Kayemba

The Kayemba are a nomadic horse-riding people, composed of half-orcs and humans. They respect venerability and nature above all else.
The Kayemba (especially those who are half-orcs) detest orcs.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Kipka, Keno, Musa, Gali

Masculine names

Khombo, Okong, Otahh, Odoko

Family names

Iyatan, Mwera, Nyonki, Mwanga, Mugwa, Wera, Ogom

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

The Kayemba have their own language, referred to as Kayemban.

Shared customary codes and values

Experience

• More than anything else, the Kayemba respect experience, thus age. Kayemba have great respect for other Kayemba older than themselves, and this translates to their views on the Arnak and Etsuman. The Kayemba do not, however, extend this respect to the Tebtai, who they believe are “weakened” by their reliance on technology.

Chance

• The Kayemba understand that the world will act in the way it wishes, and they must simply learn to act with it. They relish and appreciate the unknowing, and rarely attempt to understand the “why” of the world, dealing with obstacles as they appear, and understanding they will appear again. This reflects in to an overall mood of contentedness. The Kayemba believe that they way they live now is optimal, and “progress” is futile, rather they work to maintain their current way of living.

Collectivism and cooperation

• The clan comes first, and Kayemba must work to better the lives of all those around them, sharing their successes and failures with their clan, as this is the only way they can survive.

Nobility & Justice

• Kayemba believe in fighting with honour and respect. They believe conflict must be organised and structured. When an opponent surrenders, conflict ceases. Kayemba cast out those who offend the clan (with any particularly egregious crime), and may even brand them, so other clans know to avoid them.

Nature

• The Kayemba have a great understanding and appreciation of the natural world, believing it is inhabited and influenced by spirits of those that have left the mortal plane of existence, this manifests as thanking nature for when it provides, but little else. Most Kayemba will pray before and after a hunt. The Kayemba avoid particularly advanced technology, as they believe it divorces oneself from nature, and weakens the connection and understanding of the natural world. Damaging the natural world is viewed as an affront, and many Kayemba even believe that permanent settlements are also insults to nature.

Nomadism

• Kayemba are nomadic, but territorial. Clans are supposed to respect the claims of other clans, but in some circumstances, clans might attempt to remove their rivals from a claim. In cases like these, the land is often viciously defended. The only permanent settlement of the Kayemba is Kipko, in which the council of Elders convene, and where the Protectors of the Plains are trained.

Strength

• The Kayemba respect martial prowess. All young Kayemba are taught at least to a degree, how to protect themselves. In some cases of disagreement, combat is used within a clan to handle disputes. In rare cases of trial by combat, these fights may be to the death.

Equality of opportunity

• With no caste or class system, and no lineage-based rulership, the Kayemba firmly believe any Kayemba can become anything they wish to be. Any strong child can be a Plain Rider, any intelligent child can become a forager, any kind child can become a teacher and so on.

Common Dress code

The Kayemba subsist on the land, never wasting any part of plant foraged or animal hunted. Their clothing consists predominantly of leather and bones.

Coming of Age Rites

There is no “working age” amongst Kayemba. Children will train in what interests them, and when capable, begin contributing to the clan.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

The Kayemba seek partners who are both strong and wise. Indications of these traits are typically found to be very attractive.

Gender Ideals

The Kayemba firmly believe any Kayemba can become anything they wish to be. Any strong child can be a Plain Rider, any intelligent child can become a forager, any kind child can become a teacher and so on. Gender has no bearing on this.

Courtship Ideals

When clans meet one another in the plains, if there is no reason for animosity, then a festival will be held, in which likely single young Kayemba will be introduced to one another. After this, any that have shown interest in partnering with a member of the other clan, will leave with that respective clan. This is difficult for them, but a joyous occasion.
Typically, it is the strongest Kayemba that remains with their previous clan. If this is not easily decided (i.e. if both or neither are Plain Riders) then they will decide this through a jousting-like competition.

Relationship Ideals

Kayemba clans are made up of a small number of families, although a clan functions really as one large family.
A child is raised by the entire clan, and although will live with their biological parents, view all those older than them as “parental” figures. Kayemba cooperate in raising the young.
Kayemba may leave their clan for whatever reason, to explore lands beyond Kayemba. This is not frowned upon, but it may be an emotional and difficult time. Other Kayemba may leave their clan to complete a specific task, as penance for a crime, or to trade supplies.

Encompassed species

• Half-orc
• Human

Related Organizations

• Repbulic of Kayemba Clans

Languages spoken

• Kayemban