relationship.
Flings
'Love happens'. That's what the members of the pride say. It happens, and one does not need to be Bonded to another for it to happen. Any cubs that result from that love (or lust) are raised just the same as the cubs of a Bonded pair.
Flings during a First Seeking, however, are another matter. Since an adolescent is supposed to be looking for themself during the First Seeking, having cubs during it is discouraged. If that turns out to be part of the 'finding oneself' process...then so be it. Otherwise...they might get a stern talking to when they get home. This is, of course, harder to enforce with boys than it is with girls.
Cubs
Cubs are treated with great love and care, and any caught harming a cub intentionally is dealt with very harshly...usually exiled after each parent in the pride has had a swipe at them. Play and teaching a cub to fight are not considered intentional harm. The entire pride helps to raise cubs, to help lessen the burden on the parents, and to teach the cubs that they are never alone and have the entire pride to turn to.
Leadership
Passing on leadership will be determined when leadership changes paws the first time. More on the leadership of the pride in a later post.
Hunts
After a successful hunt, after the prey has been brought back to the pride, the one who struck the killing blow gets first share, followed by the cubs and the pregnant, then the rest of the pride.
Rite of Passage
Once a cub reaches adolescence, they must go through a rite of passage. It is two-part. The first part is the adolescent's First Seeking. They must gather three pieces of valuable information on their own, to bring back to the pride...often times, a cub has a good idea what sort of information they want to bring back. They also bring back an item that symbolizes what is most important to them...this varies from member to member. Sometimes this takes a day or two, other times it takes a month or more. The second part is a task set to them by the three leaders, dealing with their chosen path of adulthood. For example, a hunter would need to bring back a gazelle on his own. If one fails their rite...they are allowed to try again after a bit, though they are not considered an adult until they succeed.
For Fighter-trainees, the rite is a little different...It's a two-in-one rite. They accompany another adolescent on their rite of passage, and not only do they Seek information, they are also the protector of the other Seeker. If the other Seeker confirms that the Fighter-trainee did well, then they are accepted as a Fighter and adult.
(What this means OOC: To go from Seeker to your 'adult' rank on the Member's List, we need you to post in the Member Update, once your SoA has returned from their seeking! Sometimes this only takes a week or so ICly, sometimes they're gone until they're adults! The second part CAN be RPed out...but is not necessary. Just make sure you talk with the owners of the current leaders to work out WHAT the second part would be...for future reference.)
New Pride Members
For an adolescent and adult, they bring a valuable piece of information to the Kifuko. Cubs and juveniles are simply adopted in, and treated like any other cub. (Further details in the Joining thread)
Leaving the Pride
Losing a member is sad...but it happens. There are many sad goodbyes, but nothing bad. No maiming or such...Just a n acknowledgment that a member of their family is leaving.
Seeking
Sometimes, a pride member gets wandering paws, or wants to find something outside the borders of the pride. When this happens, they go Seeking. This is not considered leaving the pride, but they MUST tell the leaders they are going. Sometimes, a member may get sent on a Seeking by the leaders for various important reasons...
Good Luck Charms
Charms play a big role in Simbafutaji. Every Seeker carries one with them while Seeking, and the Hunters and Fighters wear them at all times. They represent the pride's wishes for them to be safe and sound. Every charm means something different...but each charm always carries one meaning that is the same...'Protection'.
Death
Death happens. And when it happens, the pride mourns. They place the deceased in a position similar to how they slept, on the borders of the pride, and leave a bit of the last kill near them. They believe that just as they take from other animals to live, they must give back when they die, in order for their spirits to be freed and continue to their next place in the Circle of Life.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 9:10 pm
 All Part of the Food Chain...
Leadership
There are three leaders: the Kifuko(Holder), the Mlumbaji(Speaker), and the Ipi(Fist).
The Kifuko is the keeper of information. S/he keeps track of all the information the pride gathers...on the stone walls of the great den used by the Kifuko, and smaller rock slabs kept at the back of the cave, away from the water.
The Mlumbaji is the 'delegate'. S/he is the intermediary between the pride and other animals or prides, and collects knowledge relating to the cultures of other prides and animals. S/he also acts as the 'culture' teacher for the cubs. Every night, before the cubs sleep, the Mlumbaji teaches the cubs something new about either their pride or the world around them.
The Ipi is the one who organizes the hunters and fighters. When the pride is under attack, the Ipi also acts to organize the 'civilians' well-being. S/he is always collecting knowledge of new hunting techniques and 'fighting styles'. Never know when something a hyena would do could save your life.
The three leaders work together for the good of the Simafutaji, and though they may have their differences, they know when to set them aside and work through things. After all, they can argue all they want after everyone is safe.
Hunters
These are the lions and lionesses who stray from the beach and go to the savanna within the pride's borders, in order to bring back food. They are held in high regard, and have impeccable teamwork. In times of battle, the hunters act as the keepers of order, making sure everyone gets to a safe place, or taking down anyone who gets past the fighters.
Fighters
Not all capable adults and adolescents become hunters. Some are fighters, holding the safety of the clan above their own lives. They protect the pride and watch the borders, and take turns at watch. Like the Hunters, they have great teamwork, and often fight in pairs.
Healers
With the life of a wanderer and a life on the beach come inevitable hurts. A broken limb, eating what looked like a tasty plant...Things happen, and the healers ensure those that get hurt get better. Some healers are small, others are large enough to carry their wounded pride mate on their backs. The methods of each healer often differ.
Crafter
Sometimes, one comes across a shiny item. And sometimes, one can't help but want to carry it around. So it's taken to the crafters, who turn it into a wearable piece. They are a strange group, constantly collecting bits of material. It's highly likely some of Sanaa's followers are in this group...
Little Kifuko
The Kifuko's apprentices are given this title once they've completed their Rite of Passage. They help the Kifuko from getting overloaded or overwhelmed by the information coming into the pride. Each Little Kifuko's method of holding information is different...but they all have brilliant memories. There are 1-3 Little Kifuko at a time.
Seekers
When a pride member leaves the borders to go Seeking, they take on this title, unless they are a Little Kifuko.
Apprentice
As a juvenile, a cub is 'apprenticed' to a member of the pride who will teach them what they need to know for their chosen path. Once they reach adolescence, they go through a Rite of Passage.
Cubs
Cubs are nurtured, encouraged to play and explore and examine things new to them, and are taught about the world around them. Their opinions are valued as much as any other pride members: the eyes of a child see things the eyes of an adult do not.
There are no 'nannies' because the entire pride helps raise and watch after the cubs. The entire pride is treated as family...even those who Seek more than the others.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
