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 Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 8:22 am
Current Location:
The pack is staying within the boarders of the Pridelands at the moment. Discussion is in the works as to where the pack should make their next move, so be alert. It won't be long before the winds lead the Hamaji on to greener pastures once again.
History:
Since the dawn of time wild dog packs have existed in Africa. They were family groups that stayed together to help hunt and raise young. One particular pack was known for it's free spirit and nomadic ways. As the Swahili meaning of their name suggested, they were 'homeless'. This group of dogs had no set homeland or territory of their own, instead they travel together across other lands, unclaimed areas or claimed territories alike. They show some respect for the land owners but they have their own set rules and way of doing things within their own pack, so they don't feel other's are relevant to them.
One popular legend about the Hamaji tells of how they took on the title and came into true existance...
The pack of wild dogs came across a domesticated wolf on one of their livestock raids. After they left, the wolf turned on his human master and broke free, rebelling against the laws and restrictions that had long been imposed on him. Finding the pack of wild dogs once more they allowed him to join them, having been so impressed with his courage and actions. Though he was obviously not a true wild dog, they believed he had the spirit of one.
Not long after, the pack's dominent female Haramia, began to grow fond of him and eventually took him as her mate. Rogoa (as he now named himself) told them all of what he had learned from the humans. Different ideas, cultures and some words. He told them they reminded him of hamaji - homeless people, nomads. Haramia laughed and told him that they did have a home, but it was simply within the heart of the pack. Together, they would always be home. Still, the name caught the fancy of the group of wild dogs and since then they took it on as their title.
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More recently, only a couple of generations ago, the Hamaji were set upon by a pride of lions who had laid claim to the land where the pack had settled in for the night. They ambushed the painted dogs, killing without warning. Of course the pack rallied to defend themselves and drive off this attack and the ensuing battle claimed many lives from both sides.
Some of the pups managed to escape the slaughter by hiding in the old armadillo burrows but when the sounds above grew quiet and they crept out, not much remained of the pack. One or two hunters had somehow survived, despite being out-numbered and out-sized. Fearing another attack and the complete wipe out of the pack, they escaped with the few remaining pups and fled.
But to the lions and those they told, the Hamaji had been destoryed. Every one wiped out. And so it came to be that no one now remembers the pack of old. No one except for a handful of descendants of those surviving wild dogs, scattered after that fateful night.
Beliefs:
The Hamaji are free spirits. They believe the earth isn't owned by any individual packs or prides, though others may claim they are. These wild dogs think the wonders and sights are there for everyone and so they travel to see and experience as much of it as they can.
They also have a similar belief to the Pridelanders, thinking that the spirits of their ancestors and their deceased members (Should any of them die) join with the wind that blows across the land. And as they run with the wind, they continue their journey with their lost loved ones, forever travelling together. For that is the very spirit of the Hamaji, free wanderers
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Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 8:23 am
New Generation: AkidaHaiji - daughter of Chezaji Mshirikin/a MhengaUjuziHuntersHaveoDafinaMomo - daughter of Ujuzi and Kengee Chafu - son of Ujuzi and Kengee Poka - son of Ujuzi and Kengee Kisho - pup of Ujuzi and Kengee Tamu'kimya - pup of Ujuzi and Kengee Shui - pup of Ujuzi and Kengee Jabari - son of Ujuzi and Kengee Gin - pup of Ujuzi and Kengee ScoutsKengeeYouthn/a DisbandedGzifa - pup of Ujuzi and Kengee Kinyegele - daughter of Ujuzi and Kengee -----         
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Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 8:26 am
Member Descriptions:
Haiji:
Female Adult owned by DDB
The daughter of Chezaji and so now the 'official' alpha of the Hamaji. She had heard many tales from her mother about the pack (though not of the lion attack or that she's the heir) and now she's searching to see if it still exists and if she can join. She's a determined female and not easily scared off her planned course of action, but isn't highly dominating. She believes a firm stance will succeed rather than a fearful one.
Ujuzi (intelligence)
Female Adult owned by Tahja Estes
Nurturing and strong, Ujuzi has been on her own for some time now, though how she came to be this way is yet unknown. She has a realistic, if not slightly cold-cut disposition on life, not believing in sugar-coating bad situations or mincing words concerning foolish actions. She can be sharp and also blunt, but she has a good heart, and is often willing to help others in need, particularly young ones.
Giza-Hawara:
Female Adult owned by Meep
She's kind of a bumpkin, not so much smart as, err...street-smart, pretty much. Very practically-minded as well, but proud (definitely the sort to embellish something that's happened). Oh...and she likes girls.
Haveo:
Male Adult owned by Kaitsu-Ralia
He's really smart and agile. He spent most of his life on his own. But he was initially raised by a hyena pack after he had been abandoned. If he reeks of hyena, it's not his fault...he doesn't like it much either.
Kengee
Male Adult owned by Aris Ravenstar
A simple rogue at heart, Kengee is friendly and unassuming; not the best hunter in the land, yet quite content with himself all around. A bit lean for his size and never having much natural talent, he feels more at ease around females than males, as he hasn't had the best track record when it comes to territorial scuffles and shows of testosterone. He tends to be a levelheaded and laid-back gentleman, and when questions arise about his past, he might maneuver the conversation in a different direction to keep interest on light-hearted subjects.
Dafina (gift)
Male Adult owned by Secret Silence
Dafina is a protective dog. He easily gets attached to one fe/male and protects them and anything that has to do with them. He unfortunately is a racist dog. He absolutely hates completely natural colord plainish males. He usualy tends to just be so protective and rude, but not violent. He likes lurking around the watering hole, and telling young ones of his life alone. He can easily love someone as he can forget them. He loves to speak to young pups telling them of how sad it is to be alone, hoping to encourage the pups to keep with who cares for them.
Kami
Male Adult owned by Lady Shinigami
Momo
Female Adult owned by Tahja Estes
Momo is the very definition of the word zealous. Bold and usually carefree, she doesn't let something silly like safety stop her from having fun, not even as an adult, and especially not as a pup. Now a skilled hunter for the pack, she spends her free time just wandering and exploring, or conversing with or following older pack members, especially older pack members, for their experience and thus, good stories and ideas.
Chafu
Male Adult owned by DDB
Poka
Male Adult owned by Aris Ravenstar
Kisho
Male Adult owned by Ary Keeyara
Tamu'kimya
Female Adult owned by Vashtya
Shui
Male Adult owned by DragonsRage
Jabari
Male Adult owned by DBZ2004
Gin
Female Adult owned by Werewolf
Deceased:
Chezaji
Deceased
One of the daughters of the alpha pair that lead the Hamaji until the time of the pack's temporary dispersal (described above in the History post). Originally she had a few older siblings so she was not meant to become the pack's leader. However after the attack she was the eldest surviving pup, making the title fall to her. This is a role has now been inherited by her only daughter Haiji, after she was killed when bringing down a wilderbeast (it hadn't been worn out enough before she went in for the kill).
Peke
Deceased
One of the sons to the Alpha pair and very close to his sister Chezaji, he also escaped the killing of the pack. He spent his life searching for his sister, he wouldn't believe that the lions had got her. He met a female and together they searched, after a year she had a litter giving Peke five children to tell the stories to. One of which was Dhati, the eldest of the litter. Peke died of natural causes while still living with his family.
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Dispersed:
Dhati'ziua
Male Adolescent owned by Remove
He learnt of the pack from his father and after his father's death he left his family to search for the aunt he had heard of for many years. He left with the hope of his father, he would rebuild the pack whether he found his aunt or not. He has the obvious markings of the maned wolves still in his pelt showing his connection to the alphas.
Mataka
Female Adult owned by Zo-Zo
Gzifa
Female Adult owned by Noyama
Kinyegele
Female Adult owned by demon_pachabel
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Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 8:29 am
Rankings: These are the ranks and positions held by pack members. Although there is a dominant pair, the pack doesn't otherwise have a set 'ladder'. Instead these are more like different roles allowing individuals can contribute to the pack as a whole.
Akida (Alpha)
The pack is lead by the Akida and their Mshiriki (mate). The Akida is usually the eldest wild dog (of either gender) from the leading bloodline. The first born pup of the Akida becomes the Mrithi (successor) to the pack, and usually takes another pup born within the pack as their mate (the pup from another pair of mated dogs, not one of their siblings obviously).
Decisions will be made by both the Akida and their Mshiriki, such as deciding which lands to head to next or who to allow into the pack. These decisions can be influenced by Mhenga (elders) and information gathered by other pack members. But if it comes down to it the Akida will have the last say.
Mhenga (trusted Elder who can be relied on to give good advice)
These are wild dogs who have expertise and life skills and who are particularly trusted by the alphas. They can join hunting and scouting parties but also help with some decisions if a particularly important issue arises.
Shaha (Storyteller and Legend Keeper)
Nearly all the pack enjoy a good tale or a legend and usually one pack member will be exceptionally good at telling and remembering these stories. This individual will also be seen as a sort of teacher, giving all pups the benefit of their combined knowledge. They may take on one or two youths as apprentices and teach them all they know. Showing them the techniques for telling a great story as well as remembering the history and knowledge that the pack has accumulated over time. A sort of mix between a storyteller and a record keeper.
Hunters
As expected, these are the stronger wild dogs who are particularly good at hunting. Usually (but not limited to) the more aggressive individuals, they are untiring, strong and skilled at tackling prey. Of course, they provide for the whole pack. Prey is brought back to the others and all are allowed to feed equally, even pups, youths, elderly, sick and injured. A very important role, as apparently wild dogs never scavenge (no matter how fresh the kill is).
Scouts
For the less agressives and perhaps more lithe of wild dogs, the role of a scout might suit. They make good use of their listening, eyesight and sense of smell to track and take notice of their surroundings, rather than their brute strength and killing technique. They help find potential prey, determine how safe an area is before the rest of the pack move in as well as retrieving the occassional lost pup.
Youths
Any wild dog not yet old enough or skilled enough to take on one of the other positions in the pack will be labeled a youth (pup and juve). They are the responsibility of the whole pack no matter who the original mother is. So strong is this group responsibility for young that pups may even be suckled by another female. Young pups are also allowed to eat from kills, often while older members stand guard.
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Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 8:33 am
Other Ideas:
Got any other ideas to add and fill out this pack's description, culture and history?
I'll post any you reply with in here. Storytelling would be a favorite passtime. The pack's extensive travels would give them fantastic knowledge of places and other legends. These can then be told to young pups and even to other animals - perhaps in return for passage or hunting in their territory?
Coming-of-age tasks, dares and quests for young juveniles to prove themselves. Probably set by pack elders? (ie stealing a goat/poultry from a human settlement or organising a hunt with the other youths)
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