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 Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 11:12 am
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 this thread
Multiple males ruling a pride will 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, by himself, and has first selection of females.
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Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 11:24 am
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 are 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, have 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 banding together.
Rank Availability: Locked
Inselelo | (pl. Inselele)
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 Umholi Gakere and Umholi Surtak 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 also have breeding rights with females, though must submit to any restrictions the Umholi choose to place upon them. An Inselelo earns his place by challenging and defeating the Inselelo that came before him. These personal challenges are for the Inselelo themselves, and not the Abaholi as an entirety. 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)
Like their Zulu name suggests, these lions travel far. Because of this, they are always lionesses (or lions) in their prime age. They must also have a particularly strong parternship with their vultures to do so. 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)
Derived from the Zulu word "to be different", this is an exception to the "Aboholi only" rule. This rank is given to either homosexual, asexual males, or males who have sworn an oath of celibacy. Often doted on by females, these males are considered slightly above cubs in status. Under Gakere's rules, 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: Open to males born in the pride, but requires 2 completed RPs and 1 post in an ORP OR a 3rd completed RP
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Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 11:26 am
The term means Umama means mother, the reasoning being that the Ithambo’hlabathi pride bases a great deal of social structure on their mothers. Females will often relate to the subgroup that their mother relates to and the leaders of these groups are simply called Umama to reflect this. 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)
Busisa
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 Umholi 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)
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)
The name literally means, to look around. Cinga can be young, old, or anywhere inbetween as they are not required to travel long distances. The majority of the work is done by their vulture-partner, who 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)
Female Enda are uncommon as they are expected to leave the pride, and Boneland's needs its females for hunters and cub-rearing. Most females have ties to the pride, and so do not wish to take up the celibacy becoming an Enda requires as well as the long time away from home and family. 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 “cubs” up through their 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
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Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 11:27 am
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 land which they are from. 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 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 OnlyLusizi
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 are commonly outcasted into the roguelands when they have grown their adult mane.
Rank Availability: Open
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