Kozi (/koːdʒi/)

The Kozi is the name that the Kozoni sometimes call themselves. They are the people of the Sunlit Horizon and live on all its islands. In the past, the Kozoni were a Fado ethnic group called the Kozi. But after the Settlers enslaved this group, they diverged and became a separate species.   When talking about the cultures and customs of the Kozoni in general, Kozi is still used today. Sometimes, the word is also used by younger people as a slang form of Kozoni. But it is considered a slur if the Settlers use it, because the Settlers used to say it as an insult to their ancestors.  

History

In the past, the Fado were divided into 3 ethnic groups: the Kozi, the Otleni and the Pasi. At the height of the Age of Triumph, a strange group of people, simply known as the Settlers, wanted to use the Fado to help them conquer the continent. So they enslaved the Kozi tribe and drove the other two ethnic groups out of their homes.   During their time in slavery, the Kozi started diverging from their original species. The Settlers grew their empire and journeyed south with the slaves over the next century. Eventually, the enslaved adapted to their new environment, which was a lot hotter and drier than where they were before.   Although the Settlers had a large native population, disease killed a lot of them off. The remaining slaves took advantage of the smaller numbers and fought for many years to free themselves from slavery. At this point, they were so different from what they were before that they called themselves the Kozoni. After they freed themselves, the Kozoni moved south to what is now called the Sunlit Horizon.  

Ethnic Groups

The current Kozi population is made up of many ethnic groups in the Sunlit Horizon. The majority of the population is concentrated in the northernmost islands of Isinoki, Kinjalo and Nsitonga. In some of the southern islands, there are multiple ethnic groups with smaller populations.  

Isinoki

• Isi: The Isi are the only inhabitants of Isinoki and are known for their strong adherence to the rule of law and tradition

 

Kinjalo

• Kinjo: The Kinjo live in the northern half of Kinjalo and are based around the island's coasts
• Adomi: Culturally close to the Kinjo, the Adomi live in the southern half of Kinjalo

 

Nsitonga

• Nsitani: The Nsitani are known for their sharp and pointed antlers, which they use as hunting and adventuring tools and once they have been shed

 

Bondisa

• Bondi: The Bondi live in the north of the island, and are a nomadic people without a permanent home
• Edayo: The Edayo are the people of the grasslands, and are known for their navigational skills
• Ibenga: Known locally as the people of the river, the Ibenga live along the Uzibenga in the south of Bondisa

 

Tosana

• Vakuna: The Vakuna live on the southern islands of Tosana and are not as close to all the other ethnic groups in the Sunlit Horizon

 

Languages

Most people would say that the Kozoni speak one language, which is Kozita. But that is not necessarily true. The Kozoni actually speak many languages, which are all mutually intelligible. So to outsiders, it appears as if they speak one language. The different languages are actually tribal languages, with a few differences depending on location.   Despite their relative isolation, Kozoni are also taught to speak Natza, the language of the Natuzans. Most Kozoni can speak Natza fluently as a second language and often surprise the Natuzans with their proficiency.