Shumi



The Shumi (シュミ, Shumi), or Shumi tribe, are a race of humanoid creatures in Final Fantasy VIII. Seemingly simple and artistic in nature they possess a unique technology that makes use of both man-made and bio-natural products. Their primary job, it seems, are as world merchants and project organizers and it is not uncommon to find a Shumi behind the funding of major organizations.

Biology and Evolution
The Shumi believe that during their lives they will "evolve" into different creatures:
 * Moomba: One of the most common forms that the Shumi may take. The Shumi hold Moombas in high regard, almost as they do Elders. While there appears to be only a single Moomba who stays in the Shumi Village, the Elder speaks of many Moombas, therefore hinting that Moombas do indeed come from the Village, and were once Shumi.
 * Elder: Another common form that the Shumi may take upon evolution. Elders appear greatly similar to the Shumi themselves, but are much taller, and grow facial features that resemble beards. There is one known Elder who resides and leads the Shumi Village, and his attendant may become an Elder someday. NORG himself appears to be a misshapen Elder.
 * Human: If you take the second sub-quest in the Shumi Village, the Shumi known as Artisan will tell your party that he would like to become a human, and migrate to Fisherman's Horizon where his friend Grease Monkey lives. It is not certain if Artisan manages to achieve this, and Artisan also admits in-game that no Shumi has attempted evolving into a human before.

Their forms are also based on their spirit and behavior, hence the obese form of the greedy NORG.

It is also possible that Shumi may be immortal - when NORG is defeated, he does not actually die, but becomes an egg that eventually hatches, hinting that the Shumi are constantly reincarnating.

Architecture and Technology
Native to the snow covered northern continent of Trabia the Shumi are the inhabitants of Shumi Village; a deceptively prosperous village located under the continent's mountain ranges. The sole above-ground structure; the outer-dome, is reminscent steam-punk design with cold bronzed metal and glass constructed in an alien saucer shape with large pipes portuding outward. However the underground village itself is in contrast; displaying green flora, fauna and ponds along walking paths dotted by small chromed huts that also follow the reminscens of steam-punk design. While the designs suggest a skill in metal smithing, key locations such as the Village Elevator and the inside decor of said huts suggest that the Shumi are well on par with the rest of the Final Fantasy VIII world in regards to modern technology. In addition to this, the unique addition of bio-natural items in their village architecture; most prodominantly seen in the bio-luminescent rocks that light the cavern (323 meters below sea level) that the village is within.

Culture
As their evolution depends greatly on their inherent attitude the Shumi are on average tolerant and humble pacifists of good nature. While proud of their skills as merchants and craftsmen they try not to boast about it to much; such is the trait of hiding their hands from public display as they believe that their hands, essential in crafting, are their greatest tool. For a Shumi to flaunt their hands about is seen as poor taste, while if a Shumi who normally doesn't show their hands, offers them to someone it is seen as a mark of respect to the person being offered; of course the higher in rank and humility that the Shumi is, the higher the respect paid becomes. Another notable trait is their tendency to refer to each other by their job discription instead of a given name. This may be another mark of humility.

In contrast, the Shumi known as NORG displays behaviour and actions that grossly contradict the Shumi Village culture; and as a result has grown retund to reflect his greedy and cowardly personality. It is unknown wether he has been cast out of the village all though he has been labled as a 'Black Sheep' of the tribe.