[ WP ] We 've seen epic fantasy worlds based on historical Europe ( i.e . LotR ) and historical East Asia ( i.e . Avatar ) . Write about an epic fantasy world based on historical Africa .

He was on his knees, surveying the faintly rolling landscape in front of them. There. Maybe five hundred dash paces in the direction of the sun, there appeared to be movement. 
 
 He motioned in the grass like the pride-folk over his shoulder to his spear brother and sister. They immediately crouched, on hands and feet, staying below the grass line so as to remain invisible to any discerning eyes beyond. It was a challenge, at least in this part of the great plain. The sea of grass had burned here not too long ago and was now barely up to their hips, making it much more challenging to remain invisible while moving. He joined them in their pride-folk like position, acknowledging the satisfaction he felt in how far they had come in their grass craft since becoming his spear family. 
 
 “ Kela, ” came a whisper from behind. 
 
 He had always been called Kela, though his given name was Kelatik. His tribe name was ‘ ik. When formality necessitated, he would be addressed as Kelatik ’ ik. However, this was not a formal occasion and amongst his spear family, Kela allowed for quick communication. Vitally important when ranging on the grass sea. 
 
 He turned his head slightly, signaling to Teka that she had his attention. 
 
 Faint words reached him again. “ Pride-folk. Perhaps four hundred dash paces, towards the sun. ” 
 
 She had seen what he had seen. His pulse quickened. Out here, in the open grass and in unfamiliar land there was no way his small spear family of three could deal with a pride-folk, let alone a group of them. If he had seen them, they would have seen him long before. There was no point in trying to remain hidden at this point. Pride-folk were generally reasonable to deal with, and they always honorable in observing the code of the open grass sea. They would at least tell him and his family they were going to die before killing them. 
 
 He stood up. 
 
 “ Kela! ” the words came from below him now, frustration and surprise wrapped in the blanket of a whisper. 
 
 “ Teka, Unta, we had already announced ourselves. There is nothing left for us to do at this point but to honor the code. Be respectful, or it could cost us our lives. ” 
 
 A guttural roar officially announced the presence of the pride-folk, followed by the standing of three feline bodies. The death-as-grace way they moved was impossible to ignore. It appeared to be three females, as none looked to be with mane. After their display, they went down to all fours and raced towards his group. They covered the distance many, many times faster than his people could have. A terrifying yet beautiful sight. 
 
 Within moments they surrounded the spear family, rising once again to walk on two legs. He still held his spear, but left the tip pointed to the ground. Teka and Unta did the same. Again, he was proud of their composure and strength of character. He knew many of his people who would not act so, especially when surrounded by three of the pride-folk on the open grass sea. There was a reason the three of them had decided to become spear family. Many reasons. 
 
 The pride-folk circled his spear family, full of feline strength and grace. Their large, copper, predatory eyes gazed at them, looking up and then down, measuring them. 
 
 The smallest, if she could be called that, one spoke first. “ These ones appear fit and well fed, for thin-skins. ” She followed with a laugh, displaying a mouth full of massive dagger like teeth. 
 
 “ Yes, it looks as though their hunts have been successful lately. Surprising, especially if there is only three of them. ” 
 
 They continued circling the spear family while taunting them. The constant dance just outside his spear range ensured that any sort of quick, coordinated attempt at taking them down would be next to impossible. Pride-folk were not dumb. It was easy to admire them. When it came to the taunts they were throwing at his family, Kela had to admit he had heard much worse from very respectable people in his tribe. These pride-folk were just having fun. They meant no harm. 
 
 “ Silence you two, we have not yet introduced ourselves. Honor the code. ” 
 
 That must have been the leader. She was dressed more richly than the other two, and her tone conveyed an air of leadership. 
 
 “ Yes my lady, ” echoed the other two in unison. 
 
 They stopped circling as they collected in front of his spear family, three facing three. The one who appeared to be their leader glanced down at his spear, and then back to his eyes. He turned his head to either side, nodded at his spear sister and brother and then tossed his weapon to the grass. Unta did so as well, but Teka took a second longer. The leader of the pride-folk saw Teka ’ s hesitance and betrayed a small smile. 
 
 “ I am Kelatik ’ ik of the ‘ ik. These are my spear brother and sister, Unta ’ zi and Tekalan ’ ik. ” 
 
 They both stepped forward to stand beside Kela, nodding to the pride-folk. 
 
 The apparent leader spoke first. “ You are well mannered for a human, at least in these parts. I must confess I have not heard of either the ‘ ik or the ‘ zi tribes, you must be ranging far. ” Her voice, full of authority as if experience in battle, while at the same time gentle like a mother speaking to a child. 
 
 “ I am Sirith, of the Golden Umbrella Tree pride. ” 
 
 Now he had her name. The pride-folk did not have titles. Hierarchy amongst them was challenging to understand, as it shifted depending what exactly was occurring in a given moment. He assumed she was of a warrior background, given the deference the others showed her in this situation. 
 
 “ I am Nara. ” 
 
 “ And I Nith, we are both also of the Golden Umbrella Tree pride ” 
 
 They came forward, no weapons in hand. With claws longer than his fingers, they didn ’ t need weapons. 
 
 His spear family had no choice but to do the same, honoring the code and respecting the customs of the pride-folk. When they reached each other, they did not embrace as humans do with another they care for. Rather, the pride-folk knelt down to be of an equal height with the humans, and each side placed their chin on the shoulder of the other, necks to necks. This was a vulnerable position for the pride-folk, about as close as a human would ever get to them and still be alive. It was deeply respectful, and it confirmed to him that he and his spear family would not die this day. 
 
 “ Welcome to our pride land, Kelatik ’ ik, Unta ’ zi and Tekalan ’ ik. We have been watching you for several days now. The winds carry foul scents and we have much to share with you. ”
