The kele koronu are a class of warriors, hunters, merchants, and farmers widely considered to be the default kafo of any person not tied by blood to any of the other kafonu. Of all the kafoka, kele koronu enjoy the most freedom in terms of what activities they are allowed to pursue. In traditional society, the vast majority of kele koronu are farmers who would serve as soldiers for their resident manga koro ruler in times of war. In the modern age, kele koronu have branched out into many different professions, though the highest honor for a koro is still military service.
Relationship with other Kafoka
Unlike other kafoka, kele koronu are not strictly dependent on the patronage of a manga koro or more powerful kele koronu for their livelihood. Therefore, their relationship with manga koronu is not as close (excluding, of course, organic personal friendships). In traditional times, a typical kele koro’s relationship with his manga koro didn’t extend beyond paying his taxes and answering the drum in times of war.
Kele koronu often seek knowledge and advice from their local jaseliwu and finawu. While most kele koronu do not have the status or means to retain personal jaseliwu, some kele koro families will cultivate a kamaya (patronage) relationship with a local jaseli family.
All kele koronu (whether they are hunters, farmers, or practice some other trade) purchase their weapons and tools from local numuwu and senkuliwu. Kele koronu who make their living as traders often provide an important service to numuwu and senkuliwu, helping to distribute their crafts over greater distances. Many of these trader koronu maintain long-term symbiotic relationships with certain craftsmen.
Attire & Adornment
Most kele koro clothing is designed to show off the koro’s biggest asset – a powerful body. As such, kele koronu typically show more skin than other kafoka. While it is not uncommon for a kele koro to wear looser clothing with more coverage, this is considered a sign of weakness, insecurity, or deceit.
Since kele koronu are traditionally fighters, hunters, or manual laborers, the jewelry they wear is typically limited to simple metal bracelets and anklets, and small rings or studs in the ears. Necklaces and dangling earrings catch on things too easily to be a viable fashion choice.
Marriage
In traditional Yammanka society, kele koronu were only allowed to intermarry with their own or (if they were very lucky) with manga koronu. With inter-kafo marriage laws loosened or abolished in the modern age, many koronu have started marrying other kafoka, though it is still frowned upon.
Terms of Address
- Koro a prefix for any member of the manga koro or kele koro kafo, similar to the English ‘Mr.’ or ‘Ms.’
- koroke a respectful address for a male member of the kele koro or manga koro kafo, roughly equivalent to the English ‘Sir’
- koroyaa a respectful address for a female member of the kele koro or manga koro kafo, roughly equivalent to the English ‘ma’am’
- koroden a diminutive address for a young member of the manga koro or the kele koro kafo
- korodenke an old-fashioned diminutive address for a young male member of the manga koro or the kele koro kafo
- korodenyaa an old-fashioned diminutive address for a young female member of the manga koro or the kele koro kafo
Families
Kele koro families mentioned in the Theonite books thus far: Akara, Ameno, Chiba, Duno, Fola, Ginkawa, Guang, Ikeno, Kankan, Katakouri, Koma, Kwang, Magoza, Matsuda, Mizumaki, Nandiza, Oba, Sheng, Sumba, Tarore, Tau, Thundyil, Tsusano, Yambi, and Yukino.
Symbols
The official kele koro symbol is a barbed spear, pointing upward. Many prominent koro families have their own symbols.
MERCHANDISE
Get the kele koro symbol on shirts, hoodies, and other stuff here!
