Otambe

Description
The people of the Savannah, known as the Otambe, are the direct descendants of the mythical Loluzo, one of the original human tribes, which settled in the harsh deserts and jungles of the Otambala region. They are a strong, clever and friendly people. They all live in separated villages and tribes, but all of them respond to the great city of Watara, where the ruler of the Otambe Empire lives.

Otambe people vary in size, some are taller than the average human, but the majority have an average size of 1,60cm. Otambe people have dark skin, some might have light colored spots in their bodies, they have coarse, curly hair which they take a lot of pride of. The empress and her family, all direct descendants of the original Loluzo emperor, have unique hair, white in color and also posses blue eyes.

Culture
The Otambe people are described as friendly, gregarious and stoic. They are quick to learn about new cultures, religious customs and languages. Many Otambe people speak two to three languages, usually the Sylvan language and Laverian language.

The Otambe traditions and culture vary between all the different tribes of the Otambala region, but it is agreed that they possess a surprisingly progressive culture. For example, both men and women serve equally in the tribal defenses, women can be part of the shaman circles and the more organized clergy, which many cultures in the North and West don't allow. One of the most defining features of Otambe culture is their strangely open love life. Considering love and love-making an extremely important thing in life. Slavery is heavily frowned upon in the Otambe Empire.

While a peaceful culture by nature, they are not strangers to war and battle, in the past they have fought their natural enemies, the Sahirians, during their various jihads on the Otambala region, each time they've succeeded over their far-eastern rivals. They are known to make sacrifices for their God of battle during times of war, that range from cattle sacrifice to actual human sacrifice.

Religion
The Otambe religion has fewer Gods than other religions in Utaria. They do believe in Utaria, but her role is reduced to a minor goddess rather than the creator deity. The Otambe call Utaria, the  Mami Watah which means, Water Mother. Her daughters, Lorelei and Arastria are named  Nzumi and Sakura. Both goddesses represent the natural balance between Order and Chaos.

Other gods include the dragon war and death god Wakuta, the lion headed goddess of bravery and discipline Wonda, the fertility and love goddess Lulima and the god of pleasure and revelry Do-Dongo.

Equipment
Most Otambe warriors wear little to no armor, due to the lack of iron and metal deposits scatted throughout the Otambala region. Some warriors use leather or hide armors, decorated with leopard or lion furs, but the majority of the Otambe warriors go almost naked to battle.

Due to the lack of minerals, the Otambe resort to stone spears, hatchets and arrow heads to fight in battle, shields made out of straw and hide are essential for any Otambe spearman.

They do however, have enough iron to craft their famous sickle sword, the Shotel, which is feared by northern soldiers as these swords seem to be quite efficient at piercing through the weaknesses of plate armor. Another popular weapon made either out of hardwood or metal is the Iwisa, a powerful mace capable of crushing through shields.

Trivia

 * The Otambe people are inspired by various African Kingdoms, tribes and peoples. Mainly inspired by the Empire of Mali, the Kingdom of Kush, the Zulu nation and the Solomonid Dynasty.