Kenene

Re communes host Kenene which are like state police. They have no home commune but instead move between them as needed to help protect and keep peace. The Kenene guide and protect residents on their travels between the communes. They usually lead groups called tutura [t̠ʃɵ.d̠ʒɵ.ɹʌ] of up to 200 individuals at a time and this service is provided at no cost to Marafire citizens.

The Kenene are employed by the city-states, and in exchange for their services each commune gladly provides food and shelter to them and their tutura. Kenene can be identified by their brightly colored and elaborate headdresses, worn so they are easily seen through the forest by everyone in the tutura.

There are few state-maintained routes through Marafire, and those that exist are full of danger and cover perilous terrain. Everything from jaguars to highwaymen patrol these roads, so hiring a Re Kenene is by far the safest way to travel. Not only will they get you safely to your destination by navigating the vast webs of arboreal bridges, they will shelter and feed you on your way. Unofficial guides called neaane are also for hire for much cheaper, but do not come with the same safety guarantees and may or may not extort their party for more money throughout the journey.

Unfortunately for foreign travelers, the only fully accessible and maintained land route between the north and the south is the main highway through Marafire. The alternatives are booking water passage across the Freshwater Ocean or Freshwater Sea.

This Kenene from the Fiufiunesiti Lake region dons a headdress of red kuasika feathers which represent trustworthiness and reliability.



This Kenene from the Fu province wears bright pink kaaka feathers which represent cunning and perceptiveness.



This Kenene from the Nutenine provice paints its face and tail instead of wearing a headdress because bright colors can attract dangerous predators in this region. The vibrant paint is highly visible to the tutura but can be hidden within seconds if needed.



Since this career is a highly mobile one, many Kenene end up marrying other Kenene since they usually don't spend enough time around anyone else. As a result, it has become a family business over the past few centuries and most Kenene are distantly related.