Wendol

Pronounce: Ven-dol The Wendol are a nomadic people. The tribe itself is divided into five clans. The Bear, Wolf, Raven, Horse, and Horn. Each clan is governed by a clan chieftain. But all clan chiefs serve under the tribal chieftain who oversees the wellbeing of the entire tribe. They have earned a reputation as fierce and hardy warriors. Whom mostly fight from horseback. The Wendol roam the Wildlands grazing their herds of sheep, horses, and goats.

Culture

Culture and cultural heritage

No one really knows where the Wendol come from. But what is for certain that they have a strong warrior culture and an equally strong culture of horsemanship. They're not mindless raiders but aren't above of doing so. They prefer to graze their herds and move on. They'll frequently trade with villages that they come across and at times sell their services to the highest bidder.

Average technological level

The Wendol are expert iron workers and bow makers.

Common Dress code

Wendol clothing consists of a lot of leather and furs since they are a nomadic people. However, they will trade for clothing made of fabric. Polished bone, feathers, and beads are used for decorations. As well as precious stones and metals like gold and silver.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Trophies Wendol love to take trophies from fallen foes. The most preferred trophy is your opponent’s head. So, it’s quite common to see skulls attached Wendol warriors’ spears and lances; or seeing skulls hanging from their saddles if the warrior is a horseman. Skulls are so valued the tribal chiefs tent entrance is said to have an arch way made of the skulls. The second-best trophy is taking an enemy’s scalp. Like skulls, scalps are used as accessories for the Wendol. Jewelry is the third-best trophy a Wendol can take. Other trophies are claws and fangs from animals that they have killed. Trophies are a way in order to gain an enemy’s spiritual energy; or medicine as the Wendol call it. Entertainment Wrestling: a large cloth ring is laid out it’s usually about six feet in diameter. The wrestlers will step into the ring and proceed to grapple. There is no striking allowed. The only way to win is to make your opponent to yield or to throw them out of the ring. Making your opponent to yield is considered a proper victory and a ring out is considered cowardly. Game of Rings: is a horse-riding competition where a rider tries to put their lance through five rings that are suspended from poles of varying heights. Each rider gets three passes and the one with the most rings wins. If there is a tie, they will keep making passes at a single ring until the tie is broken. Tests of strength: these games are rock throwing, log toss, and tug of war. Counting Coupe: a ring is laid around a stake. One warrior has rope tied to one of his legs and is attached to the stake. The rope is usually about four feet long. The tied-up warrior goal is to stop five other warriors from touching him and running out of circle. If he stops three of them, he wins. Other forms of entertainment include feasting, dancing and drinking, and arm wrestling. Sitting around a fire and telling tales are also a popular form of entertainment especially for the children. The point for most games were to keep Wendol warriors’ battle skills at their peak. The tug of war was meant to build up team work where others focused on individual skills.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

All Wendol are blessed by the Clan Shaman at birth when blood of an scared animal is smeared on their forehead and lips.

Coming of Age Rites

Most Wendol youth aren't considered proven until they kill an enemy in battle or preform an extraordinary task.

Funerary and Memorial customs

The funeral ceremony of a Wendol is very simple the dead are placed upon a pyre and their bodies are burnt with their most prized possessions. Their soul being released from this world and hopefully into paradise.