Are you tired of Bonelands things yet? I hope not, because they also need Omama! Omama are a very important part of the pride's social structure, but unfortunately we have no active Omama at this time. If you're interested in playing an Umama, please read on...
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Umama | (pl. Omama)
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.
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.
Originally, the pride consisted of two subgroups, one for darker colors and one for lighter colors, but over time it has become less about physical differences and more about differences of opinion. The subgroups are very fluid, so far as belonging to one or the other goes, and can merge together, be absorbed one into another, or even just fade away. The state of subgroups in the pride has been in flux for some time, but especially so during the drought, and as the Ithambo'hlabathi moves past the recent hardship and into the reign of new Abaholi, these are the subgroups they move forward with:
(Please note that ICly, the groups aren't actually referred to by these or any formal names. If anything, they're "Umama So-and-so's." )
- The Conservative Subgroup
Highly traditional, lionesses of this subgroup adhere very strictly to Bonelands conventions.
Coat Color: only natural colors and reds are considered acceptable, and members of this group will look down on, if not outright harass, unnaturally-colored individuals. Opinions on red do vary within this group; some much older lionesses may still disapprove of it, though this opinion has largely died out as a consequence of Andhaka's time as Umholi and the subsequent prevalence of red in born-in members.
Rogue Breeding: frowned upon outside of a rogue swap. The mother and cubs will likely be 'encouraged' to join another subgroup.
Breeding Males: the darker the mane, the better! Dark-maned males are believed to be stronger and healthier, and few in this group would consider breeding with a pale-maned male if there were better options available to them. The choice between a pale-maned Umholi/Inselelo or a dark-maned rogue would be something of a toss-up, depending on the strength of an individual's opinions on one matter or the other. Most females in this group are also likely to prefer that the males not stick their nose into cub-rearing.
Ehluke: accepted so long as they do their part to hunt and cubsit, but they rank very low socially, and may face derision from some of the lionesses for choosing to stay instead of leaving the pride to become a 'real' male.
- The Moderate Subgroup
A happy medium, naturally.
Coat Color: natural colors and reds are greatly preferred, with no stigma remaining against the latter. A small amount of unnatural color is tolerable, though still not ideal, while predominantly unnatural colors will still carry some stigma. They will rank lower socially, but won't be openly harassed.
Rogue Breeding: is still not embraced by this subgroup, mainly because the cubs will be Lusizi and, therefore, their chances of survival will be lower, so it's seen as something of a selfish act by the mother. They will not be chased from the group, however.
Breeding Males: will still be preferred by some in this group to have dark manes, but by and large less emphasis is placed on the old belief that darker manes equate to strength; after all, there have now been several Inselele with lighter manes, who were clearly strong and healthy or they would not have earned the rank.
Ehluke: so long as he hunts, cubsits, and takes no interest in females, a male who takes the Ahluke rank is generally welcome in this subgroup, but in social status he will still be ranked below the females.
- The Progressive Subgroup
Who needs tradition? We can do what we want! (Mostly.)
Coat Color: natural colors and reds are still dominant by far, and by some will still be considered inherently better than unnatural colors, but unnaturally-colored individuals will not be harassed or treated harshly.
Rogue Breeding: who a lioness breeds with is entirely her own business. As long as she doesn't keep him around, this subgroup doesn't raise a fuss about a lioness breeding with an outside male, though the offspring will still be of the lowest rank until they reach maturity.
Breeding Males: personal preference will vary, but if they do their job properly, the color of a male's mane usually holds less importance for females in this group.
Ehluke: so long as he hunts, cubsits, and takes no interest in females, a male who takes the Ahluke rank is very welcome in this subgroup, but in social status he will still be ranked below the females.
- The Qyrhyeshti Subgroup
This subgroup is still an informal one, as there is no designated/official Umama at this time, but it is a subgroup everyone is well-aware of regardless, comprised of the refugees who arrived in the lands during the drought and exterminated a troublesome local hyena clan in return for admittance into the pride. Currently, it consists almost solely of the Qyrhyeshti, and their views and culture are a hybrid mix of Bonelands and what they brought with them. They continue to value strength and fighting ability very highly and keep themselves in fighting condition, and are willing to teach other females to fight as well.
Coat Color: natural colors and reds are still dominant by far, but unnaturally-colored individuals will not be harassed or treated harshly. Strength and intelligence are highly prized in this subgroup, with appearance a distant third in terms of importance.
Rogue Breeding: due to their emphasis on strength and intelligence, this subgroup will generally prefer Abaholi and Inselele to father their litters, as they have proven themselves. A female interested in breeding with a rogue is expected to test them in a fight first - if the male can tie or best her, he is suitable.
Breeding Males: very few in this group will place any real importance on the color of a male's mane.
Ehluke: are accepted only if they truly have no interest in females (are asexual or homosexual). Anyone else will be discouraged from staying, and lionesses in this group are likely to chase their sons out even before the Abaholi get around to it, expecting them to go out and make something of themselves.
