Skeleton Coast Pride

The Skeleton Coast Pride is the most well known group of nomads in the Theocracy of Formene. They are a group of Leonin who have traveled up and down the Coast since before the Ernesh Conflict. They are herders who raise camels, goats, cattle and donkeyThe Pride travels up and down the Skeleton Coast, following the seasons/weather and taking their herds/flocks to better feeding spots/watering holes. They occasionally travel further into the Ayrith Desert but they primarily dwell on the coast. They work together to survive in the harsh conditions of the area. They hunt if necessary but with the milk make cheese and butter. They tan hides and eat the meat. They gather resources from the land, catch seals along the coast, carve some of the bones washed ashore to make useful and decorative items to trade. Occasionally they rescue and escort shipwrecked people to the nearest town. They occasionally clash with the SSS werejackal pack (Strategic Salvage Squadron) that scavenges the wrecks and sells the proceeds as the Jackals have no qualms over robbing the people who wash ashore.  The Strandwolf Pack is is also known to have had skirmishes with the Pride. A few packs of Brown Werehyenas with shaggy coats who thrive primarily on the seals colonies on various beaches along the coast. They have hidden dugouts in the dunes but come together each full moon to feast.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Some common female names are Xena, Nova, Rori, Vannah, Rina, Cleo, Vitani.

Masculine names

Some common male names are Max, Zeus, Leon, Harl, Des, Kula, Ahadi, Kopa.

Unisex names

Other popular names are Jira, Kamili, Kodjo, Unika, Kala, Saha, Keny, Nami, Suda, Kazi, Zahara, Arman, Moro, Kala, Ibi, Hari, Ya, Bia, Dan, Zi, Corin, Amra

Family names

The Pride doesn't tend to use family names. They see themselves all as one large family so there is little point distinguishing between families. This can cause some funny interactions with people from other cultures as they tend to use the full name each time they address someone.

Other names

The young have a childhood name which they give up at their coming of age ceremony. Some examples of these names are Fang, Whiskers, Paws, Skip, Boots, or other more affectionate terms.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Primarily comprised of Leonin, the Pride has slowly diversified over time. Shipwreck survivors, lost travelers and other wandering nomads occasionally decide to stay with the Pride rather than risk the desert or towns. Those who stay tend to assimilate into the Pride's way of life.
Leonin is the primary language spoken, but common is used if necessary.

Culture and cultural heritage

Many meat centered feasts, BBQs, group hunts. 
Any task is handled by several group members. Adults teach the youth all the life skills. Everyone has a go at everything and although they may excel in certain areas, they still help the pride in any areas needed.
Hunts are staged just so the young can learn valuable skills.

Shared customary codes and values

Survive to Thrive. Everyone has their part.

Average technological level

The Skeleton Coast Pride does not utilise money. They are hunters, gatherers, crafters and herders who work together. They occasionally trade with other prides to help diversify their breeding stock or exchange skills and knowledge. But what others use for monetary goods are of little use to them. They also trade the carved bone items for useful items they've not been able to craft themselves.
They developed a way of making coffee in a metal container in the sand. It bubbles up and is very cool. Now widely spread throughout the Theocracy of Formene.

Common Etiquette rules

The Pride's rules have been passed down from generation to generation. The Aunties-aka the older females of the Pride generally remind the others of the rules of the group. The Uncles-aka the older males tend to ensure the Pride members are falling into line.
Bowing means that play fighting is about to occur. 
A formal greeting is accompanied with arms out to the side and eyes raised to the sky, head turned to the side slightly. 
An informal greeting between friends can include hands/paws clasped to either side of the face, and nuzzling noses/cheeks to each other depending on the degree of intimacy. The accompaning sounds include humming and puffing.
Children are greeted with a head rub.
Elders eat first. Wash before and after eating. Do your bit. Stay within roaring distance.

Common Dress code

They wear well covering articles of light colour clothing to protect them from the elements.
Head coverings are worn by those without enough fur/hair to protect them from the elements. And are worn by all on long journeys or during storms. 
Long skirts or pants may be worn by anyone and shirts with long sleeves are the norm. Furs are worn at night and leather straps, belts and boots feature as part of the everyday garb. 
Everyone who has come of age wears a bone tooth necklace - presented to them at the ceremony.

Art & Architecture

Bone carvings are the primary artform.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Many meat centered feasts, BBQs, group hunts. Any task is handled by several group members.
Every year the Pride travels into the desert to the site of their old village. Although most of it is buried beneath the sands, they still take the time to go and honour their ancestors. They have mostly excavated their temple and continue to worship there annually.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

After birth, the mother collects some breastmilk and mixes it in the stomach of a camel with some camel or other milk, seals it and keeps it for the coming of age ceremony. 
At birth the Aunties and Uncles gather and give a birthname, which may be changed on the child's first birthday if the name is found not to suit that child.

Coming of Age Rites

The coming of age ritual can be found at the following link:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/archylavia-chylnz7/a/skeleton-coast-pride-coming-of-age-ceremony-ritual?preview=true?
In short, the young one is given a new adult name and moves into their own tent and begins to contribute more to the group.

Funerary and Memorial customs

When mourning the dead, they shave off their eyebrows.
The Pride takes their deceased back to their traditional tribal land which is in the Ayrith Desert. They build a pyre in a hole in the sand, place the body on top covered with a specially woven dune reed cloth. Special bone carvings are placed around to hold the cloth down. A bone crown is placed over their head. Some chants are spoken and then the pyre is lit by those who were there when the individual died, or their nearest relations. As the fire burns, stories of their life are acted out around the fire. Their favourite dances and songs are danced and sung. And at the end, the Pride roar into the vast expanse in a loud chorus. The sand is filled into the hole that remains and stones placed on top. Once their eyebrows grow back, some members of the Pride return, dig up the bones and take them to the temple where they are decoratively carved with symbols of their life and personality and then the bones are added into the architecture.

Common Taboos

Staring for too long followed by a roar-it is a challenge to the authority of the other.
Pointing to the center of the chest. Considered rude and a threat.
Touching the Neck. Also a threat.

Common Myths and Legends

Were once a group of shapeshifters who roamed the lands shifting between humanoid and lion forms. Over time as most shapeshifters slowly lost the ability to shift the leonin settled on a humanoid lion form. Only a few rare individuals retain the ability to shift nowadays as a few shifters remained able to shift and passed it down. Most have forgotten that their ancestors could shift so shifting can be regarded as undesirable now. As their form settled, some people got uncomfortable having them around and rather than stick around, the group of leonin banded together and set off together to find somewhere else to live. They looked for places to settle and due to the fog, storms and extreme winds along the coast they wandered around the Ayrith Plane as they followed their prey. After the Ernesh Conflict they headed back towards the coast. Over time they adapted to herding and now move for better grazing opportunities for their beasts.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Females tend to have short hair and the males long luxurious locks. Even the non-leonin. Fur/hair is the norm and hairless people/beings may be gawked at initially.

Gender Ideals

The females hunt, gather and protect the children.  The males protect the territory and focus primarily on crafting, guarding and herding. Everyone learns all the skills but most often tasks are carried out this way.

Courtship Ideals

Sharing fresh food first is a sign of interest.
There is a certain pattern which if carved onto a piece of bone jewelry and proffered to someone shows an interest in sharing a tent together.

Relationship Ideals

Someone who participates in Pride life.

Major organizations

They trade primarily with Kairaviel and the Wildegarde Outpost at the Seventh Great Kingdom of Gothriathon border with the Theocracy of Formene. Occasionally while trading in a town, they may be asked to take items/messages to settlements at the other end of the coast or some isolated settlements along the way. They need to trade for certain tools from time to time, including metal pots, pans and knives.

Related Locations

• Skeleton Coast