Kanakans

The Kanakans are a West Alutran ethnic group found predominantly in the Alutran Steppe. More particularly, they are concentrated in the western portion of the steppe which is known as the Kanakan Steppe for them. Historically, they were a fierce, nomadic people, gradually beginning to settle more permanently with the introduction of agriculture to the steppe in the 1500s. Even today the Kanakans are known for their horsemanship. A majority of Kanakans today live in Ventora, !Avakhtem, and Esharat, with a considerable number still found in Velorenkya.

History
While the Kanakans were not known for invading outside of their traditional range of the western Alutran Steppe, they were fierce warriors able to defend themselves and their nomadic communities. They tended toward relatively small independent communities. When necessary, the communities could quickly gather support from other Kanakan groups. In this manner, they could field large groups of hihgly skilled cavalrymen who were proficient with bows, lances, and swords. In this manner, they were able to largely retain their autonomy even as the Ventorans attempted to establish hegemony over portions of the west-central steppe. This led to an uneasy co-existence during the 12th to 15th centuries.

Trade was a main factor in the relationship between Ventorans and Kanakans. The nomadic nature of the Kanakans who used the steppe as a trade route through central Alutra was central to this. This trade was the major economic benefit of the steppe region. Its lack of other obvious value at the time helps explain why Ventora did not more aggressively attempt to subjugate the Kanakans. With the introduction of agriculture to the steppe in the 1500s, the Kanakans began to settle down, becoming more semi-nomadic and then less nomadic over time.

Beginning in the mid-17th century, many Kanakans were drawn south of the steppe to work for ranchers in the transitional climate between the steppe and the Ventoran plains. They developed a reputation for their skill, hard work, and relative unruliness. Increasing reliance on crops and ranching likely led to the Kanakans becoming more tied to specific locations, largely ending their nomadic lifestyle.

Language
Many Kanakans speak Kanakan as their first language. Most, however, are also proficient in another language, often the official language of the country where they live.

Religion
Traditionally accustomed to smaller groupings, the Kanakans tend to adhere to religious beliefs, accounting for about 44.4% of all Kanakans. With some assimilation of other cultures, larger creeds have been accepted by some Kanakans. These include Sortisism (33.3%) and h'Ejrad, both with significant followings in the wider west Alutran region.

Culture
As a historically nomadic people, horsemanship and are important to the Kanakans. Even before agriculture grew in significance in their traditional ranges on the steppe, the Kanakans raised and herded sheep for clothing and food purposes. Although they tended toward smaller nomadic communities, they became excellent horse-mounted warriors in order to protect themselves as well as move to new areas for grazing and hunting purposes.

Family life
Kanakans hold the family as central to their lifestyle and culture. These traditions continue strong in the modern era. The opinions of elders in the family hold significant importance and younger members often seek out advice from their elders.

Vosqueros
Known for their horsemanship and animal husbandry, Kanakans did well with cattle ranches being established in Ventora's mid-north starting in the mid-1600s. As an adaptation of the Kanakan voskós (herdsman), the Ventorans called the horse-mounted herdsmen vosqueros which also has some basis in the word for cattle (vaca). The vosqueros carried with them a mystique based as much on their skill, prowess, and rough behavior as with their attachment to Kanakan culture.

Cattle farming in Ventora still relies heavily on the vosqueros even into the present day. The nature of the work serves to continue fostering a view of the vosqueros as a rough-and-tumble group but they are simply hard-working and tend to live relatively simple lifestyles. Outside of working the ranches, the redondeo sport draws many vosqueros to compete against each other. The sport has garnered a not insignificant following in north-central Ventora.

Falconry
The Kanakans have used falconry as a means of hunting for over 2,000 years. The use of raptors for sport and hunting was adapted by the nobility across Ventora but remains an important cultural aspect for the Kanakans. In Ventora, they are permitted unrestricted falconry hunting for personal and family sustenance while anyone else must have a falconry hunting license.

Geographic distribution
Most Kanakans have tended to remain in the West Alutran steppe region. The largest groups can be found in Ventora and !Avekhtem, with smaller groupings in Esharat, Velorenkya, and !South Avekhtem. With the rise of cattle ranching in Asidama, a number of vosqueros found their way there and the country still has a diaspora of Kanakans numbering around 10-20 thousand. A similar number also live in Watan today.