WikiFur - User contributions [en]

Kijani

2016-01-31T18:39:46Z

Kijani: /* Bio/Furry history */ updated

{{wikify}}
{{unref}}
'''Kijani''' ([[wikipedia:Swahili language|Swahili]] for "Warrior", born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently{{when}} living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], Kijani joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.
He was a [[guest of honor]] at [[Biggest Little Fur Con 2014]].<ref>[https://twitter.com/BiggestLittleFC/status/379649767334100992 Tweet] on the [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] account on [[Twitter]]. Dated September 16, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2014.</ref>

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the [[wikipedia:UNiversity of Washington|University of Washington]] in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a casino dealer after spending five years in the community newspaper industry as a sports writer and newspaper editor.

[[File:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the [[Furducers]] of Tempe, Arizona]]
[[File:Kijani_2.0.jpg|right|thumb|400px|The 2.0 version of Kijani, created by [[Beastcub Creations]], features 3-D "follow me" eyes, moveable jaw, a sewn-in tail and silicone pawpads]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 1,000 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is the Lead Organizer of [[Furlife]]: Pacific Northwest Furries and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of 19 conventions: [[RainFurrest]] 2008-2015; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012,[[Anthrocon]] 2010-2015, and [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] 2014-15.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani owns two fursuits: Kijani, (based off of his fursona), and Kato.

Kijani's first commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs. In August 2013, Kijani 2.0 was completed, created by [[Beastcub]] Creations. The new costume features 3-D "follow me" eyes, a sewn-in tail and moveable hinged jaw.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and [[digitigrade]] legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at [[Rainfurrest 2009|Rainfurrest in 2009]].

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[File:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 14,000 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 80,000 combined views, and a special short film series called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2yTzh6B8XQ Fursuiting: For the Kids - 4th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R55FOJAMl9o Fursuiting: For the Kids - 5th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hteIc9Zh_Rk Fursuiting: For the Kids - 6th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Na1GwK70Nqk Fursuiting: For the Kids - 7th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUudcrix_n0 Fursuiting: For the Kids - Convention edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7SaIpUEVTE The Magic of Fursuiting II]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at local community functions, charity events and parades. He has also hosted or co-hosted several panels at Rainfurrest and Biggest Little Fur Con on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

In August 2013, he founded [http://www.emeraldcitycritters.org Emerald City Critters], a nonprofit organization based in the Seattle, Washington area specializing in character performance for community and charity events, festivals and parades. Some of the events the Critters have attended include one of the state's largest festivals, Issaquah Salmon Days, and the Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[File:wfs13.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from When Furballs Strike 12, featuring a then-record 62 fursuiters and 194 total attendees. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of 22 WFS meets - held approximately every 3 months - with attendance rates steadily rising. The most recent one, When Furballs Strike 22 held on January 30, set the new world record for attendance at a furbowl meet with 271 attendees and over 100 fursuiters.

When Furballs Strike features a prize raffle that gives away hundreds of dollars in gifts to meet attendees, and an after-bowling dinner party at a local Old Country Buffet restaurant.

[http://www.whenfurballsstrike.net When Furballs Strike Website]

VIDEO:

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhcWcrB8bDY When Furballs Strike 19]

== Furry News Network ==

Putting his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism to good use, Kijani was also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

From 2011-2013, he contributed a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters and their contributions to the world of fursuiting, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of the fandom.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])
*[[JD_Puppy]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/04/j-d-puppy-april-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ April 2012])
*[[Coopertom]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/06/coopertom-june-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ June 2012])
*[[Matrices]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/08/matrices-august-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2012])
*[[Howee Husky]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/10/howee-husky-october-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2012])
*[[Oz Kangaroo]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/12/oz-kangaroo-december-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2012])
*[[Tycho Aussie]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/03/tycho-aussie-march-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ March 2013])
*[[jill0r]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/05/jill0r-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ May 2013])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

He owns one of the largest Lion King merchandise and memorabilia collections in the world, comprised of over 1,000 individual items.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7wRFm_ahBA Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of 18 times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled 10 perfect 300 games and one USBC-sanctioned 800 series, and has recorded a high league average of 219. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 130, with a high game of 177.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB0RSt2_7_E Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2013]

==References==
<references/>

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Biggest Little Fur Con guests of honor]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Kijani

2016-01-31T18:37:54Z

Kijani: /* Fursuiting Ambassador */ updated to current

{{wikify}}
{{unref}}
'''Kijani''' ([[wikipedia:Swahili language|Swahili]] for "Warrior", born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently{{when}} living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], Kijani joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.
He was a [[guest of honor]] at [[Biggest Little Fur Con 2014]].<ref>[https://twitter.com/BiggestLittleFC/status/379649767334100992 Tweet] on the [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] account on [[Twitter]]. Dated September 16, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2014.</ref>

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the [[wikipedia:UNiversity of Washington|University of Washington]] in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a casino dealer after spending five years in the community newspaper industry as a sports writer and newspaper editor.

[[File:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the [[Furducers]] of Tempe, Arizona]]
[[File:Kijani_2.0.jpg|right|thumb|400px|The 2.0 version of Kijani, created by [[Beastcub Creations]], features 3-D "follow me" eyes, moveable jaw, a sewn-in tail and silicone pawpads]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 1,000 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is the Lead Organizer of [[Furlife]]: Pacific Northwest Furries and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of 18 conventions: [[RainFurrest]] 2008-2014; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012,[[Anthrocon]] 2010-2014, and [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] 2014.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani owns two fursuits: Kijani, (based off of his fursona), and Kato.

Kijani's first commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs. In August 2013, Kijani 2.0 was completed, created by [[Beastcub]] Creations. The new costume features 3-D "follow me" eyes, a sewn-in tail and moveable hinged jaw.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and [[digitigrade]] legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at [[Rainfurrest 2009|Rainfurrest in 2009]].

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[File:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 14,000 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 80,000 combined views, and a special short film series called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2yTzh6B8XQ Fursuiting: For the Kids - 4th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R55FOJAMl9o Fursuiting: For the Kids - 5th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hteIc9Zh_Rk Fursuiting: For the Kids - 6th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Na1GwK70Nqk Fursuiting: For the Kids - 7th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUudcrix_n0 Fursuiting: For the Kids - Convention edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7SaIpUEVTE The Magic of Fursuiting II]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at local community functions, charity events and parades. He has also hosted or co-hosted several panels at Rainfurrest and Biggest Little Fur Con on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

In August 2013, he founded [http://www.emeraldcitycritters.org Emerald City Critters], a nonprofit organization based in the Seattle, Washington area specializing in character performance for community and charity events, festivals and parades. Some of the events the Critters have attended include one of the state's largest festivals, Issaquah Salmon Days, and the Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[File:wfs13.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from When Furballs Strike 12, featuring a then-record 62 fursuiters and 194 total attendees. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of 22 WFS meets - held approximately every 3 months - with attendance rates steadily rising. The most recent one, When Furballs Strike 22 held on January 30, set the new world record for attendance at a furbowl meet with 271 attendees and over 100 fursuiters.

When Furballs Strike features a prize raffle that gives away hundreds of dollars in gifts to meet attendees, and an after-bowling dinner party at a local Old Country Buffet restaurant.

[http://www.whenfurballsstrike.net When Furballs Strike Website]

VIDEO:

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhcWcrB8bDY When Furballs Strike 19]

== Furry News Network ==

Putting his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism to good use, Kijani was also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

From 2011-2013, he contributed a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters and their contributions to the world of fursuiting, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of the fandom.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])
*[[JD_Puppy]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/04/j-d-puppy-april-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ April 2012])
*[[Coopertom]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/06/coopertom-june-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ June 2012])
*[[Matrices]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/08/matrices-august-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2012])
*[[Howee Husky]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/10/howee-husky-october-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2012])
*[[Oz Kangaroo]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/12/oz-kangaroo-december-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2012])
*[[Tycho Aussie]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/03/tycho-aussie-march-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ March 2013])
*[[jill0r]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/05/jill0r-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ May 2013])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

He owns one of the largest Lion King merchandise and memorabilia collections in the world, comprised of over 1,000 individual items.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7wRFm_ahBA Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of 18 times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled 10 perfect 300 games and one USBC-sanctioned 800 series, and has recorded a high league average of 219. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 130, with a high game of 177.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB0RSt2_7_E Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2013]

==References==
<references/>

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Biggest Little Fur Con guests of honor]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Kijani

2016-01-31T18:35:54Z

Kijani: /* Bowling */

{{wikify}}
{{unref}}
'''Kijani''' ([[wikipedia:Swahili language|Swahili]] for "Warrior", born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently{{when}} living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], Kijani joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.
He was a [[guest of honor]] at [[Biggest Little Fur Con 2014]].<ref>[https://twitter.com/BiggestLittleFC/status/379649767334100992 Tweet] on the [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] account on [[Twitter]]. Dated September 16, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2014.</ref>

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the [[wikipedia:UNiversity of Washington|University of Washington]] in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a casino dealer after spending five years in the community newspaper industry as a sports writer and newspaper editor.

[[File:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the [[Furducers]] of Tempe, Arizona]]
[[File:Kijani_2.0.jpg|right|thumb|400px|The 2.0 version of Kijani, created by [[Beastcub Creations]], features 3-D "follow me" eyes, moveable jaw, a sewn-in tail and silicone pawpads]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 1,000 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is the Lead Organizer of [[Furlife]]: Pacific Northwest Furries and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of 18 conventions: [[RainFurrest]] 2008-2014; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012,[[Anthrocon]] 2010-2014, and [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] 2014.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani owns two fursuits: Kijani, (based off of his fursona), and Kato.

Kijani's first commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs. In August 2013, Kijani 2.0 was completed, created by [[Beastcub]] Creations. The new costume features 3-D "follow me" eyes, a sewn-in tail and moveable hinged jaw.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and [[digitigrade]] legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at [[Rainfurrest 2009|Rainfurrest in 2009]].

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[File:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 10,000 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 70,000 combined views, and a special short film series called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2yTzh6B8XQ Fursuiting: For the Kids - 4th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R55FOJAMl9o Fursuiting: For the Kids - 5th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hteIc9Zh_Rk Fursuiting: For the Kids - 6th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUudcrix_n0 Fursuiting: For the Kids - Convention edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7SaIpUEVTE The Magic of Fursuiting II]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at local community functions, charity events and parades. He has also hosted or co-hosted several panels at Rainfurrest and Biggest Little Fur Con on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

In August 2013, he founded [http://www.emeraldcitycritters.org Emerald City Critters], a nonprofit organization based in the Seattle, Washington area specializing in character performance for community and charity events, festivals and parades. Some of the events the Critters have attended include one of the state's largest festivals, Issaquah Salmon Days, and the Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[File:wfs13.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from When Furballs Strike 12, featuring a then-record 62 fursuiters and 194 total attendees. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of 22 WFS meets - held approximately every 3 months - with attendance rates steadily rising. The most recent one, When Furballs Strike 22 held on January 30, set the new world record for attendance at a furbowl meet with 271 attendees and over 100 fursuiters.

When Furballs Strike features a prize raffle that gives away hundreds of dollars in gifts to meet attendees, and an after-bowling dinner party at a local Old Country Buffet restaurant.

[http://www.whenfurballsstrike.net When Furballs Strike Website]

VIDEO:

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhcWcrB8bDY When Furballs Strike 19]

== Furry News Network ==

Putting his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism to good use, Kijani was also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

From 2011-2013, he contributed a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters and their contributions to the world of fursuiting, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of the fandom.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])
*[[JD_Puppy]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/04/j-d-puppy-april-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ April 2012])
*[[Coopertom]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/06/coopertom-june-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ June 2012])
*[[Matrices]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/08/matrices-august-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2012])
*[[Howee Husky]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/10/howee-husky-october-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2012])
*[[Oz Kangaroo]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/12/oz-kangaroo-december-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2012])
*[[Tycho Aussie]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/03/tycho-aussie-march-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ March 2013])
*[[jill0r]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/05/jill0r-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ May 2013])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

He owns one of the largest Lion King merchandise and memorabilia collections in the world, comprised of over 1,000 individual items.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7wRFm_ahBA Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of 18 times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled 10 perfect 300 games and one USBC-sanctioned 800 series, and has recorded a high league average of 219. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 130, with a high game of 177.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB0RSt2_7_E Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2013]

==References==
<references/>

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Biggest Little Fur Con guests of honor]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Kijani

2016-01-31T18:35:14Z

Kijani: /* Hobbies */

{{wikify}}
{{unref}}
'''Kijani''' ([[wikipedia:Swahili language|Swahili]] for "Warrior", born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently{{when}} living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], Kijani joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.
He was a [[guest of honor]] at [[Biggest Little Fur Con 2014]].<ref>[https://twitter.com/BiggestLittleFC/status/379649767334100992 Tweet] on the [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] account on [[Twitter]]. Dated September 16, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2014.</ref>

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the [[wikipedia:UNiversity of Washington|University of Washington]] in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a casino dealer after spending five years in the community newspaper industry as a sports writer and newspaper editor.

[[File:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the [[Furducers]] of Tempe, Arizona]]
[[File:Kijani_2.0.jpg|right|thumb|400px|The 2.0 version of Kijani, created by [[Beastcub Creations]], features 3-D "follow me" eyes, moveable jaw, a sewn-in tail and silicone pawpads]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 1,000 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is the Lead Organizer of [[Furlife]]: Pacific Northwest Furries and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of 18 conventions: [[RainFurrest]] 2008-2014; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012,[[Anthrocon]] 2010-2014, and [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] 2014.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani owns two fursuits: Kijani, (based off of his fursona), and Kato.

Kijani's first commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs. In August 2013, Kijani 2.0 was completed, created by [[Beastcub]] Creations. The new costume features 3-D "follow me" eyes, a sewn-in tail and moveable hinged jaw.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and [[digitigrade]] legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at [[Rainfurrest 2009|Rainfurrest in 2009]].

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[File:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 10,000 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 70,000 combined views, and a special short film series called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2yTzh6B8XQ Fursuiting: For the Kids - 4th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R55FOJAMl9o Fursuiting: For the Kids - 5th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hteIc9Zh_Rk Fursuiting: For the Kids - 6th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUudcrix_n0 Fursuiting: For the Kids - Convention edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7SaIpUEVTE The Magic of Fursuiting II]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at local community functions, charity events and parades. He has also hosted or co-hosted several panels at Rainfurrest and Biggest Little Fur Con on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

In August 2013, he founded [http://www.emeraldcitycritters.org Emerald City Critters], a nonprofit organization based in the Seattle, Washington area specializing in character performance for community and charity events, festivals and parades. Some of the events the Critters have attended include one of the state's largest festivals, Issaquah Salmon Days, and the Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[File:wfs13.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from When Furballs Strike 12, featuring a then-record 62 fursuiters and 194 total attendees. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of 22 WFS meets - held approximately every 3 months - with attendance rates steadily rising. The most recent one, When Furballs Strike 22 held on January 30, set the new world record for attendance at a furbowl meet with 271 attendees and over 100 fursuiters.

When Furballs Strike features a prize raffle that gives away hundreds of dollars in gifts to meet attendees, and an after-bowling dinner party at a local Old Country Buffet restaurant.

[http://www.whenfurballsstrike.net When Furballs Strike Website]

VIDEO:

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhcWcrB8bDY When Furballs Strike 19]

== Furry News Network ==

Putting his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism to good use, Kijani was also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

From 2011-2013, he contributed a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters and their contributions to the world of fursuiting, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of the fandom.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])
*[[JD_Puppy]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/04/j-d-puppy-april-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ April 2012])
*[[Coopertom]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/06/coopertom-june-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ June 2012])
*[[Matrices]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/08/matrices-august-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2012])
*[[Howee Husky]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/10/howee-husky-october-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2012])
*[[Oz Kangaroo]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/12/oz-kangaroo-december-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2012])
*[[Tycho Aussie]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/03/tycho-aussie-march-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ March 2013])
*[[jill0r]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/05/jill0r-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ May 2013])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

He owns one of the largest Lion King merchandise and memorabilia collections in the world, comprised of over 1,000 individual items.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7wRFm_ahBA Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of 18 times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled nine perfect 300 games and one USBC-sanctioned 800 series, and has recorded a high league average of 219. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 130, with a high game of 177.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB0RSt2_7_E Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2013]

==References==
<references/>

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Biggest Little Fur Con guests of honor]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Kijani

2016-01-31T18:33:05Z

Kijani: /* When Furballs Strike */ updated to current by page owner

{{wikify}}
{{unref}}
'''Kijani''' ([[wikipedia:Swahili language|Swahili]] for "Warrior", born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently{{when}} living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], Kijani joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.
He was a [[guest of honor]] at [[Biggest Little Fur Con 2014]].<ref>[https://twitter.com/BiggestLittleFC/status/379649767334100992 Tweet] on the [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] account on [[Twitter]]. Dated September 16, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2014.</ref>

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the [[wikipedia:UNiversity of Washington|University of Washington]] in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a casino dealer after spending five years in the community newspaper industry as a sports writer and newspaper editor.

[[File:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the [[Furducers]] of Tempe, Arizona]]
[[File:Kijani_2.0.jpg|right|thumb|400px|The 2.0 version of Kijani, created by [[Beastcub Creations]], features 3-D "follow me" eyes, moveable jaw, a sewn-in tail and silicone pawpads]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 1,000 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is the Lead Organizer of [[Furlife]]: Pacific Northwest Furries and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of 18 conventions: [[RainFurrest]] 2008-2014; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012,[[Anthrocon]] 2010-2014, and [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] 2014.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani owns two fursuits: Kijani, (based off of his fursona), and Kato.

Kijani's first commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs. In August 2013, Kijani 2.0 was completed, created by [[Beastcub]] Creations. The new costume features 3-D "follow me" eyes, a sewn-in tail and moveable hinged jaw.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and [[digitigrade]] legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at [[Rainfurrest 2009|Rainfurrest in 2009]].

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[File:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 10,000 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 70,000 combined views, and a special short film series called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2yTzh6B8XQ Fursuiting: For the Kids - 4th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R55FOJAMl9o Fursuiting: For the Kids - 5th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hteIc9Zh_Rk Fursuiting: For the Kids - 6th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUudcrix_n0 Fursuiting: For the Kids - Convention edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7SaIpUEVTE The Magic of Fursuiting II]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at local community functions, charity events and parades. He has also hosted or co-hosted several panels at Rainfurrest and Biggest Little Fur Con on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

In August 2013, he founded [http://www.emeraldcitycritters.org Emerald City Critters], a nonprofit organization based in the Seattle, Washington area specializing in character performance for community and charity events, festivals and parades. Some of the events the Critters have attended include one of the state's largest festivals, Issaquah Salmon Days, and the Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[File:wfs13.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from When Furballs Strike 12, featuring a then-record 62 fursuiters and 194 total attendees. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of 22 WFS meets - held approximately every 3 months - with attendance rates steadily rising. The most recent one, When Furballs Strike 22 held on January 30, set the new world record for attendance at a furbowl meet with 271 attendees and over 100 fursuiters.

When Furballs Strike features a prize raffle that gives away hundreds of dollars in gifts to meet attendees, and an after-bowling dinner party at a local Old Country Buffet restaurant.

[http://www.whenfurballsstrike.net When Furballs Strike Website]

VIDEO:

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhcWcrB8bDY When Furballs Strike 19]

== Furry News Network ==

Putting his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism to good use, Kijani was also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

From 2011-2013, he contributed a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters and their contributions to the world of fursuiting, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of the fandom.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])
*[[JD_Puppy]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/04/j-d-puppy-april-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ April 2012])
*[[Coopertom]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/06/coopertom-june-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ June 2012])
*[[Matrices]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/08/matrices-august-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2012])
*[[Howee Husky]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/10/howee-husky-october-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2012])
*[[Oz Kangaroo]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/12/oz-kangaroo-december-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2012])
*[[Tycho Aussie]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/03/tycho-aussie-march-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ March 2013])
*[[jill0r]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/05/jill0r-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ May 2013])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

He owns one of the largest Lion King merchandise and memorabilia collections in the world, comprised of over 1,000 individual items.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of 18 times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled nine perfect 300 games and one USBC-sanctioned 800 series, and has recorded a high league average of 219. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 130, with a high game of 177.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB0RSt2_7_E Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2013]

==References==
<references/>

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Biggest Little Fur Con guests of honor]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Kijani

2016-01-31T18:32:37Z

Kijani: /* When Furballs Strike */ updated to current by page owner

{{wikify}}
{{unref}}
'''Kijani''' ([[wikipedia:Swahili language|Swahili]] for "Warrior", born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently{{when}} living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], Kijani joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.
He was a [[guest of honor]] at [[Biggest Little Fur Con 2014]].<ref>[https://twitter.com/BiggestLittleFC/status/379649767334100992 Tweet] on the [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] account on [[Twitter]]. Dated September 16, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2014.</ref>

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the [[wikipedia:UNiversity of Washington|University of Washington]] in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a casino dealer after spending five years in the community newspaper industry as a sports writer and newspaper editor.

[[File:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the [[Furducers]] of Tempe, Arizona]]
[[File:Kijani_2.0.jpg|right|thumb|400px|The 2.0 version of Kijani, created by [[Beastcub Creations]], features 3-D "follow me" eyes, moveable jaw, a sewn-in tail and silicone pawpads]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 1,000 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is the Lead Organizer of [[Furlife]]: Pacific Northwest Furries and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of 18 conventions: [[RainFurrest]] 2008-2014; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012,[[Anthrocon]] 2010-2014, and [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] 2014.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani owns two fursuits: Kijani, (based off of his fursona), and Kato.

Kijani's first commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs. In August 2013, Kijani 2.0 was completed, created by [[Beastcub]] Creations. The new costume features 3-D "follow me" eyes, a sewn-in tail and moveable hinged jaw.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and [[digitigrade]] legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at [[Rainfurrest 2009|Rainfurrest in 2009]].

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[File:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 10,000 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 70,000 combined views, and a special short film series called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2yTzh6B8XQ Fursuiting: For the Kids - 4th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R55FOJAMl9o Fursuiting: For the Kids - 5th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hteIc9Zh_Rk Fursuiting: For the Kids - 6th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUudcrix_n0 Fursuiting: For the Kids - Convention edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7SaIpUEVTE The Magic of Fursuiting II]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at local community functions, charity events and parades. He has also hosted or co-hosted several panels at Rainfurrest and Biggest Little Fur Con on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

In August 2013, he founded [http://www.emeraldcitycritters.org Emerald City Critters], a nonprofit organization based in the Seattle, Washington area specializing in character performance for community and charity events, festivals and parades. Some of the events the Critters have attended include one of the state's largest festivals, Issaquah Salmon Days, and the Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[File:wfs13.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from When Furballs Strike 12, featuring a then-record 62 fursuiters and 194 total attendees. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of 22 WFS meets - held approximately every 3 months - with attendance rates steadily rising. The most recent one, When Furballs Strike 22 held on January 30, set the new world record for attendance at a furbowl meet with 271 attendees and over 100 fursuiters.

When Furballs Strike features a prize raffle that gives away hundreds of dollars in gifts to meet attendees, and an after-bowling dinner party at a local Old Country Buffet restaurant.

[http://www.whenfurballsstrike.org When Furballs Strike Website]

VIDEO:

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhcWcrB8bDY When Furballs Strike 19]

== Furry News Network ==

Putting his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism to good use, Kijani was also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

From 2011-2013, he contributed a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters and their contributions to the world of fursuiting, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of the fandom.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])
*[[JD_Puppy]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/04/j-d-puppy-april-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ April 2012])
*[[Coopertom]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/06/coopertom-june-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ June 2012])
*[[Matrices]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/08/matrices-august-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2012])
*[[Howee Husky]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/10/howee-husky-october-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2012])
*[[Oz Kangaroo]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/12/oz-kangaroo-december-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2012])
*[[Tycho Aussie]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/03/tycho-aussie-march-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ March 2013])
*[[jill0r]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/05/jill0r-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ May 2013])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

He owns one of the largest Lion King merchandise and memorabilia collections in the world, comprised of over 1,000 individual items.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of 18 times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled nine perfect 300 games and one USBC-sanctioned 800 series, and has recorded a high league average of 219. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 130, with a high game of 177.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB0RSt2_7_E Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2013]

==References==
<references/>

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Biggest Little Fur Con guests of honor]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Furlife

2016-01-31T18:28:22Z

Kijani: /* When Furballs Strike! */

: ''This page is about a furry community. For the webring by the same name, see [[Furlife webring]].''

'''Furlife''' is a [[wikipedia:Meetup_(website)|Meetup]] group based out of [[wikipedia:Seattle|Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.]] and was founded on Jun 8, 2007 by [[Michael J. Fox]]. In 2015, [[Kijani]] became a co-lead Organizer and took over the financial responsibilities for the Meetup group.<ref>[http://www.meetup.com/furlife/members/?op=leaders Furlife Leadership Team].</ref> As of January 2016, FurLife has over 1,900 registered members from the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

==About==
Furlife mostly organizes local events around the [[wikipedia:Seattle_metropolitan_area|Seattle area]], but has also seen events in other parts and even outside of Washington State. Unlike meets such as [[Bellfurs]] or other events in the area which use mostly advertisement by word-of-mouth, Furlife bases its events off of scheduled and planned meets using their meetup website. Any registered member can create a meetup, or RSVP for current ones already scheduled. The website also offers a message board and mailing list to plan or talk about future events, current events, carpooling, or anything that is relevant (or not) to the group.

The two largest events hosted by the group includes ''When Furballs Strike'' and the Anniversary barbecue, with over 100 local and non-local [[furry|furries]] attending.

===When Furballs Strike!===
''When Furballs Strike'' is an extremely large fursuit-friendly bowling event organized by [[Kijani]]. It is generally planned every 3 months at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, offering several hours of bowling for furry fans and [[fursuiter|fursuiters]] alike. ''When Furballs Strike 22'' currently holds the world record for most furries attending a bowling meet at 271.<ref>[http://www.meetup.com/furlife/events/226975782/ ''When Furballs Strike 22'' events page].</ref>

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
*[http://www.meetup.com/furlife Furlife] Official group at Meetup
*[http://www.furaffinity.net/user/furlife Furlife] at [[Fur Affinity]]

{{Washington State}}

[[Category:Regional groups]]
[[Category:Washington]]

Furlife

2016-01-31T18:26:27Z

Kijani: Updated to current by FurLife Lead Organizer

: ''This page is about a furry community. For the webring by the same name, see [[Furlife webring]].''

'''Furlife''' is a [[wikipedia:Meetup_(website)|Meetup]] group based out of [[wikipedia:Seattle|Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.]] and was founded on Jun 8, 2007 by [[Michael J. Fox]]. In 2015, [[Kijani]] became a co-lead Organizer and took over the financial responsibilities for the Meetup group.<ref>[http://www.meetup.com/furlife/members/?op=leaders Furlife Leadership Team].</ref> As of January 2016, FurLife has over 1,900 registered members from the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

==About==
Furlife mostly organizes local events around the [[wikipedia:Seattle_metropolitan_area|Seattle area]], but has also seen events in other parts and even outside of Washington State. Unlike meets such as [[Bellfurs]] or other events in the area which use mostly advertisement by word-of-mouth, Furlife bases its events off of scheduled and planned meets using their meetup website. Any registered member can create a meetup, or RSVP for current ones already scheduled. The website also offers a message board and mailing list to plan or talk about future events, current events, carpooling, or anything that is relevant (or not) to the group.

The two largest events hosted by the group includes ''When Furballs Strike'' and the Anniversary barbecue, with over 100 local and non-local [[furry|furries]] attending.

===When Furballs Strike!===
''When Furballs Strike'' is a bowling event and the largest event organized by [[Kijani]]. It is generally planned every 3 months, offering several hours of bowling for furry fans and [[fursuiter|fursuiters]] alike. ''When Furballs Strike 22'' currently holds the world record for most furries attending a bowling meet at 271.<ref>[http://www.meetup.com/furlife/events/226975782/ ''When Furballs Strike 22'' events page].</ref>

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
*[http://www.meetup.com/furlife Furlife] Official group at Meetup
*[http://www.furaffinity.net/user/furlife Furlife] at [[Fur Affinity]]

{{Washington State}}

[[Category:Regional groups]]
[[Category:Washington]]

Furlife

2016-01-31T18:25:25Z

Kijani: Updated to current by FurLife Lead Organizer

: ''This page is about a furry community. For the webring by the same name, see [[Furlife webring]].''

'''Furlife''' is a [[wikipedia:Meetup_(website)|Meetup]] group based out of [[wikipedia:Seattle|Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.]] and was founded on Jun 8, 2007 by [[Michael J. Fox]]. In 2015, [[Kijani]] became a co-lead Organizer and took over the financial responsibilities for the Meetup group.<ref>[http://www.meetup.com/furlife/members/?op=leaders Furlife Leadership Team]</ref?> As of January 2016, FurLife has over 1,900 registered members from the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

==About==
Furlife mostly organizes local events around the [[wikipedia:Seattle_metropolitan_area|Seattle area]], but has also seen events in other parts and even outside of Washington State. Unlike meets such as [[Bellfurs]] or other events in the area which use mostly advertisement by word-of-mouth, Furlife bases its events off of scheduled and planned meets using their meetup website. Any registered member can create a meetup, or RSVP for current ones already scheduled. The website also offers a message board and mailing list to plan or talk about future events, current events, carpooling, or anything that is relevant (or not) to the group.

The two largest events hosted by the group includes ''When Furballs Strike'' and the Anniversary barbecue, with over 100 local and non-local [[furry|furries]] attending.

===When Furballs Strike!===
''When Furballs Strike'' is a bowling event and the largest event organized by [[Kijani]]. It is generally planned every 3 months, offering several hours of bowling for furry fans and [[fursuiter|fursuiters]] alike. ''When Furballs Strike 22'' currently holds the world record for most furries attending a bowling meet at 271.<ref>[http://www.meetup.com/furlife/events/226975782/ ''When Furballs Strike 22'' events page].</ref>

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
*[http://www.meetup.com/furlife Furlife] Official group at Meetup
*[http://www.furaffinity.net/user/furlife Furlife] at [[Fur Affinity]]

{{Washington State}}

[[Category:Regional groups]]
[[Category:Washington]]

Furlife

2016-01-31T18:24:17Z

Kijani: Updated to current by FurLife Lead Organizer

: ''This page is about a furry community. For the webring by the same name, see [[Furlife webring]].''

'''Furlife''' is a [[wikipedia:Meetup_(website)|Meetup]] group based out of [[wikipedia:Seattle|Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.]] and was founded on Jun 8, 2007 by [[Michael J. Fox]]. In 2015, [[Kijani]] became a co-lead Organizer and took over the financial responsibilities for the Meetup group.<ref>[http://www.meetup.com/furlife/members/?op=leaders Furlife Leadership Team]. As of January 2016, FurLife has over 1,900 registered members from the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

==About==
Furlife mostly organizes local events around the [[wikipedia:Seattle_metropolitan_area|Seattle area]], but has also seen events in other parts and even outside of Washington State. Unlike meets such as [[Bellfurs]] or other events in the area which use mostly advertisement by word-of-mouth, Furlife bases its events off of scheduled and planned meets using their meetup website. Any registered member can create a meetup, or RSVP for current ones already scheduled. The website also offers a message board and mailing list to plan or talk about future events, current events, carpooling, or anything that is relevant (or not) to the group.

The two largest events hosted by the group includes ''When Furballs Strike'' and the Anniversary barbecue, with over 100 local and non-local [[furry|furries]] attending.

===When Furballs Strike!===
''When Furballs Strike'' is a bowling event and the largest event organized by [[Kijani]]. It is generally planned every 3 months, offering several hours of bowling for furry fans and [[fursuiter|fursuiters]] alike. ''When Furballs Strike 22'' currently holds the world record for most furries attending a bowling meet at 271.<ref>[http://www.meetup.com/furlife/events/226975782/ ''When Furballs Strike 22'' events page].</ref>

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
*[http://www.meetup.com/furlife Furlife] Official group at Meetup
*[http://www.furaffinity.net/user/furlife Furlife] at [[Fur Affinity]]

{{Washington State}}

[[Category:Regional groups]]
[[Category:Washington]]

Kijani

2015-04-03T03:36:20Z

Kijani: /* Hobbies */

{{wikify}}
{{unref}}
'''Kijani''' ([[wikipedia:Swahili language|Swahili]] for "Warrior", born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently{{when}} living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], Kijani joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.
He was a [[guest of honor]] at [[Biggest Little Fur Con 2014]].<ref>[https://twitter.com/BiggestLittleFC/status/379649767334100992 Tweet] on the [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] account on [[Twitter]]. Dated September 16, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2014.</ref>

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the [[wikipedia:UNiversity of Washington|University of Washington]] in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a casino dealer after spending five years in the community newspaper industry as a sports writer and newspaper editor.

[[File:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the [[Furducers]] of Tempe, Arizona]]
[[File:Kijani_2.0.jpg|right|thumb|400px|The 2.0 version of Kijani, created by [[Beastcub Creations]], features 3-D "follow me" eyes, moveable jaw, a sewn-in tail and silicone pawpads]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 1,000 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is the Lead Organizer of [[Furlife]]: Pacific Northwest Furries and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of 18 conventions: [[RainFurrest]] 2008-2014; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012,[[Anthrocon]] 2010-2014, and [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] 2014.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani owns two fursuits: Kijani, (based off of his fursona), and Kato.

Kijani's first commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs. In August 2013, Kijani 2.0 was completed, created by [[Beastcub]] Creations. The new costume features 3-D "follow me" eyes, a sewn-in tail and moveable hinged jaw.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and [[digitigrade]] legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at [[Rainfurrest 2009|Rainfurrest in 2009]].

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[File:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 10,000 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 70,000 combined views, and a special short film series called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2yTzh6B8XQ Fursuiting: For the Kids - 4th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R55FOJAMl9o Fursuiting: For the Kids - 5th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hteIc9Zh_Rk Fursuiting: For the Kids - 6th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUudcrix_n0 Fursuiting: For the Kids - Convention edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7SaIpUEVTE The Magic of Fursuiting II]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at local community functions, charity events and parades. He has also hosted or co-hosted several panels at Rainfurrest and Biggest Little Fur Con on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

In August 2013, he founded [http://www.emeraldcitycritters.org Emerald City Critters], a nonprofit organization based in the Seattle, Washington area specializing in character performance for community and charity events, festivals and parades. Some of the events the Critters have attended include one of the state's largest festivals, Issaquah Salmon Days, and the Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[File:wfs13.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from When Furballs Strike 12, featuring a then-record 62 fursuiters and 194 total attendees. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of 19 WFS meets - held approximately every 3 months - with attendance rates steadily rising. When Furballs Strike 19, held on March 23, 2015, had 236 attendees and 89 fursuiters from all over Western Washington as well as some guests that drove hundreds of miles from Canada, Oregon and Idaho. The meet set a new world record for highest attendance at a furry bowling meet, eclipsing Delaware Furbowl 47's record of 215.

When Furballs Strike features a prize raffle that gives away hundreds of dollars in gifts to meet attendees, and an after-bowling dinner party at a local Old Country Buffet restaurant.

VIDEO:

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhcWcrB8bDY When Furballs Strike 19]

== Furry News Network ==

Putting his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism to good use, Kijani is also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

From 2011-2013, he contributed a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters and their contributions to the world of fursuiting, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of the fandom.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])
*[[JD_Puppy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/04/j-d-puppy-april-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ April 2012])
*[[Coopertom]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/06/coopertom-june-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ June 2012])
*[[Matrices]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/08/matrices-august-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2012])
*[[Howee Husky]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/10/howee-husky-october-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2012])
*[[Oz Kangaroo]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/12/oz-kangaroo-december-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2012])
*[[Tycho Aussie]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/03/tycho-aussie-march-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ March 2013])
*[[jill0r]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/05/jill0r-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ May 2013])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

He owns one of the largest Lion King merchandise and memorabilia collections in the world, comprised of over 1,000 individual items.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of 18 times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled nine perfect 300 games and one USBC-sanctioned 800 series, and has recorded a high league average of 219. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 130, with a high game of 177.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB0RSt2_7_E Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2013]

==References==
<references/>

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Biggest Little Fur Con guests of honor]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Kijani

2015-04-03T03:35:43Z

Kijani: /* Furry News Network */ updated

{{wikify}}
{{unref}}
'''Kijani''' ([[wikipedia:Swahili language|Swahili]] for "Warrior", born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently{{when}} living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], Kijani joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.
He was a [[guest of honor]] at [[Biggest Little Fur Con 2014]].<ref>[https://twitter.com/BiggestLittleFC/status/379649767334100992 Tweet] on the [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] account on [[Twitter]]. Dated September 16, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2014.</ref>

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the [[wikipedia:UNiversity of Washington|University of Washington]] in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a casino dealer after spending five years in the community newspaper industry as a sports writer and newspaper editor.

[[File:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the [[Furducers]] of Tempe, Arizona]]
[[File:Kijani_2.0.jpg|right|thumb|400px|The 2.0 version of Kijani, created by [[Beastcub Creations]], features 3-D "follow me" eyes, moveable jaw, a sewn-in tail and silicone pawpads]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 1,000 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is the Lead Organizer of [[Furlife]]: Pacific Northwest Furries and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of 18 conventions: [[RainFurrest]] 2008-2014; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012,[[Anthrocon]] 2010-2014, and [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] 2014.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani owns two fursuits: Kijani, (based off of his fursona), and Kato.

Kijani's first commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs. In August 2013, Kijani 2.0 was completed, created by [[Beastcub]] Creations. The new costume features 3-D "follow me" eyes, a sewn-in tail and moveable hinged jaw.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and [[digitigrade]] legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at [[Rainfurrest 2009|Rainfurrest in 2009]].

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[File:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 10,000 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 70,000 combined views, and a special short film series called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2yTzh6B8XQ Fursuiting: For the Kids - 4th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R55FOJAMl9o Fursuiting: For the Kids - 5th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hteIc9Zh_Rk Fursuiting: For the Kids - 6th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUudcrix_n0 Fursuiting: For the Kids - Convention edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7SaIpUEVTE The Magic of Fursuiting II]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at local community functions, charity events and parades. He has also hosted or co-hosted several panels at Rainfurrest and Biggest Little Fur Con on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

In August 2013, he founded [http://www.emeraldcitycritters.org Emerald City Critters], a nonprofit organization based in the Seattle, Washington area specializing in character performance for community and charity events, festivals and parades. Some of the events the Critters have attended include one of the state's largest festivals, Issaquah Salmon Days, and the Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[File:wfs13.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from When Furballs Strike 12, featuring a then-record 62 fursuiters and 194 total attendees. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of 19 WFS meets - held approximately every 3 months - with attendance rates steadily rising. When Furballs Strike 19, held on March 23, 2015, had 236 attendees and 89 fursuiters from all over Western Washington as well as some guests that drove hundreds of miles from Canada, Oregon and Idaho. The meet set a new world record for highest attendance at a furry bowling meet, eclipsing Delaware Furbowl 47's record of 215.

When Furballs Strike features a prize raffle that gives away hundreds of dollars in gifts to meet attendees, and an after-bowling dinner party at a local Old Country Buffet restaurant.

VIDEO:

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhcWcrB8bDY When Furballs Strike 19]

== Furry News Network ==

Putting his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism to good use, Kijani is also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

From 2011-2013, he contributed a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters and their contributions to the world of fursuiting, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of the fandom.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])
*[[JD_Puppy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/04/j-d-puppy-april-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ April 2012])
*[[Coopertom]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/06/coopertom-june-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ June 2012])
*[[Matrices]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/08/matrices-august-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2012])
*[[Howee Husky]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/10/howee-husky-october-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2012])
*[[Oz Kangaroo]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/12/oz-kangaroo-december-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2012])
*[[Tycho Aussie]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/03/tycho-aussie-march-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ March 2013])
*[[jill0r]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/05/jill0r-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ May 2013])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

He owns one of the largest Lion King merchandise and memorabilia collections in the world, comprised of over 1,000 individual items.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of 16 times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled nine perfect 300 games and one USBC-sanctioned 800 series, and has recorded a high league average of 219. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 130, with a high game of 177.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB0RSt2_7_E Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2013]

==References==
<references/>

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Biggest Little Fur Con guests of honor]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Kijani

2015-04-03T03:34:21Z

Kijani: /* Bio/Furry history */ updated to current information

{{wikify}}
{{unref}}
'''Kijani''' ([[wikipedia:Swahili language|Swahili]] for "Warrior", born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently{{when}} living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], Kijani joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.
He was a [[guest of honor]] at [[Biggest Little Fur Con 2014]].<ref>[https://twitter.com/BiggestLittleFC/status/379649767334100992 Tweet] on the [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] account on [[Twitter]]. Dated September 16, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2014.</ref>

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the [[wikipedia:UNiversity of Washington|University of Washington]] in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a casino dealer after spending five years in the community newspaper industry as a sports writer and newspaper editor.

[[File:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the [[Furducers]] of Tempe, Arizona]]
[[File:Kijani_2.0.jpg|right|thumb|400px|The 2.0 version of Kijani, created by [[Beastcub Creations]], features 3-D "follow me" eyes, moveable jaw, a sewn-in tail and silicone pawpads]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 1,000 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is the Lead Organizer of [[Furlife]]: Pacific Northwest Furries and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of 18 conventions: [[RainFurrest]] 2008-2014; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012,[[Anthrocon]] 2010-2014, and [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] 2014.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani owns two fursuits: Kijani, (based off of his fursona), and Kato.

Kijani's first commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs. In August 2013, Kijani 2.0 was completed, created by [[Beastcub]] Creations. The new costume features 3-D "follow me" eyes, a sewn-in tail and moveable hinged jaw.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and [[digitigrade]] legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at [[Rainfurrest 2009|Rainfurrest in 2009]].

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[File:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 10,000 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 70,000 combined views, and a special short film series called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2yTzh6B8XQ Fursuiting: For the Kids - 4th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R55FOJAMl9o Fursuiting: For the Kids - 5th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hteIc9Zh_Rk Fursuiting: For the Kids - 6th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUudcrix_n0 Fursuiting: For the Kids - Convention edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7SaIpUEVTE The Magic of Fursuiting II]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at local community functions, charity events and parades. He has also hosted or co-hosted several panels at Rainfurrest and Biggest Little Fur Con on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

In August 2013, he founded [http://www.emeraldcitycritters.org Emerald City Critters], a nonprofit organization based in the Seattle, Washington area specializing in character performance for community and charity events, festivals and parades. Some of the events the Critters have attended include one of the state's largest festivals, Issaquah Salmon Days, and the Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[File:wfs13.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from When Furballs Strike 12, featuring a then-record 62 fursuiters and 194 total attendees. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of 19 WFS meets - held approximately every 3 months - with attendance rates steadily rising. When Furballs Strike 19, held on March 23, 2015, had 236 attendees and 89 fursuiters from all over Western Washington as well as some guests that drove hundreds of miles from Canada, Oregon and Idaho. The meet set a new world record for highest attendance at a furry bowling meet, eclipsing Delaware Furbowl 47's record of 215.

When Furballs Strike features a prize raffle that gives away hundreds of dollars in gifts to meet attendees, and an after-bowling dinner party at a local Old Country Buffet restaurant.

VIDEO:

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhcWcrB8bDY When Furballs Strike 19]

== Furry News Network ==

Putting his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism to good use, Kijani is also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

He contributes a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters and their contributions to the world of fursuiting, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of the fandom.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])
*[[JD_Puppy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/04/j-d-puppy-april-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ April 2012])
*[[Coopertom]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/06/coopertom-june-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ June 2012])
*[[Matrices]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/08/matrices-august-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2012])
*[[Howee Husky]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/10/howee-husky-october-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2012])
*[[Oz Kangaroo]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/12/oz-kangaroo-december-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2012])
*[[Tycho Aussie]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/03/tycho-aussie-march-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ March 2013])
*[[jill0r]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/05/jill0r-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ May 2013])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

He owns one of the largest Lion King merchandise and memorabilia collections in the world, comprised of over 1,000 individual items.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of 16 times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled nine perfect 300 games and one USBC-sanctioned 800 series, and has recorded a high league average of 219. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 130, with a high game of 177.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB0RSt2_7_E Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2013]

==References==
<references/>

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Biggest Little Fur Con guests of honor]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Kijani

2015-04-03T03:31:51Z

Kijani: /* Fursuiting Ambassador */ Updated with current links and information

{{wikify}}
{{unref}}
'''Kijani''' ([[wikipedia:Swahili language|Swahili]] for "Warrior", born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently{{when}} living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], Kijani joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.
He was a [[guest of honor]] at [[Biggest Little Fur Con 2014]].<ref>[https://twitter.com/BiggestLittleFC/status/379649767334100992 Tweet] on the [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] account on [[Twitter]]. Dated September 16, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2014.</ref>

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the [[wikipedia:UNiversity of Washington|University of Washington]] in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a casino dealer after spending five years in the community newspaper industry as a sports writer and newspaper editor.

[[File:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the [[Furducers]] of Tempe, Arizona]]
[[File:Kijani_2.0.jpg|right|thumb|400px|The 2.0 version of Kijani, created by [[Beastcub Creations]], features 3-D "follow me" eyes, moveable jaw, a sewn-in tail and silicone pawpads]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 1,000 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is an active member of [[Furlife]] and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of 14 conventions: [[RainFurrest]] 2008-2013; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012,[[Anthrocon]] 2010-2013, and [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] 2014.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani owns two fursuits: Kijani, (based off of his fursona), and Kato.

Kijani's first commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs. In August 2013, Kijani 2.0 was completed, created by [[Beastcub]] Creations. The new costume features 3-D "follow me" eyes, a sewn-in tail and moveable hinged jaw.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and [[digitigrade]] legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at [[Rainfurrest 2009|Rainfurrest in 2009]].

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[File:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 10,000 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 70,000 combined views, and a special short film series called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2yTzh6B8XQ Fursuiting: For the Kids - 4th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R55FOJAMl9o Fursuiting: For the Kids - 5th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hteIc9Zh_Rk Fursuiting: For the Kids - 6th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUudcrix_n0 Fursuiting: For the Kids - Convention edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7SaIpUEVTE The Magic of Fursuiting II]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at local community functions, charity events and parades. He has also hosted or co-hosted several panels at Rainfurrest and Biggest Little Fur Con on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

In August 2013, he founded [http://www.emeraldcitycritters.org Emerald City Critters], a nonprofit organization based in the Seattle, Washington area specializing in character performance for community and charity events, festivals and parades. Some of the events the Critters have attended include one of the state's largest festivals, Issaquah Salmon Days, and the Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[File:wfs13.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from When Furballs Strike 12, featuring a then-record 62 fursuiters and 194 total attendees. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of 19 WFS meets - held approximately every 3 months - with attendance rates steadily rising. When Furballs Strike 19, held on March 23, 2015, had 236 attendees and 89 fursuiters from all over Western Washington as well as some guests that drove hundreds of miles from Canada, Oregon and Idaho. The meet set a new world record for highest attendance at a furry bowling meet, eclipsing Delaware Furbowl 47's record of 215.

When Furballs Strike features a prize raffle that gives away hundreds of dollars in gifts to meet attendees, and an after-bowling dinner party at a local Old Country Buffet restaurant.

VIDEO:

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhcWcrB8bDY When Furballs Strike 19]

== Furry News Network ==

Putting his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism to good use, Kijani is also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

He contributes a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters and their contributions to the world of fursuiting, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of the fandom.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])
*[[JD_Puppy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/04/j-d-puppy-april-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ April 2012])
*[[Coopertom]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/06/coopertom-june-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ June 2012])
*[[Matrices]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/08/matrices-august-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2012])
*[[Howee Husky]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/10/howee-husky-october-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2012])
*[[Oz Kangaroo]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/12/oz-kangaroo-december-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2012])
*[[Tycho Aussie]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/03/tycho-aussie-march-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ March 2013])
*[[jill0r]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/05/jill0r-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ May 2013])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

He owns one of the largest Lion King merchandise and memorabilia collections in the world, comprised of over 1,000 individual items.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of 16 times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled nine perfect 300 games and one USBC-sanctioned 800 series, and has recorded a high league average of 219. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 130, with a high game of 177.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB0RSt2_7_E Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2013]

==References==
<references/>

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Biggest Little Fur Con guests of honor]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Kijani

2015-04-03T03:28:09Z

Kijani: /* Bowling */

{{wikify}}
{{unref}}
'''Kijani''' ([[wikipedia:Swahili language|Swahili]] for "Warrior", born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently{{when}} living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], Kijani joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.
He was a [[guest of honor]] at [[Biggest Little Fur Con 2014]].<ref>[https://twitter.com/BiggestLittleFC/status/379649767334100992 Tweet] on the [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] account on [[Twitter]]. Dated September 16, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2014.</ref>

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the [[wikipedia:UNiversity of Washington|University of Washington]] in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a casino dealer after spending five years in the community newspaper industry as a sports writer and newspaper editor.

[[File:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the [[Furducers]] of Tempe, Arizona]]
[[File:Kijani_2.0.jpg|right|thumb|400px|The 2.0 version of Kijani, created by [[Beastcub Creations]], features 3-D "follow me" eyes, moveable jaw, a sewn-in tail and silicone pawpads]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 1,000 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is an active member of [[Furlife]] and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of 14 conventions: [[RainFurrest]] 2008-2013; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012,[[Anthrocon]] 2010-2013, and [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] 2014.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani owns two fursuits: Kijani, (based off of his fursona), and Kato.

Kijani's first commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs. In August 2013, Kijani 2.0 was completed, created by [[Beastcub]] Creations. The new costume features 3-D "follow me" eyes, a sewn-in tail and moveable hinged jaw.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and [[digitigrade]] legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at [[Rainfurrest 2009|Rainfurrest in 2009]].

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[File:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 7,000 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 50,000 combined views, and a special short film series called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2yTzh6B8XQ Fursuiting: For the Kids - 4th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R55FOJAMl9o Fursuiting: For the Kids - 5th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUudcrix_n0 Fursuiting: For the Kids - Convention edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7SaIpUEVTE The Magic of Fursuiting II]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at local community functions, charity events and parades. He has also hosted or co-hosted several panels at Rainfurrest and Biggest Little Fur Con on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

In August 2013, he founded [http://www.emeraldcitycritters.org Emerald City Critters], a nonprofit organization based in the Seattle, Washington area specializing in character performance for community and charity events, festivals and parades. Some of the events the Critters have attended include one of the state's largest festivals, Issaquah Salmon Days, and the Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[File:wfs13.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from When Furballs Strike 12, featuring a then-record 62 fursuiters and 194 total attendees. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of 19 WFS meets - held approximately every 3 months - with attendance rates steadily rising. When Furballs Strike 19, held on March 23, 2015, had 236 attendees and 89 fursuiters from all over Western Washington as well as some guests that drove hundreds of miles from Canada, Oregon and Idaho. The meet set a new world record for highest attendance at a furry bowling meet, eclipsing Delaware Furbowl 47's record of 215.

When Furballs Strike features a prize raffle that gives away hundreds of dollars in gifts to meet attendees, and an after-bowling dinner party at a local Old Country Buffet restaurant.

VIDEO:

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhcWcrB8bDY When Furballs Strike 19]

== Furry News Network ==

Putting his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism to good use, Kijani is also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

He contributes a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters and their contributions to the world of fursuiting, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of the fandom.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])
*[[JD_Puppy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/04/j-d-puppy-april-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ April 2012])
*[[Coopertom]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/06/coopertom-june-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ June 2012])
*[[Matrices]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/08/matrices-august-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2012])
*[[Howee Husky]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/10/howee-husky-october-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2012])
*[[Oz Kangaroo]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/12/oz-kangaroo-december-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2012])
*[[Tycho Aussie]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/03/tycho-aussie-march-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ March 2013])
*[[jill0r]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/05/jill0r-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ May 2013])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

He owns one of the largest Lion King merchandise and memorabilia collections in the world, comprised of over 1,000 individual items.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of 16 times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled nine perfect 300 games and one USBC-sanctioned 800 series, and has recorded a high league average of 219. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 130, with a high game of 177.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB0RSt2_7_E Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2013]

==References==
<references/>

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Biggest Little Fur Con guests of honor]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Kijani

2015-04-03T03:26:17Z

Kijani: /* When Furballs Strike */ Updated with most current information

{{wikify}}
{{unref}}
'''Kijani''' ([[wikipedia:Swahili language|Swahili]] for "Warrior", born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently{{when}} living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], Kijani joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.
He was a [[guest of honor]] at [[Biggest Little Fur Con 2014]].<ref>[https://twitter.com/BiggestLittleFC/status/379649767334100992 Tweet] on the [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] account on [[Twitter]]. Dated September 16, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2014.</ref>

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the [[wikipedia:UNiversity of Washington|University of Washington]] in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a casino dealer after spending five years in the community newspaper industry as a sports writer and newspaper editor.

[[File:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the [[Furducers]] of Tempe, Arizona]]
[[File:Kijani_2.0.jpg|right|thumb|400px|The 2.0 version of Kijani, created by [[Beastcub Creations]], features 3-D "follow me" eyes, moveable jaw, a sewn-in tail and silicone pawpads]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 1,000 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is an active member of [[Furlife]] and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of 14 conventions: [[RainFurrest]] 2008-2013; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012,[[Anthrocon]] 2010-2013, and [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] 2014.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani owns two fursuits: Kijani, (based off of his fursona), and Kato.

Kijani's first commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs. In August 2013, Kijani 2.0 was completed, created by [[Beastcub]] Creations. The new costume features 3-D "follow me" eyes, a sewn-in tail and moveable hinged jaw.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and [[digitigrade]] legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at [[Rainfurrest 2009|Rainfurrest in 2009]].

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[File:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 7,000 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 50,000 combined views, and a special short film series called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2yTzh6B8XQ Fursuiting: For the Kids - 4th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R55FOJAMl9o Fursuiting: For the Kids - 5th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUudcrix_n0 Fursuiting: For the Kids - Convention edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7SaIpUEVTE The Magic of Fursuiting II]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at local community functions, charity events and parades. He has also hosted or co-hosted several panels at Rainfurrest and Biggest Little Fur Con on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

In August 2013, he founded [http://www.emeraldcitycritters.org Emerald City Critters], a nonprofit organization based in the Seattle, Washington area specializing in character performance for community and charity events, festivals and parades. Some of the events the Critters have attended include one of the state's largest festivals, Issaquah Salmon Days, and the Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[File:wfs13.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from When Furballs Strike 12, featuring a then-record 62 fursuiters and 194 total attendees. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of 19 WFS meets - held approximately every 3 months - with attendance rates steadily rising. When Furballs Strike 19, held on March 23, 2015, had 236 attendees and 89 fursuiters from all over Western Washington as well as some guests that drove hundreds of miles from Canada, Oregon and Idaho. The meet set a new world record for highest attendance at a furry bowling meet, eclipsing Delaware Furbowl 47's record of 215.

When Furballs Strike features a prize raffle that gives away hundreds of dollars in gifts to meet attendees, and an after-bowling dinner party at a local Old Country Buffet restaurant.

VIDEO:

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhcWcrB8bDY When Furballs Strike 19]

== Furry News Network ==

Putting his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism to good use, Kijani is also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

He contributes a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters and their contributions to the world of fursuiting, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of the fandom.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])
*[[JD_Puppy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/04/j-d-puppy-april-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ April 2012])
*[[Coopertom]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/06/coopertom-june-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ June 2012])
*[[Matrices]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/08/matrices-august-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2012])
*[[Howee Husky]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/10/howee-husky-october-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2012])
*[[Oz Kangaroo]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/12/oz-kangaroo-december-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2012])
*[[Tycho Aussie]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/03/tycho-aussie-march-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ March 2013])
*[[jill0r]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/05/jill0r-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ May 2013])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

He owns one of the largest Lion King merchandise and memorabilia collections in the world, comprised of over 1,000 individual items.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of 16 times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled eight perfect 300 games and two 800 series, and most recently recorded a 219 league average. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 130, with a high game of 177.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB0RSt2_7_E Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2013]

==References==
<references/>

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Biggest Little Fur Con guests of honor]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

User:Kijani

2015-04-03T03:22:00Z

Kijani: /* School/Occupation */

== School/Occupation ==

Schools attended:

Ben Franklin Elementary (Kirkland, WA) 1991-1997

Kamiakin Jr. High (Kirkland, WA) 1997-2000

Juanita High School (Kirkland, WA) 2000-2003

University of Washington (Seattle, WA) 2003-2007

Kijani graduated from UW in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism.

[[Image:Kijaniscar.jpg|right|frame|260px|Kijani's car features a personalized pawprint decal]]

[[Image:Kijani_relax.jpg|right|frame|260px|Kijani strikes a relaxing pose during a recent photo shoot]]

{{User TLK}}
{{ContributorU|Kijani}}

Kijani

2014-06-12T11:29:34Z

Kijani: /* When Furballs Strike */

{{copyedit}}
'''Kijani''' (born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A. His fursona name of Kijani translates to "warrior" in the Swahili language, representing his character's ability to fight through any of life's challenges.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], Kijani joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.
He was a [[guest of honor]] at [[Biggest Little Fur Con 2014]].<ref>[https://twitter.com/BiggestLittleFC/status/379649767334100992 Tweet] on the [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] account on [[Twitter]]. Dated September 16, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2014.</ref>

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the University of Washington in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a casino dealer after spending five years in the community newspaper industry as a sports writer and newspaper editor.

[[File:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the Furducers of Tempe, Arizona]]
[[File:Kijani_2.0.jpg|right|thumb|400px|The 2.0 version of Kijani, created by Beastcub Creations, features 3-D "follow me" eyes, moveable jaw, a sewn-in tail and silicone pawpads]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 1,000 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006 and is unofficially the largest in the United States.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is an active member of [http://www.meetup.com/furlife FurLife: Seattle Area Furries] and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of 14 conventions: [[RainFurrest]] 2008-2013; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012,[[Anthrocon]] 2010-2013, and [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] 2014.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani currently owns two fursuits: Kijani, his fursona suit, built by the Furducers [[Sema JayHawk|Semjay]] and [[Taren Nauxen]].

Kijani's first commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs. In August 2013, Kijani 2.0 was completed, created by [[Beastcub]] Creations. The new costume features 3-D "follow me" eyes, a sewn-in tail and moveable hinged jaw.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and digitigrade legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at Rainfurrest in 2009.

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[File:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 7,000 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 50,000 combined views, and a special short film series called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2yTzh6B8XQ Fursuiting: For the Kids - 4th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R55FOJAMl9o Fursuiting: For the Kids - 5th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUudcrix_n0 Fursuiting: For the Kids - Convention edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7SaIpUEVTE The Magic of Fursuiting II]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at local community functions, charity events and parades. He has also hosted or co-hosted several panels at Rainfurrest and Biggest Little Fur Con on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

In August 2013, he founded [http://www.emeraldcitycritters.org Emerald City Critters], a nonprofit organization based in the Seattle, Washington area specializing in character performance for community and charity events, festivals and parades. Some of the events the Critters have attended include one of the state's largest festivals, Issaquah Salmon Days, and the Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[File:wfs13.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from When Furballs Strike 12, featuring a record 62 fursuiters and 194 total attendees. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of 16 WFS meets - held three to four times a year - with attendance rates steadily rising. When Furballs Strike 16, held on May 4, 2014, had a meet-record 198 attendees including 79 fursuiters from all over Western Washington as well as some guests that drove hundreds of miles from Canada, Oregon and Idaho.

When Furballs Strike features a prize raffle that gives away hundreds of dollars in gifts to meet attendees, and an after-bowling dinner party at a local Old Country Buffet restaurant.

VIDEO:

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdkAo_NRZ5Y When Furballs Strike 16]

== Furry News Network ==

Putting his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism to good use, Kijani is also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

He contributes a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters and their contributions to the world of fursuiting, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of the fandom.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])
*[[JD_Puppy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/04/j-d-puppy-april-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ April 2012])
*[[Coopertom]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/06/coopertom-june-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ June 2012])
*[[Matrices]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/08/matrices-august-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2012])
*[[Howee Husky]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/10/howee-husky-october-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2012])
*[[Oz Kangaroo]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/12/oz-kangaroo-december-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2012])
*[[Tycho Aussie]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/03/tycho-aussie-march-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ March 2013])
*[[jill0r]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/05/jill0r-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ May 2013])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

He owns one of the largest Lion King merchandise and memorabilia collections in the world, comprised of over 1,000 individual items.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of 16 times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled eight perfect 300 games and two 800 series, and most recently recorded a 219 league average. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 130, with a high game of 177.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB0RSt2_7_E Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2013]

==References==
<references/>

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Biggest Little Fur Con guests of honor]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Kijani

2014-06-12T11:27:06Z

Kijani: /* Bio/Furry history */

{{copyedit}}
'''Kijani''' (born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A. His fursona name of Kijani translates to "warrior" in the Swahili language, representing his character's ability to fight through any of life's challenges.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], Kijani joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.
He was a [[guest of honor]] at [[Biggest Little Fur Con 2014]].<ref>[https://twitter.com/BiggestLittleFC/status/379649767334100992 Tweet] on the [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] account on [[Twitter]]. Dated September 16, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2014.</ref>

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the University of Washington in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a casino dealer after spending five years in the community newspaper industry as a sports writer and newspaper editor.

[[File:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the Furducers of Tempe, Arizona]]
[[File:Kijani_2.0.jpg|right|thumb|400px|The 2.0 version of Kijani, created by Beastcub Creations, features 3-D "follow me" eyes, moveable jaw, a sewn-in tail and silicone pawpads]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 1,000 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006 and is unofficially the largest in the United States.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is an active member of [http://www.meetup.com/furlife FurLife: Seattle Area Furries] and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of 14 conventions: [[RainFurrest]] 2008-2013; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012,[[Anthrocon]] 2010-2013, and [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] 2014.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani currently owns two fursuits: Kijani, his fursona suit, built by the Furducers [[Sema JayHawk|Semjay]] and [[Taren Nauxen]].

Kijani's first commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs. In August 2013, Kijani 2.0 was completed, created by [[Beastcub]] Creations. The new costume features 3-D "follow me" eyes, a sewn-in tail and moveable hinged jaw.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and digitigrade legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at Rainfurrest in 2009.

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[File:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 7,000 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 50,000 combined views, and a special short film series called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2yTzh6B8XQ Fursuiting: For the Kids - 4th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R55FOJAMl9o Fursuiting: For the Kids - 5th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUudcrix_n0 Fursuiting: For the Kids - Convention edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7SaIpUEVTE The Magic of Fursuiting II]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at local community functions, charity events and parades. He has also hosted or co-hosted several panels at Rainfurrest and Biggest Little Fur Con on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

In August 2013, he founded [http://www.emeraldcitycritters.org Emerald City Critters], a nonprofit organization based in the Seattle, Washington area specializing in character performance for community and charity events, festivals and parades. Some of the events the Critters have attended include one of the state's largest festivals, Issaquah Salmon Days, and the Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[File:wfs13.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from When Furballs Strike 12, featuring a record 62 fursuiters and 194 total attendees. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of 16 WFS meets - held three to four times a year - with attendance rates steadily rising. When Furballs Strike 16, held on May 4, 2013, had a meet-record 198 attendees including 79 fursuiters from all over Western Washington as well as some guests that drove hundreds of miles from Canada, Oregon and Idaho.

When Furballs Strike features a prize raffle that gives away hundreds of dollars in gifts to meet attendees, and an after-bowling dinner party at a local Old Country Buffet restaurant.

VIDEO:

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdkAo_NRZ5Y When Furballs Strike 16]

== Furry News Network ==

Putting his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism to good use, Kijani is also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

He contributes a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters and their contributions to the world of fursuiting, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of the fandom.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])
*[[JD_Puppy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/04/j-d-puppy-april-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ April 2012])
*[[Coopertom]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/06/coopertom-june-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ June 2012])
*[[Matrices]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/08/matrices-august-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2012])
*[[Howee Husky]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/10/howee-husky-october-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2012])
*[[Oz Kangaroo]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/12/oz-kangaroo-december-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2012])
*[[Tycho Aussie]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/03/tycho-aussie-march-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ March 2013])
*[[jill0r]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/05/jill0r-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ May 2013])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

He owns one of the largest Lion King merchandise and memorabilia collections in the world, comprised of over 1,000 individual items.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of 16 times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled eight perfect 300 games and two 800 series, and most recently recorded a 219 league average. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 130, with a high game of 177.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB0RSt2_7_E Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2013]

==References==
<references/>

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Biggest Little Fur Con guests of honor]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Kijani

2014-06-12T11:26:32Z

Kijani: /* Bio/Furry history */

{{copyedit}}
'''Kijani''' (born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A. His fursona name of Kijani translates to "warrior" in the Swahili language, representing his character's ability to fight through any of life's challenges.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], Kijani joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.
He was a [[guest of honor]] at [[Biggest Little Fur Con 2014]].<ref>[https://twitter.com/BiggestLittleFC/status/379649767334100992 Tweet] on the [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] account on [[Twitter]]. Dated September 16, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2014.</ref>

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the University of Washington in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a casino dealer after spending five years in the community newspaper industry as a sports writer and newspaper editor.

[[File:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the Furducers of Tempe, Arizona]]
[[File:Kijani_2.0.jpg|right|thumb|400px|The 2.0 version of Kijani, created by Beastcub Creations, features 3-D "follow me" eyes, moveable jaw, a sewn-in tail and silicone pawpads]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 1,000 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006 and is unofficially the largest in the United States.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is an active member of [http://www.meetup.com/furlife FurLife: Seattle Area Furries] and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of 14 conventions: [[RainFurrest]] 2008-2013; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012,[[Anthrocon]] 2010-2013, and [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] 2014.

Kijani was named the Fursuit Guest of Honor at Biggest Little Fur Con 2014, his first such honor.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani currently owns two fursuits: Kijani, his fursona suit, built by the Furducers [[Sema JayHawk|Semjay]] and [[Taren Nauxen]].

Kijani's first commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs. In August 2013, Kijani 2.0 was completed, created by [[Beastcub]] Creations. The new costume features 3-D "follow me" eyes, a sewn-in tail and moveable hinged jaw.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and digitigrade legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at Rainfurrest in 2009.

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[File:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 7,000 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 50,000 combined views, and a special short film series called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2yTzh6B8XQ Fursuiting: For the Kids - 4th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R55FOJAMl9o Fursuiting: For the Kids - 5th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUudcrix_n0 Fursuiting: For the Kids - Convention edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7SaIpUEVTE The Magic of Fursuiting II]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at local community functions, charity events and parades. He has also hosted or co-hosted several panels at Rainfurrest and Biggest Little Fur Con on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

In August 2013, he founded [http://www.emeraldcitycritters.org Emerald City Critters], a nonprofit organization based in the Seattle, Washington area specializing in character performance for community and charity events, festivals and parades. Some of the events the Critters have attended include one of the state's largest festivals, Issaquah Salmon Days, and the Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[File:wfs13.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from When Furballs Strike 12, featuring a record 62 fursuiters and 194 total attendees. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of 16 WFS meets - held three to four times a year - with attendance rates steadily rising. When Furballs Strike 16, held on May 4, 2013, had a meet-record 198 attendees including 79 fursuiters from all over Western Washington as well as some guests that drove hundreds of miles from Canada, Oregon and Idaho.

When Furballs Strike features a prize raffle that gives away hundreds of dollars in gifts to meet attendees, and an after-bowling dinner party at a local Old Country Buffet restaurant.

VIDEO:

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdkAo_NRZ5Y When Furballs Strike 16]

== Furry News Network ==

Putting his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism to good use, Kijani is also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

He contributes a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters and their contributions to the world of fursuiting, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of the fandom.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])
*[[JD_Puppy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/04/j-d-puppy-april-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ April 2012])
*[[Coopertom]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/06/coopertom-june-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ June 2012])
*[[Matrices]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/08/matrices-august-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2012])
*[[Howee Husky]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/10/howee-husky-october-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2012])
*[[Oz Kangaroo]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/12/oz-kangaroo-december-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2012])
*[[Tycho Aussie]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/03/tycho-aussie-march-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ March 2013])
*[[jill0r]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/05/jill0r-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ May 2013])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

He owns one of the largest Lion King merchandise and memorabilia collections in the world, comprised of over 1,000 individual items.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of 16 times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled eight perfect 300 games and two 800 series, and most recently recorded a 219 league average. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 130, with a high game of 177.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB0RSt2_7_E Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2013]

==References==
<references/>

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Biggest Little Fur Con guests of honor]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Kijani

2014-06-12T11:26:02Z

Kijani: /* Hobbies */

{{copyedit}}
'''Kijani''' (born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A. His fursona name of Kijani translates to "warrior" in the Swahili language, representing his character's ability to fight through any of life's challenges.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], Kijani joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.
He was a [[guest of honor]] at [[Biggest Little Fur Con 2014]].<ref>[https://twitter.com/BiggestLittleFC/status/379649767334100992 Tweet] on the [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] account on [[Twitter]]. Dated September 16, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2014.</ref>

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the University of Washington in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a casino dealer after spending five years in the community newspaper industry as a sports writer and newspaper editor.

[[File:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the Furducers of Tempe, Arizona]]
[[File:Kijani_2.0.jpg|right|thumb|400px|The 2.0 version of Kijani, created by Beastcub Creations, features 3-D "follow me" eyes, moveable jaw, a sewn-in tail and silicone pawpads]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 970 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006 and is unofficially the largest in the United States.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is an active member of [http://www.meetup.com/furlife FurLife: Seattle Area Furries] and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of 14 conventions: [[RainFurrest]] 2008-2013; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012,[[Anthrocon]] 2010-2013, and [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] 2014.

Kijani was named the Fursuit Guest of Honor at Biggest Little Fur Con 2014, his first such honor.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani currently owns two fursuits: Kijani, his fursona suit, built by the Furducers [[Sema JayHawk|Semjay]] and [[Taren Nauxen]].

Kijani's first commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs. In August 2013, Kijani 2.0 was completed, created by [[Beastcub]] Creations. The new costume features 3-D "follow me" eyes, a sewn-in tail and moveable hinged jaw.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and digitigrade legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at Rainfurrest in 2009.

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[File:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 7,000 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 50,000 combined views, and a special short film series called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2yTzh6B8XQ Fursuiting: For the Kids - 4th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R55FOJAMl9o Fursuiting: For the Kids - 5th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUudcrix_n0 Fursuiting: For the Kids - Convention edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7SaIpUEVTE The Magic of Fursuiting II]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at local community functions, charity events and parades. He has also hosted or co-hosted several panels at Rainfurrest and Biggest Little Fur Con on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

In August 2013, he founded [http://www.emeraldcitycritters.org Emerald City Critters], a nonprofit organization based in the Seattle, Washington area specializing in character performance for community and charity events, festivals and parades. Some of the events the Critters have attended include one of the state's largest festivals, Issaquah Salmon Days, and the Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[File:wfs13.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from When Furballs Strike 12, featuring a record 62 fursuiters and 194 total attendees. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of 16 WFS meets - held three to four times a year - with attendance rates steadily rising. When Furballs Strike 16, held on May 4, 2013, had a meet-record 198 attendees including 79 fursuiters from all over Western Washington as well as some guests that drove hundreds of miles from Canada, Oregon and Idaho.

When Furballs Strike features a prize raffle that gives away hundreds of dollars in gifts to meet attendees, and an after-bowling dinner party at a local Old Country Buffet restaurant.

VIDEO:

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdkAo_NRZ5Y When Furballs Strike 16]

== Furry News Network ==

Putting his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism to good use, Kijani is also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

He contributes a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters and their contributions to the world of fursuiting, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of the fandom.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])
*[[JD_Puppy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/04/j-d-puppy-april-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ April 2012])
*[[Coopertom]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/06/coopertom-june-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ June 2012])
*[[Matrices]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/08/matrices-august-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2012])
*[[Howee Husky]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/10/howee-husky-october-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2012])
*[[Oz Kangaroo]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/12/oz-kangaroo-december-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2012])
*[[Tycho Aussie]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/03/tycho-aussie-march-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ March 2013])
*[[jill0r]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/05/jill0r-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ May 2013])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

He owns one of the largest Lion King merchandise and memorabilia collections in the world, comprised of over 1,000 individual items.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of 16 times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled eight perfect 300 games and two 800 series, and most recently recorded a 219 league average. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 130, with a high game of 177.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB0RSt2_7_E Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2013]

==References==
<references/>

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Biggest Little Fur Con guests of honor]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Kijani

2014-06-12T11:24:57Z

Kijani: /* Fursuiting Ambassador */

{{copyedit}}
'''Kijani''' (born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A. His fursona name of Kijani translates to "warrior" in the Swahili language, representing his character's ability to fight through any of life's challenges.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], Kijani joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.
He was a [[guest of honor]] at [[Biggest Little Fur Con 2014]].<ref>[https://twitter.com/BiggestLittleFC/status/379649767334100992 Tweet] on the [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] account on [[Twitter]]. Dated September 16, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2014.</ref>

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the University of Washington in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a casino dealer after spending five years in the community newspaper industry as a sports writer and newspaper editor.

[[File:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the Furducers of Tempe, Arizona]]
[[File:Kijani_2.0.jpg|right|thumb|400px|The 2.0 version of Kijani, created by Beastcub Creations, features 3-D "follow me" eyes, moveable jaw, a sewn-in tail and silicone pawpads]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 970 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006 and is unofficially the largest in the United States.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is an active member of [http://www.meetup.com/furlife FurLife: Seattle Area Furries] and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of 14 conventions: [[RainFurrest]] 2008-2013; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012,[[Anthrocon]] 2010-2013, and [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] 2014.

Kijani was named the Fursuit Guest of Honor at Biggest Little Fur Con 2014, his first such honor.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani currently owns two fursuits: Kijani, his fursona suit, built by the Furducers [[Sema JayHawk|Semjay]] and [[Taren Nauxen]].

Kijani's first commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs. In August 2013, Kijani 2.0 was completed, created by [[Beastcub]] Creations. The new costume features 3-D "follow me" eyes, a sewn-in tail and moveable hinged jaw.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and digitigrade legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at Rainfurrest in 2009.

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[File:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 7,000 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 50,000 combined views, and a special short film series called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2yTzh6B8XQ Fursuiting: For the Kids - 4th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R55FOJAMl9o Fursuiting: For the Kids - 5th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUudcrix_n0 Fursuiting: For the Kids - Convention edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7SaIpUEVTE The Magic of Fursuiting II]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at local community functions, charity events and parades. He has also hosted or co-hosted several panels at Rainfurrest and Biggest Little Fur Con on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

In August 2013, he founded [http://www.emeraldcitycritters.org Emerald City Critters], a nonprofit organization based in the Seattle, Washington area specializing in character performance for community and charity events, festivals and parades. Some of the events the Critters have attended include one of the state's largest festivals, Issaquah Salmon Days, and the Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[File:wfs13.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from When Furballs Strike 12, featuring a record 62 fursuiters and 194 total attendees. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of 16 WFS meets - held three to four times a year - with attendance rates steadily rising. When Furballs Strike 16, held on May 4, 2013, had a meet-record 198 attendees including 79 fursuiters from all over Western Washington as well as some guests that drove hundreds of miles from Canada, Oregon and Idaho.

When Furballs Strike features a prize raffle that gives away hundreds of dollars in gifts to meet attendees, and an after-bowling dinner party at a local Old Country Buffet restaurant.

VIDEO:

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdkAo_NRZ5Y When Furballs Strike 16]

== Furry News Network ==

Putting his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism to good use, Kijani is also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

He contributes a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters and their contributions to the world of fursuiting, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of the fandom.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])
*[[JD_Puppy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/04/j-d-puppy-april-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ April 2012])
*[[Coopertom]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/06/coopertom-june-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ June 2012])
*[[Matrices]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/08/matrices-august-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2012])
*[[Howee Husky]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/10/howee-husky-october-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2012])
*[[Oz Kangaroo]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/12/oz-kangaroo-december-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2012])
*[[Tycho Aussie]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/03/tycho-aussie-march-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ March 2013])
*[[jill0r]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/05/jill0r-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ May 2013])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

He owns one of the largest Lion King merchandise and memorabilia collections in the world, comprised of over 1,000 individual items.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of fourteen times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled eight perfect 300 games and two 800 series, and most recently recorded a 219 league average. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 130, with a high game of 177.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB0RSt2_7_E Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2013]

==References==
<references/>

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Biggest Little Fur Con guests of honor]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Kijani

2014-06-12T11:15:49Z

Kijani: /* Bowling */

{{copyedit}}
'''Kijani''' (born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A. His fursona name of Kijani translates to "warrior" in the Swahili language, representing his character's ability to fight through any of life's challenges.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], Kijani joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.
He was a [[guest of honor]] at [[Biggest Little Fur Con 2014]].<ref>[https://twitter.com/BiggestLittleFC/status/379649767334100992 Tweet] on the [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] account on [[Twitter]]. Dated September 16, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2014.</ref>

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the University of Washington in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a casino dealer after spending five years in the community newspaper industry as a sports writer and newspaper editor.

[[File:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the Furducers of Tempe, Arizona]]
[[File:Kijani_2.0.jpg|right|thumb|400px|The 2.0 version of Kijani, created by Beastcub Creations, features 3-D "follow me" eyes, moveable jaw, a sewn-in tail and silicone pawpads]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 970 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006 and is unofficially the largest in the United States.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is an active member of [http://www.meetup.com/furlife FurLife: Seattle Area Furries] and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of 14 conventions: [[RainFurrest]] 2008-2013; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012,[[Anthrocon]] 2010-2013, and [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] 2014.

Kijani was named the Fursuit Guest of Honor at Biggest Little Fur Con 2014, his first such honor.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani currently owns two fursuits: Kijani, his fursona suit, built by the Furducers [[Sema JayHawk|Semjay]] and [[Taren Nauxen]].

Kijani's first commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs. In August 2013, Kijani 2.0 was completed, created by [[Beastcub]] Creations. The new costume features 3-D "follow me" eyes, a sewn-in tail and moveable hinged jaw.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and digitigrade legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at Rainfurrest in 2009.

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[File:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 5,200 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 50,000 combined views, and a special short film series called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2yTzh6B8XQ Fursuiting: For the Kids - 4th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R55FOJAMl9o Fursuiting: For the Kids - 5th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUudcrix_n0 Fursuiting: For the Kids - Convention edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7SaIpUEVTE The Magic of Fursuiting II]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at local community functions, charity events and parades. He has also hosted or co-hosted several panels at Rainfurrest and Biggest Little Fur Con on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

In August 2013, he founded [http://www.emeraldcitycritters.org Emerald City Critters], a nonprofit organization based in the Seattle, Washington area specializing in character performance for community and charity events, festivals and parades. Some of the events the Critters have attended include one of the state's largest festivals, Issaquah Salmon Days, and the Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[File:wfs13.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from When Furballs Strike 12, featuring a record 62 fursuiters and 194 total attendees. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of 16 WFS meets - held three to four times a year - with attendance rates steadily rising. When Furballs Strike 16, held on May 4, 2013, had a meet-record 198 attendees including 79 fursuiters from all over Western Washington as well as some guests that drove hundreds of miles from Canada, Oregon and Idaho.

When Furballs Strike features a prize raffle that gives away hundreds of dollars in gifts to meet attendees, and an after-bowling dinner party at a local Old Country Buffet restaurant.

VIDEO:

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdkAo_NRZ5Y When Furballs Strike 16]

== Furry News Network ==

Putting his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism to good use, Kijani is also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

He contributes a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters and their contributions to the world of fursuiting, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of the fandom.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])
*[[JD_Puppy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/04/j-d-puppy-april-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ April 2012])
*[[Coopertom]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/06/coopertom-june-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ June 2012])
*[[Matrices]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/08/matrices-august-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2012])
*[[Howee Husky]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/10/howee-husky-october-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2012])
*[[Oz Kangaroo]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/12/oz-kangaroo-december-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2012])
*[[Tycho Aussie]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/03/tycho-aussie-march-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ March 2013])
*[[jill0r]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/05/jill0r-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ May 2013])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

He owns one of the largest Lion King merchandise and memorabilia collections in the world, comprised of over 1,000 individual items.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of fourteen times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled eight perfect 300 games and two 800 series, and most recently recorded a 219 league average. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 130, with a high game of 177.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB0RSt2_7_E Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2013]

==References==
<references/>

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Biggest Little Fur Con guests of honor]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Kijani

2014-06-12T11:13:44Z

Kijani: /* When Furballs Strike */

{{copyedit}}
'''Kijani''' (born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A. His fursona name of Kijani translates to "warrior" in the Swahili language, representing his character's ability to fight through any of life's challenges.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], Kijani joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.
He was a [[guest of honor]] at [[Biggest Little Fur Con 2014]].<ref>[https://twitter.com/BiggestLittleFC/status/379649767334100992 Tweet] on the [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] account on [[Twitter]]. Dated September 16, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2014.</ref>

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the University of Washington in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a casino dealer after spending five years in the community newspaper industry as a sports writer and newspaper editor.

[[File:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the Furducers of Tempe, Arizona]]
[[File:Kijani_2.0.jpg|right|thumb|400px|The 2.0 version of Kijani, created by Beastcub Creations, features 3-D "follow me" eyes, moveable jaw, a sewn-in tail and silicone pawpads]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 970 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006 and is unofficially the largest in the United States.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is an active member of [http://www.meetup.com/furlife FurLife: Seattle Area Furries] and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of 14 conventions: [[RainFurrest]] 2008-2013; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012,[[Anthrocon]] 2010-2013, and [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] 2014.

Kijani was named the Fursuit Guest of Honor at Biggest Little Fur Con 2014, his first such honor.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani currently owns two fursuits: Kijani, his fursona suit, built by the Furducers [[Sema JayHawk|Semjay]] and [[Taren Nauxen]].

Kijani's first commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs. In August 2013, Kijani 2.0 was completed, created by [[Beastcub]] Creations. The new costume features 3-D "follow me" eyes, a sewn-in tail and moveable hinged jaw.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and digitigrade legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at Rainfurrest in 2009.

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[File:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 5,200 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 50,000 combined views, and a special short film series called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2yTzh6B8XQ Fursuiting: For the Kids - 4th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R55FOJAMl9o Fursuiting: For the Kids - 5th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUudcrix_n0 Fursuiting: For the Kids - Convention edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7SaIpUEVTE The Magic of Fursuiting II]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at local community functions, charity events and parades. He has also hosted or co-hosted several panels at Rainfurrest and Biggest Little Fur Con on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

In August 2013, he founded [http://www.emeraldcitycritters.org Emerald City Critters], a nonprofit organization based in the Seattle, Washington area specializing in character performance for community and charity events, festivals and parades. Some of the events the Critters have attended include one of the state's largest festivals, Issaquah Salmon Days, and the Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[File:wfs13.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from When Furballs Strike 12, featuring a record 62 fursuiters and 194 total attendees. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of 16 WFS meets - held three to four times a year - with attendance rates steadily rising. When Furballs Strike 16, held on May 4, 2013, had a meet-record 198 attendees including 79 fursuiters from all over Western Washington as well as some guests that drove hundreds of miles from Canada, Oregon and Idaho.

When Furballs Strike features a prize raffle that gives away hundreds of dollars in gifts to meet attendees, and an after-bowling dinner party at a local Old Country Buffet restaurant.

VIDEO:

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdkAo_NRZ5Y When Furballs Strike 16]

== Furry News Network ==

Putting his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism to good use, Kijani is also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

He contributes a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters and their contributions to the world of fursuiting, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of the fandom.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])
*[[JD_Puppy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/04/j-d-puppy-april-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ April 2012])
*[[Coopertom]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/06/coopertom-june-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ June 2012])
*[[Matrices]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/08/matrices-august-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2012])
*[[Howee Husky]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/10/howee-husky-october-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2012])
*[[Oz Kangaroo]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/12/oz-kangaroo-december-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2012])
*[[Tycho Aussie]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/03/tycho-aussie-march-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ March 2013])
*[[jill0r]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/05/jill0r-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ May 2013])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

He owns one of the largest Lion King merchandise and memorabilia collections in the world, comprised of over 1,000 individual items.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of fourteen times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled eight perfect 300 games and two 800 series, and most recently recorded a 219 league average. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 120, with a high game of 155.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBRTF6K2Mog Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2010]

==References==
<references/>

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Biggest Little Fur Con guests of honor]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Kijani

2014-06-12T11:10:50Z

Kijani: /* Fursuiting Ambassador */

{{copyedit}}
'''Kijani''' (born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A. His fursona name of Kijani translates to "warrior" in the Swahili language, representing his character's ability to fight through any of life's challenges.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], Kijani joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.
He was a [[guest of honor]] at [[Biggest Little Fur Con 2014]].<ref>[https://twitter.com/BiggestLittleFC/status/379649767334100992 Tweet] on the [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] account on [[Twitter]]. Dated September 16, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2014.</ref>

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the University of Washington in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a casino dealer after spending five years in the community newspaper industry as a sports writer and newspaper editor.

[[File:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the Furducers of Tempe, Arizona]]
[[File:Kijani_2.0.jpg|right|thumb|400px|The 2.0 version of Kijani, created by Beastcub Creations, features 3-D "follow me" eyes, moveable jaw, a sewn-in tail and silicone pawpads]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 970 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006 and is unofficially the largest in the United States.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is an active member of [http://www.meetup.com/furlife FurLife: Seattle Area Furries] and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of 14 conventions: [[RainFurrest]] 2008-2013; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012,[[Anthrocon]] 2010-2013, and [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] 2014.

Kijani was named the Fursuit Guest of Honor at Biggest Little Fur Con 2014, his first such honor.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani currently owns two fursuits: Kijani, his fursona suit, built by the Furducers [[Sema JayHawk|Semjay]] and [[Taren Nauxen]].

Kijani's first commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs. In August 2013, Kijani 2.0 was completed, created by [[Beastcub]] Creations. The new costume features 3-D "follow me" eyes, a sewn-in tail and moveable hinged jaw.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and digitigrade legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at Rainfurrest in 2009.

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[File:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 5,200 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 50,000 combined views, and a special short film series called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2yTzh6B8XQ Fursuiting: For the Kids - 4th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R55FOJAMl9o Fursuiting: For the Kids - 5th edition]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUudcrix_n0 Fursuiting: For the Kids - Convention edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7SaIpUEVTE The Magic of Fursuiting II]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at local community functions, charity events and parades. He has also hosted or co-hosted several panels at Rainfurrest and Biggest Little Fur Con on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

In August 2013, he founded [http://www.emeraldcitycritters.org Emerald City Critters], a nonprofit organization based in the Seattle, Washington area specializing in character performance for community and charity events, festivals and parades. Some of the events the Critters have attended include one of the state's largest festivals, Issaquah Salmon Days, and the Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[File:wfs13.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from When Furballs Strike 12, featuring a record 62 fursuiters and 194 total attendees. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of 13 WFS meets - held three to four times a year - with attendance rates steadily rising. When Furballs Strike 12, held on March 23, 2013, had a meet-record 194 attendees including 62 fursuiters and 127 bowlers from all over Western Washington as well as some guests that drove hundreds of miles from Canada, Oregon and Idaho.

When Furballs Strike features a prize raffle that gives away hundreds of dollars in gifts to meet attendees, and an after-bowling dinner party at a local Old Country Buffet restaurant.

VIDEO:

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0ctmyxmNsU When Furballs Strike 10]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qLtg959F6o When Furballs Strike 11]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq4cepsCGf0 When Furballs Strike 12]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVn78sCzyxw When Furballs Strike 13]

== Furry News Network ==

Putting his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism to good use, Kijani is also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

He contributes a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters and their contributions to the world of fursuiting, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of the fandom.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])
*[[JD_Puppy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/04/j-d-puppy-april-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ April 2012])
*[[Coopertom]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/06/coopertom-june-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ June 2012])
*[[Matrices]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/08/matrices-august-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2012])
*[[Howee Husky]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/10/howee-husky-october-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2012])
*[[Oz Kangaroo]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/12/oz-kangaroo-december-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2012])
*[[Tycho Aussie]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/03/tycho-aussie-march-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ March 2013])
*[[jill0r]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/05/jill0r-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ May 2013])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

He owns one of the largest Lion King merchandise and memorabilia collections in the world, comprised of over 1,000 individual items.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of fourteen times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled eight perfect 300 games and two 800 series, and most recently recorded a 219 league average. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 120, with a high game of 155.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBRTF6K2Mog Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2010]

==References==
<references/>

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Biggest Little Fur Con guests of honor]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Kijani

2014-06-12T08:24:27Z

Kijani: /* Bio/Furry history */

{{copyedit}}
'''Kijani''' (born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A. His fursona name of Kijani translates to "warrior" in the Swahili language, representing his character's ability to fight through any of life's challenges.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], Kijani joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.
He was a [[guest of honor]] at [[Biggest Little Fur Con 2014]].<ref>[https://twitter.com/BiggestLittleFC/status/379649767334100992 Tweet] on the [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] account on [[Twitter]]. Dated September 16, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2014.</ref>

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the University of Washington in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a casino dealer after spending five years in the community newspaper industry as a sports writer and newspaper editor.

[[File:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the Furducers of Tempe, Arizona]]
[[File:Kijani_2.0.jpg|right|thumb|400px|The 2.0 version of Kijani, created by Beastcub Creations, features 3-D "follow me" eyes, moveable jaw, a sewn-in tail and silicone pawpads]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 970 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006 and is unofficially the largest in the United States.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is an active member of [http://www.meetup.com/furlife FurLife: Seattle Area Furries] and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of 14 conventions: [[RainFurrest]] 2008-2013; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012,[[Anthrocon]] 2010-2013, and [[Biggest Little Fur Con]] 2014.

Kijani was named the Fursuit Guest of Honor at Biggest Little Fur Con 2014, his first such honor.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani currently owns two fursuits: Kijani, his fursona suit, built by the Furducers [[Sema JayHawk|Semjay]] and [[Taren Nauxen]].

Kijani's first commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs. In August 2013, Kijani 2.0 was completed, created by [[Beastcub]] Creations. The new costume features 3-D "follow me" eyes, a sewn-in tail and moveable hinged jaw.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and digitigrade legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at Rainfurrest in 2009.

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[File:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 5,200 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 50,000 combined views, and a special short film series called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h61hhl-eY44 Fursuiting: For the Kids]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA6VeDA8o8c Fursuiting: For the Kids - 2nd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2yTzh6B8XQ Fursuiting: For the Kids - 4th edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7SaIpUEVTE The Magic of Fursuiting II]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at local community functions, charity events and parades. Among the many events he fursuits to every year are [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSilkp96eb0 Bothell Riverfest], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKitQIt0oDQ Issaquah Salmon Days], and an assortment of summer parades including [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeSksSIxf94 Bothell's Grand Parade].

Kijani has also co-hosted several panels, at Rainfurrest 2010-2012, on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[File:wfs13.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from When Furballs Strike 12, featuring a record 62 fursuiters and 194 total attendees. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of 13 WFS meets - held three to four times a year - with attendance rates steadily rising. When Furballs Strike 12, held on March 23, 2013, had a meet-record 194 attendees including 62 fursuiters and 127 bowlers from all over Western Washington as well as some guests that drove hundreds of miles from Canada, Oregon and Idaho.

When Furballs Strike features a prize raffle that gives away hundreds of dollars in gifts to meet attendees, and an after-bowling dinner party at a local Old Country Buffet restaurant.

VIDEO:

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0ctmyxmNsU When Furballs Strike 10]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qLtg959F6o When Furballs Strike 11]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq4cepsCGf0 When Furballs Strike 12]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVn78sCzyxw When Furballs Strike 13]

== Furry News Network ==

Putting his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism to good use, Kijani is also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

He contributes a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters and their contributions to the world of fursuiting, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of the fandom.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])
*[[JD_Puppy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/04/j-d-puppy-april-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ April 2012])
*[[Coopertom]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/06/coopertom-june-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ June 2012])
*[[Matrices]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/08/matrices-august-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2012])
*[[Howee Husky]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/10/howee-husky-october-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2012])
*[[Oz Kangaroo]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/12/oz-kangaroo-december-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2012])
*[[Tycho Aussie]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/03/tycho-aussie-march-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ March 2013])
*[[jill0r]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/05/jill0r-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ May 2013])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

He owns one of the largest Lion King merchandise and memorabilia collections in the world, comprised of over 1,000 individual items.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of fourteen times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled eight perfect 300 games and two 800 series, and most recently recorded a 219 league average. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 120, with a high game of 155.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBRTF6K2Mog Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2010]

==References==
<references/>

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Biggest Little Fur Con guests of honor]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Kijani

2013-09-07T17:29:53Z

Kijani: /* When Furballs Strike */ added most recent meet

{{copyedit}}
'''Kijani''' (born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A. His fursona name of Kijani translates to "warrior" in the Swahili language, representing his character's ability to fight through any of life's challenges.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], he joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the University of Washington in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a casino dealer after spending five years in the community newspaper industry as a sports writer and newspaper editor.

[[File:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the Furducers of Tempe, Arizona]]
[[File:Kijani_2.0.jpg|right|thumb|400px|The 2.0 version of Kijani, created by Beastcub Creations, features 3-D "follow me" eyes, moveable jaw, a sewn-in tail and silicone pawpads]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 970 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006 and is unofficially the largest in the United States.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is an active member of [http://www.meetup.com/furlife FurLife: Seattle Area Furries] and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of 12 conventions: [[Rainfurrest]] 2008-2012; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012, and [[Anthrocon]] 2010-2013.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani currently owns two fursuits: Kijani, his fursona suit, built by the Furducers [[Sema JayHawk|Semjay]] and [[Taren Nauxen]].

Kijani's first commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs. In August 2013, Kijani 2.0 was completed, created by [[Beastcub]] Creations. The new costume features 3-D "follow me" eyes, a sewn-in tail and moveable hinged jaw.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and digitigrade legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at Rainfurrest in 2009.

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[File:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 5,200 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 50,000 combined views, and a special short film series called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h61hhl-eY44 Fursuiting: For the Kids]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA6VeDA8o8c Fursuiting: For the Kids - 2nd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2yTzh6B8XQ Fursuiting: For the Kids - 4th edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7SaIpUEVTE The Magic of Fursuiting II]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at local community functions, charity events and parades. Among the many events he fursuits to every year are [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSilkp96eb0 Bothell Riverfest], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKitQIt0oDQ Issaquah Salmon Days], and an assortment of summer parades including [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeSksSIxf94 Bothell's Grand Parade].

Kijani has also co-hosted several panels, at Rainfurrest 2010-2012, on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[File:wfs13.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from When Furballs Strike 12, featuring a record 62 fursuiters and 194 total attendees. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of 13 WFS meets - held three to four times a year - with attendance rates steadily rising. When Furballs Strike 12, held on March 23, 2013, had a meet-record 194 attendees including 62 fursuiters and 127 bowlers from all over Western Washington as well as some guests that drove hundreds of miles from Canada, Oregon and Idaho.

When Furballs Strike features a prize raffle that gives away hundreds of dollars in gifts to meet attendees, and an after-bowling dinner party at a local Old Country Buffet restaurant.

VIDEO:

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0ctmyxmNsU When Furballs Strike 10]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qLtg959F6o When Furballs Strike 11]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq4cepsCGf0 When Furballs Strike 12]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVn78sCzyxw When Furballs Strike 13]

== Furry News Network ==

Putting his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism to good use, Kijani is also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

He contributes a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters and their contributions to the world of fursuiting, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of the fandom.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])
*[[JD_Puppy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/04/j-d-puppy-april-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ April 2012])
*[[Coopertom]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/06/coopertom-june-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ June 2012])
*[[Matrices]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/08/matrices-august-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2012])
*[[Howee Husky]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/10/howee-husky-october-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2012])
*[[Oz Kangaroo]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/12/oz-kangaroo-december-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2012])
*[[Tycho Aussie]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/03/tycho-aussie-march-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ March 2013])
*[[jill0r]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/05/jill0r-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ May 2013])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

He owns one of the largest Lion King merchandise and memorabilia collections in the world, comprised of over 1,000 individual items.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of fourteen times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled eight perfect 300 games and two 800 series, and most recently recorded a 219 league average. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 120, with a high game of 155.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBRTF6K2Mog Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2010]

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Kijani

2013-09-07T17:26:56Z

Kijani: /* Bio/Furry history */ attended conventions update

{{copyedit}}
'''Kijani''' (born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A. His fursona name of Kijani translates to "warrior" in the Swahili language, representing his character's ability to fight through any of life's challenges.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], he joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the University of Washington in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a casino dealer after spending five years in the community newspaper industry as a sports writer and newspaper editor.

[[File:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the Furducers of Tempe, Arizona]]
[[File:Kijani_2.0.jpg|right|thumb|400px|The 2.0 version of Kijani, created by Beastcub Creations, features 3-D "follow me" eyes, moveable jaw, a sewn-in tail and silicone pawpads]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 970 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006 and is unofficially the largest in the United States.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is an active member of [http://www.meetup.com/furlife FurLife: Seattle Area Furries] and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of 12 conventions: [[Rainfurrest]] 2008-2012; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012, and [[Anthrocon]] 2010-2013.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani currently owns two fursuits: Kijani, his fursona suit, built by the Furducers [[Sema JayHawk|Semjay]] and [[Taren Nauxen]].

Kijani's first commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs. In August 2013, Kijani 2.0 was completed, created by [[Beastcub]] Creations. The new costume features 3-D "follow me" eyes, a sewn-in tail and moveable hinged jaw.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and digitigrade legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at Rainfurrest in 2009.

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[File:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 5,200 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 50,000 combined views, and a special short film series called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h61hhl-eY44 Fursuiting: For the Kids]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA6VeDA8o8c Fursuiting: For the Kids - 2nd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2yTzh6B8XQ Fursuiting: For the Kids - 4th edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7SaIpUEVTE The Magic of Fursuiting II]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at local community functions, charity events and parades. Among the many events he fursuits to every year are [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSilkp96eb0 Bothell Riverfest], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKitQIt0oDQ Issaquah Salmon Days], and an assortment of summer parades including [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeSksSIxf94 Bothell's Grand Parade].

Kijani has also co-hosted several panels, at Rainfurrest 2010-2012, on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[File:wfs13.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from When Furballs Strike 13, featuring a record 62 fursuiters and 194 total attendees. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of 12 WFS meets - held three to four times a year - with attendance rates steadily rising. The most recent, held on March 23, 2013, had a meet-record 194 attendees including 62 fursuiters and 127 bowlers from all over Western Washington as well as some guests that drove hundreds of miles from Canada, Oregon and Idaho.

When Furballs Strike features a prize raffle that gives away hundreds of dollars in gifts to meet attendees, and an after-bowling dinner party at a local Old Country Buffet restaurant.

VIDEO:

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0ctmyxmNsU When Furballs Strike 10]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qLtg959F6o When Furballs Strike 11]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq4cepsCGf0 When Furballs Strike 12]

== Furry News Network ==

Putting his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism to good use, Kijani is also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

He contributes a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters and their contributions to the world of fursuiting, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of the fandom.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])
*[[JD_Puppy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/04/j-d-puppy-april-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ April 2012])
*[[Coopertom]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/06/coopertom-june-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ June 2012])
*[[Matrices]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/08/matrices-august-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2012])
*[[Howee Husky]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/10/howee-husky-october-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2012])
*[[Oz Kangaroo]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/12/oz-kangaroo-december-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2012])
*[[Tycho Aussie]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/03/tycho-aussie-march-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ March 2013])
*[[jill0r]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/05/jill0r-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ May 2013])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

He owns one of the largest Lion King merchandise and memorabilia collections in the world, comprised of over 1,000 individual items.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of fourteen times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled eight perfect 300 games and two 800 series, and most recently recorded a 219 league average. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 120, with a high game of 155.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBRTF6K2Mog Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2010]

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Kijani

2013-09-07T17:25:34Z

Kijani: General update, added photo of Kijani 2.0.

{{copyedit}}
'''Kijani''' (born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A. His fursona name of Kijani translates to "warrior" in the Swahili language, representing his character's ability to fight through any of life's challenges.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], he joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the University of Washington in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a casino dealer after spending five years in the community newspaper industry as a sports writer and newspaper editor.

[[File:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the Furducers of Tempe, Arizona]]
[[File:Kijani_2.0.jpg|right|thumb|400px|The 2.0 version of Kijani, created by Beastcub Creations, features 3-D "follow me" eyes, moveable jaw, a sewn-in tail and silicone pawpads]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 970 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006 and is unofficially the largest in the United States.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is an active member of [http://www.meetup.com/furlife FurLife: Seattle Area Furries] and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of eleven conventions: [[Rainfurrest]] 2008-2012; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012, and [[Anthrocon]] 2010, 2011 and 2012.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani currently owns two fursuits: Kijani, his fursona suit, built by the Furducers [[Sema JayHawk|Semjay]] and [[Taren Nauxen]].

Kijani's first commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs. In August 2013, Kijani 2.0 was completed, created by [[Beastcub]] Creations. The new costume features 3-D "follow me" eyes, a sewn-in tail and moveable hinged jaw.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and digitigrade legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at Rainfurrest in 2009.

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[File:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 5,200 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 50,000 combined views, and a special short film series called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h61hhl-eY44 Fursuiting: For the Kids]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA6VeDA8o8c Fursuiting: For the Kids - 2nd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2yTzh6B8XQ Fursuiting: For the Kids - 4th edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7SaIpUEVTE The Magic of Fursuiting II]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at local community functions, charity events and parades. Among the many events he fursuits to every year are [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSilkp96eb0 Bothell Riverfest], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKitQIt0oDQ Issaquah Salmon Days], and an assortment of summer parades including [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeSksSIxf94 Bothell's Grand Parade].

Kijani has also co-hosted several panels, at Rainfurrest 2010-2012, on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[File:wfs13.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from When Furballs Strike 13, featuring a record 62 fursuiters and 194 total attendees. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of 12 WFS meets - held three to four times a year - with attendance rates steadily rising. The most recent, held on March 23, 2013, had a meet-record 194 attendees including 62 fursuiters and 127 bowlers from all over Western Washington as well as some guests that drove hundreds of miles from Canada, Oregon and Idaho.

When Furballs Strike features a prize raffle that gives away hundreds of dollars in gifts to meet attendees, and an after-bowling dinner party at a local Old Country Buffet restaurant.

VIDEO:

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0ctmyxmNsU When Furballs Strike 10]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qLtg959F6o When Furballs Strike 11]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq4cepsCGf0 When Furballs Strike 12]

== Furry News Network ==

Putting his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism to good use, Kijani is also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

He contributes a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters and their contributions to the world of fursuiting, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of the fandom.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])
*[[JD_Puppy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/04/j-d-puppy-april-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ April 2012])
*[[Coopertom]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/06/coopertom-june-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ June 2012])
*[[Matrices]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/08/matrices-august-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2012])
*[[Howee Husky]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/10/howee-husky-october-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2012])
*[[Oz Kangaroo]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/12/oz-kangaroo-december-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2012])
*[[Tycho Aussie]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/03/tycho-aussie-march-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ March 2013])
*[[jill0r]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/05/jill0r-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ May 2013])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

He owns one of the largest Lion King merchandise and memorabilia collections in the world, comprised of over 1,000 individual items.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of fourteen times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled eight perfect 300 games and two 800 series, and most recently recorded a 219 league average. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 120, with a high game of 155.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBRTF6K2Mog Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2010]

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

File:Kijani 2.0.jpg

2013-09-07T17:16:33Z

Kijani: A new, updated version of Kijani was created by Beastcub Creations in August 2013.

== Summary ==
A new, updated version of Kijani was created by Beastcub Creations in August 2013.
== Licensing ==
{{Cc-by-3.0}}

Kijani

2013-04-06T19:14:13Z

Kijani: /* Fursuiting Ambassador */

{{copyedit}}
'''Kijani''' (born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A. His fursona name of Kijani translates to "warrior" in the Swahili language, representing his character's ability to fight through any of life's challenges.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], he joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the University of Washington in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a sports writer for two local community newspapers and has experience as a casino dealer.

[[Image:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the Furducers of Tempe, Arizona]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 970 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006 and is unofficially the largest in the United States.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is an active member of [http://www.meetup.com/furlife FurLife: Seattle Area Furries] and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of eleven conventions: [[Rainfurrest]] 2008-2012; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012, and [[Anthrocon]] 2010, 2011 and 2012.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani currently owns two fursuits: Kijani, his fursona suit, built by the Furducers [[Sema JayHawk|Semjay]] and [[Taren Nauxen]].

Kijani's commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and digitigrade legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at Rainfurrest in 2009.

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[Image:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 4,400 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 25,000 combined views, and a special short film called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h61hhl-eY44 Fursuiting: For the Kids]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA6VeDA8o8c Fursuiting: For the Kids - 2nd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2yTzh6B8XQ Fursuiting: For the Kids - 4th edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at local community functions, charity events and parades. Among the many events he fursuits to every year are [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSilkp96eb0 Bothell Riverfest], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKitQIt0oDQ Issaquah Salmon Days], and an assortment of summer parades including [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeSksSIxf94 Bothell's Grand Parade].

Kijani has also co-hosted several panels, at Rainfurrest 2010-2012, on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[File:wfs13.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from When Furballs Strike 13, featuring a record 62 fursuiters and 194 total attendees. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of 12 WFS meets - held three to four times a year - with attendance rates steadily rising. The most recent, held on March 23, 2013, had a meet-record 194 attendees including 62 fursuiters and 127 bowlers from all over Western Washington as well as some guests that drove hundreds of miles from Canada, Oregon and Idaho.

When Furballs Strike features a prize raffle that gives away hundreds of dollars in gifts to meet attendees, and an after-bowling dinner party at a local Old Country Buffet restaurant.

VIDEO:

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0ctmyxmNsU When Furballs Strike 10]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qLtg959F6o When Furballs Strike 11]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq4cepsCGf0 When Furballs Strike 12]

== Furry News Network ==

Putting his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism to good use, Kijani is also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

He contributes a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters and their contributions to the world of fursuiting, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of the fandom.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])
*[[JD_Puppy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/04/j-d-puppy-april-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ April 2012])
*[[Coopertom]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/06/coopertom-june-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ June 2012])
*[[Matrices]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/08/matrices-august-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2012])
*[[Howee Husky]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/10/howee-husky-october-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2012])
*[[Oz Kangaroo]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/12/oz-kangaroo-december-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2012])
*[[Tycho Aussie]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/03/tycho-aussie-march-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ March 2013])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

He owns one of the largest Lion King merchandise and memorabilia collections in the world, comprised of over 1,000 individual items.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of fourteen times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled eight perfect 300 games and two 800 series, and most recently recorded a 219 league average. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 120, with a high game of 155.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBRTF6K2Mog Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2010]

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Kijani

2013-04-06T19:13:03Z

Kijani: /* When Furballs Strike */

{{copyedit}}
'''Kijani''' (born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A. His fursona name of Kijani translates to "warrior" in the Swahili language, representing his character's ability to fight through any of life's challenges.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], he joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the University of Washington in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a sports writer for two local community newspapers and has experience as a casino dealer.

[[Image:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the Furducers of Tempe, Arizona]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 970 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006 and is unofficially the largest in the United States.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is an active member of [http://www.meetup.com/furlife FurLife: Seattle Area Furries] and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of eleven conventions: [[Rainfurrest]] 2008-2012; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012, and [[Anthrocon]] 2010, 2011 and 2012.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani currently owns two fursuits: Kijani, his fursona suit, built by the Furducers [[Sema JayHawk|Semjay]] and [[Taren Nauxen]].

Kijani's commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and digitigrade legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at Rainfurrest in 2009.

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[Image:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 3,500 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 25,000 combined views, and a special short film called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h61hhl-eY44 Fursuiting: For the Kids]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA6VeDA8o8c Fursuiting: For the Kids - 2nd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2yTzh6B8XQ Fursuiting: For the Kids - 4th edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at local community functions, charity events and parades. Among the many events he fursuits to every year are [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSilkp96eb0 Bothell Riverfest], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKitQIt0oDQ Issaquah Salmon Days], and an assortment of summer parades including [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeSksSIxf94 Bothell's Grand Parade].

Kijani has also co-hosted several panels, at Rainfurrest 2010-2012, on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[File:wfs13.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from When Furballs Strike 13, featuring a record 62 fursuiters and 194 total attendees. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of 12 WFS meets - held three to four times a year - with attendance rates steadily rising. The most recent, held on March 23, 2013, had a meet-record 194 attendees including 62 fursuiters and 127 bowlers from all over Western Washington as well as some guests that drove hundreds of miles from Canada, Oregon and Idaho.

When Furballs Strike features a prize raffle that gives away hundreds of dollars in gifts to meet attendees, and an after-bowling dinner party at a local Old Country Buffet restaurant.

VIDEO:

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0ctmyxmNsU When Furballs Strike 10]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qLtg959F6o When Furballs Strike 11]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq4cepsCGf0 When Furballs Strike 12]

== Furry News Network ==

Putting his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism to good use, Kijani is also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

He contributes a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters and their contributions to the world of fursuiting, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of the fandom.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])
*[[JD_Puppy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/04/j-d-puppy-april-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ April 2012])
*[[Coopertom]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/06/coopertom-june-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ June 2012])
*[[Matrices]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/08/matrices-august-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2012])
*[[Howee Husky]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/10/howee-husky-october-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2012])
*[[Oz Kangaroo]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/12/oz-kangaroo-december-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2012])
*[[Tycho Aussie]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/03/tycho-aussie-march-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ March 2013])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

He owns one of the largest Lion King merchandise and memorabilia collections in the world, comprised of over 1,000 individual items.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of fourteen times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled eight perfect 300 games and two 800 series, and most recently recorded a 219 league average. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 120, with a high game of 155.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBRTF6K2Mog Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2010]

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Kijani

2013-04-06T19:10:49Z

Kijani: /* When Furballs Strike */

{{copyedit}}
'''Kijani''' (born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A. His fursona name of Kijani translates to "warrior" in the Swahili language, representing his character's ability to fight through any of life's challenges.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], he joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the University of Washington in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a sports writer for two local community newspapers and has experience as a casino dealer.

[[Image:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the Furducers of Tempe, Arizona]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 970 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006 and is unofficially the largest in the United States.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is an active member of [http://www.meetup.com/furlife FurLife: Seattle Area Furries] and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of eleven conventions: [[Rainfurrest]] 2008-2012; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012, and [[Anthrocon]] 2010, 2011 and 2012.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani currently owns two fursuits: Kijani, his fursona suit, built by the Furducers [[Sema JayHawk|Semjay]] and [[Taren Nauxen]].

Kijani's commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and digitigrade legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at Rainfurrest in 2009.

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[Image:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 3,500 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 25,000 combined views, and a special short film called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h61hhl-eY44 Fursuiting: For the Kids]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA6VeDA8o8c Fursuiting: For the Kids - 2nd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2yTzh6B8XQ Fursuiting: For the Kids - 4th edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at local community functions, charity events and parades. Among the many events he fursuits to every year are [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSilkp96eb0 Bothell Riverfest], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKitQIt0oDQ Issaquah Salmon Days], and an assortment of summer parades including [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeSksSIxf94 Bothell's Grand Parade].

Kijani has also co-hosted several panels, at Rainfurrest 2010-2012, on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[File:Wfs13.jpeg|right|thumb|400px|FFursuit group photo from When Furballs Strike 13, featuring a record 62 fursuiters and 194 total attendees. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of 12 WFS meets - held three to four times a year - with attendance rates steadily rising. The most recent, held on March 23, 2013, had a meet-record 194 attendees including 62 fursuiters and 127 bowlers from all over Western Washington as well as some guests that drove hundreds of miles from Canada, Oregon and Idaho.

When Furballs Strike features a prize raffle that gives away hundreds of dollars in gifts to meet attendees, and an after-bowling dinner party at a local Old Country Buffet restaurant.

VIDEO:

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0ctmyxmNsU When Furballs Strike 10]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qLtg959F6o When Furballs Strike 11]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq4cepsCGf0 When Furballs Strike 12]

== Furry News Network ==

Putting his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism to good use, Kijani is also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

He contributes a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters and their contributions to the world of fursuiting, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of the fandom.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])
*[[JD_Puppy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/04/j-d-puppy-april-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ April 2012])
*[[Coopertom]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/06/coopertom-june-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ June 2012])
*[[Matrices]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/08/matrices-august-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2012])
*[[Howee Husky]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/10/howee-husky-october-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2012])
*[[Oz Kangaroo]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/12/oz-kangaroo-december-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2012])
*[[Tycho Aussie]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/03/tycho-aussie-march-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ March 2013])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

He owns one of the largest Lion King merchandise and memorabilia collections in the world, comprised of over 1,000 individual items.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of fourteen times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled eight perfect 300 games and two 800 series, and most recently recorded a 219 league average. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 120, with a high game of 155.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBRTF6K2Mog Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2010]

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

File:Wfs13.jpg

2013-04-06T19:06:41Z

Kijani: Fursuit group photo from When Furballs Strike 13, featuring a record 62 fursuiters and 194 total attendees.

== Summary ==
Fursuit group photo from When Furballs Strike 13, featuring a record 62 fursuiters and 194 total attendees.
== Licensing ==
{{Cc-by-3.0}}

Kijani

2013-04-06T18:58:40Z

Kijani: /* Furry News Network */

{{copyedit}}
'''Kijani''' (born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A. His fursona name of Kijani translates to "warrior" in the Swahili language, representing his character's ability to fight through any of life's challenges.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], he joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the University of Washington in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a sports writer for two local community newspapers and has experience as a casino dealer.

[[Image:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the Furducers of Tempe, Arizona]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 970 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006 and is unofficially the largest in the United States.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is an active member of [http://www.meetup.com/furlife FurLife: Seattle Area Furries] and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of eleven conventions: [[Rainfurrest]] 2008-2012; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012, and [[Anthrocon]] 2010, 2011 and 2012.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani currently owns two fursuits: Kijani, his fursona suit, built by the Furducers [[Sema JayHawk|Semjay]] and [[Taren Nauxen]].

Kijani's commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and digitigrade legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at Rainfurrest in 2009.

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[Image:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 3,500 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 25,000 combined views, and a special short film called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h61hhl-eY44 Fursuiting: For the Kids]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA6VeDA8o8c Fursuiting: For the Kids - 2nd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2yTzh6B8XQ Fursuiting: For the Kids - 4th edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at local community functions, charity events and parades. Among the many events he fursuits to every year are [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSilkp96eb0 Bothell Riverfest], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKitQIt0oDQ Issaquah Salmon Days], and an assortment of summer parades including [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeSksSIxf94 Bothell's Grand Parade].

Kijani has also co-hosted several panels, at Rainfurrest 2010-2012, on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[Image:WFS_8_group_photo.jpeg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from the most recent When Furballs Strike meet, which featured 135 attendees and 43 fursuiters in total. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of 12 WFS meets - held three to four times a year - with attendance rates steadily rising. The most recent, held on March 23, 2013, had a meet-record 194 attendees including 62 fursuiters and 127 bowlers from all over Western Washington as well as some guests that drove hundreds of miles from Canada, Oregon and Idaho.

When Furballs Strike features a prize raffle that gives away hundreds of dollars in gifts to meet attendees, and an after-bowling dinner party at a local Old Country Buffet restaurant.

VIDEO:

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0ctmyxmNsU When Furballs Strike 10]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qLtg959F6o When Furballs Strike 11]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq4cepsCGf0 When Furballs Strike 12]

== Furry News Network ==

Putting his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism to good use, Kijani is also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

He contributes a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters and their contributions to the world of fursuiting, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of the fandom.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])
*[[JD_Puppy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/04/j-d-puppy-april-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ April 2012])
*[[Coopertom]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/06/coopertom-june-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ June 2012])
*[[Matrices]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/08/matrices-august-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2012])
*[[Howee Husky]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/10/howee-husky-october-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2012])
*[[Oz Kangaroo]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/12/oz-kangaroo-december-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2012])
*[[Tycho Aussie]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/03/tycho-aussie-march-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ March 2013])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

He owns one of the largest Lion King merchandise and memorabilia collections in the world, comprised of over 1,000 individual items.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of fourteen times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled eight perfect 300 games and two 800 series, and most recently recorded a 219 league average. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 120, with a high game of 155.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBRTF6K2Mog Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2010]

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Kijani

2013-04-06T18:57:49Z

Kijani: /* Hobbies */

{{copyedit}}
'''Kijani''' (born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A. His fursona name of Kijani translates to "warrior" in the Swahili language, representing his character's ability to fight through any of life's challenges.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], he joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the University of Washington in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a sports writer for two local community newspapers and has experience as a casino dealer.

[[Image:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the Furducers of Tempe, Arizona]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 970 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006 and is unofficially the largest in the United States.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is an active member of [http://www.meetup.com/furlife FurLife: Seattle Area Furries] and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of eleven conventions: [[Rainfurrest]] 2008-2012; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012, and [[Anthrocon]] 2010, 2011 and 2012.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani currently owns two fursuits: Kijani, his fursona suit, built by the Furducers [[Sema JayHawk|Semjay]] and [[Taren Nauxen]].

Kijani's commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and digitigrade legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at Rainfurrest in 2009.

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[Image:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 3,500 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 25,000 combined views, and a special short film called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h61hhl-eY44 Fursuiting: For the Kids]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA6VeDA8o8c Fursuiting: For the Kids - 2nd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2yTzh6B8XQ Fursuiting: For the Kids - 4th edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at local community functions, charity events and parades. Among the many events he fursuits to every year are [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSilkp96eb0 Bothell Riverfest], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKitQIt0oDQ Issaquah Salmon Days], and an assortment of summer parades including [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeSksSIxf94 Bothell's Grand Parade].

Kijani has also co-hosted several panels, at Rainfurrest 2010-2012, on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[Image:WFS_8_group_photo.jpeg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from the most recent When Furballs Strike meet, which featured 135 attendees and 43 fursuiters in total. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of 12 WFS meets - held three to four times a year - with attendance rates steadily rising. The most recent, held on March 23, 2013, had a meet-record 194 attendees including 62 fursuiters and 127 bowlers from all over Western Washington as well as some guests that drove hundreds of miles from Canada, Oregon and Idaho.

When Furballs Strike features a prize raffle that gives away hundreds of dollars in gifts to meet attendees, and an after-bowling dinner party at a local Old Country Buffet restaurant.

VIDEO:

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0ctmyxmNsU When Furballs Strike 10]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qLtg959F6o When Furballs Strike 11]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq4cepsCGf0 When Furballs Strike 12]

== Furry News Network ==

Putting his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism to good use, Kijani is also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

He contributes a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters and their contributions to the world of fursuiting, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of the fandom.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])
*[[JD_Puppy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/04/j-d-puppy-april-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ April 2012])
*[[Coopertom]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/06/coopertom-june-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ June 2012])
*[[Matrices]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/08/matrices-august-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2012])
*[[Howee Husky] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/10/howee-husky-october-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2012])
*[[Oz Kangaroo]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/12/oz-kangaroo-december-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2012])
*[[Tycho Aussie]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/03/tycho-aussie-march-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ March 2013])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

He owns one of the largest Lion King merchandise and memorabilia collections in the world, comprised of over 1,000 individual items.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of fourteen times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled eight perfect 300 games and two 800 series, and most recently recorded a 219 league average. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 120, with a high game of 155.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBRTF6K2Mog Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2010]

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Kijani

2013-04-06T18:56:24Z

Kijani: /* Furry News Network */

{{copyedit}}
'''Kijani''' (born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A. His fursona name of Kijani translates to "warrior" in the Swahili language, representing his character's ability to fight through any of life's challenges.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], he joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the University of Washington in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a sports writer for two local community newspapers and has experience as a casino dealer.

[[Image:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the Furducers of Tempe, Arizona]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 970 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006 and is unofficially the largest in the United States.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is an active member of [http://www.meetup.com/furlife FurLife: Seattle Area Furries] and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of eleven conventions: [[Rainfurrest]] 2008-2012; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012, and [[Anthrocon]] 2010, 2011 and 2012.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani currently owns two fursuits: Kijani, his fursona suit, built by the Furducers [[Sema JayHawk|Semjay]] and [[Taren Nauxen]].

Kijani's commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and digitigrade legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at Rainfurrest in 2009.

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[Image:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 3,500 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 25,000 combined views, and a special short film called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h61hhl-eY44 Fursuiting: For the Kids]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA6VeDA8o8c Fursuiting: For the Kids - 2nd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2yTzh6B8XQ Fursuiting: For the Kids - 4th edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at local community functions, charity events and parades. Among the many events he fursuits to every year are [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSilkp96eb0 Bothell Riverfest], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKitQIt0oDQ Issaquah Salmon Days], and an assortment of summer parades including [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeSksSIxf94 Bothell's Grand Parade].

Kijani has also co-hosted several panels, at Rainfurrest 2010-2012, on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[Image:WFS_8_group_photo.jpeg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from the most recent When Furballs Strike meet, which featured 135 attendees and 43 fursuiters in total. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of 12 WFS meets - held three to four times a year - with attendance rates steadily rising. The most recent, held on March 23, 2013, had a meet-record 194 attendees including 62 fursuiters and 127 bowlers from all over Western Washington as well as some guests that drove hundreds of miles from Canada, Oregon and Idaho.

When Furballs Strike features a prize raffle that gives away hundreds of dollars in gifts to meet attendees, and an after-bowling dinner party at a local Old Country Buffet restaurant.

VIDEO:

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0ctmyxmNsU When Furballs Strike 10]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qLtg959F6o When Furballs Strike 11]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq4cepsCGf0 When Furballs Strike 12]

== Furry News Network ==

Putting his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism to good use, Kijani is also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

He contributes a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters and their contributions to the world of fursuiting, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of the fandom.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])
*[[JD_Puppy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/04/j-d-puppy-april-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ April 2012])
*[[Coopertom]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/06/coopertom-june-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ June 2012])
*[[Matrices]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/08/matrices-august-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2012])
*[[Howee Husky] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/10/howee-husky-october-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2012])
*[[Oz Kangaroo]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/12/oz-kangaroo-december-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2012])
*[[Tycho Aussie]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2013/03/tycho-aussie-march-2013-featured-fursuiter-month/ March 2013])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of fourteen times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled eight perfect 300 games and two 800 series, and most recently recorded a 219 league average. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 120, with a high game of 155.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBRTF6K2Mog Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2010]

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Kijani

2013-04-06T18:47:49Z

Kijani: /* When Furballs Strike */

{{copyedit}}
'''Kijani''' (born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A. His fursona name of Kijani translates to "warrior" in the Swahili language, representing his character's ability to fight through any of life's challenges.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], he joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the University of Washington in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a sports writer for two local community newspapers and has experience as a casino dealer.

[[Image:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the Furducers of Tempe, Arizona]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 970 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006 and is unofficially the largest in the United States.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is an active member of [http://www.meetup.com/furlife FurLife: Seattle Area Furries] and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of eleven conventions: [[Rainfurrest]] 2008-2012; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012, and [[Anthrocon]] 2010, 2011 and 2012.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani currently owns two fursuits: Kijani, his fursona suit, built by the Furducers [[Sema JayHawk|Semjay]] and [[Taren Nauxen]].

Kijani's commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and digitigrade legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at Rainfurrest in 2009.

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[Image:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 3,500 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 25,000 combined views, and a special short film called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h61hhl-eY44 Fursuiting: For the Kids]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA6VeDA8o8c Fursuiting: For the Kids - 2nd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2yTzh6B8XQ Fursuiting: For the Kids - 4th edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at local community functions, charity events and parades. Among the many events he fursuits to every year are [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSilkp96eb0 Bothell Riverfest], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKitQIt0oDQ Issaquah Salmon Days], and an assortment of summer parades including [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeSksSIxf94 Bothell's Grand Parade].

Kijani has also co-hosted several panels, at Rainfurrest 2010-2012, on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[Image:WFS_8_group_photo.jpeg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from the most recent When Furballs Strike meet, which featured 135 attendees and 43 fursuiters in total. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of 12 WFS meets - held three to four times a year - with attendance rates steadily rising. The most recent, held on March 23, 2013, had a meet-record 194 attendees including 62 fursuiters and 127 bowlers from all over Western Washington as well as some guests that drove hundreds of miles from Canada, Oregon and Idaho.

When Furballs Strike features a prize raffle that gives away hundreds of dollars in gifts to meet attendees, and an after-bowling dinner party at a local Old Country Buffet restaurant.

VIDEO:

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0ctmyxmNsU When Furballs Strike 10]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qLtg959F6o When Furballs Strike 11]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq4cepsCGf0 When Furballs Strike 12]

== Furry News Network ==

As a journalist in his real-life job, Kijani is also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

He contributes a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters and their contributions to the world of fursuiting, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of the fandom.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])
*[[JD_Puppy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/04/j-d-puppy-april-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ April 2012])
*[[Coopertom]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/06/coopertom-june-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ June 2012])
*[[Matrices]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/08/matrices-august-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2012])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of fourteen times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled eight perfect 300 games and two 800 series, and most recently recorded a 219 league average. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 120, with a high game of 155.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBRTF6K2Mog Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2010]

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Kijani

2013-04-06T18:45:46Z

Kijani: /* Fursuiting Ambassador */

{{copyedit}}
'''Kijani''' (born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A. His fursona name of Kijani translates to "warrior" in the Swahili language, representing his character's ability to fight through any of life's challenges.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], he joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the University of Washington in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a sports writer for two local community newspapers and has experience as a casino dealer.

[[Image:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the Furducers of Tempe, Arizona]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 970 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006 and is unofficially the largest in the United States.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is an active member of [http://www.meetup.com/furlife FurLife: Seattle Area Furries] and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of eleven conventions: [[Rainfurrest]] 2008-2012; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012, and [[Anthrocon]] 2010, 2011 and 2012.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani currently owns two fursuits: Kijani, his fursona suit, built by the Furducers [[Sema JayHawk|Semjay]] and [[Taren Nauxen]].

Kijani's commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and digitigrade legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at Rainfurrest in 2009.

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[Image:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 3,500 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 25,000 combined views, and a special short film called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h61hhl-eY44 Fursuiting: For the Kids]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA6VeDA8o8c Fursuiting: For the Kids - 2nd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2yTzh6B8XQ Fursuiting: For the Kids - 4th edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at local community functions, charity events and parades. Among the many events he fursuits to every year are [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSilkp96eb0 Bothell Riverfest], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKitQIt0oDQ Issaquah Salmon Days], and an assortment of summer parades including [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeSksSIxf94 Bothell's Grand Parade].

Kijani has also co-hosted several panels, at Rainfurrest 2010-2012, on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[Image:WFS_8_group_photo.jpeg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from the most recent When Furballs Strike meet, which featured 135 attendees and 43 fursuiters in total. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of ten WFS meets - held three to four times a year - with attendance rates steadily rising. The most recent, held on August 25 2012, had a meet-record 177 attendees including 48 fursuiters and 108 bowlers from all over Western Washington as well as some guests that drove hundreds of miles from Canada, Oregon and Idaho.

When Furballs Strike features a prize raffle that gives away hundreds of dollars in gifts to meet attendees, and an after-bowling dinner party at a local Old Country Buffet restaurant.

VIDEO:

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0ctmyxmNsU When Furballs Strike 10]

== Furry News Network ==

As a journalist in his real-life job, Kijani is also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

He contributes a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters and their contributions to the world of fursuiting, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of the fandom.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])
*[[JD_Puppy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/04/j-d-puppy-april-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ April 2012])
*[[Coopertom]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/06/coopertom-june-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ June 2012])
*[[Matrices]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/08/matrices-august-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2012])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of fourteen times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled eight perfect 300 games and two 800 series, and most recently recorded a 219 league average. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 120, with a high game of 155.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBRTF6K2Mog Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2010]

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Kijani

2012-09-22T23:29:53Z

Kijani: /* Furry News Network */

{{copyedit}}
'''Kijani''' (born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A. His fursona name of Kijani translates to "warrior" in the Swahili language, representing his character's ability to fight through any of life's challenges.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], he joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the University of Washington in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a sports writer for two local community newspapers and has experience as a casino dealer.

[[Image:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the Furducers of Tempe, Arizona]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 970 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006 and is unofficially the largest in the United States.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is an active member of [http://www.meetup.com/furlife FurLife: Seattle Area Furries] and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of eleven conventions: [[Rainfurrest]] 2008-2012; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012, and [[Anthrocon]] 2010, 2011 and 2012.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani currently owns two fursuits: Kijani, his fursona suit, built by the Furducers [[Sema JayHawk|Semjay]] and [[Taren Nauxen]].

Kijani's commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and digitigrade legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at Rainfurrest in 2009.

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[Image:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 3,500 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 25,000 combined views, and a special short film called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h61hhl-eY44 Fursuiting: For the Kids]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA6VeDA8o8c Fursuiting: For the Kids - 2nd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at community and charity events under the banner of Anthropaws, his friend Ithabise's fursuit building company. Among the many events he fursuits to every year are [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSilkp96eb0 Bothell Riverfest], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKitQIt0oDQ Issaquah Salmon Days], and an assortment of summer parades including [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeSksSIxf94 Bothell's Grand Parade].

Kijani has also co-hosted several panels, at Rainfurrest in 2010 and 2011, on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[Image:WFS_8_group_photo.jpeg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from the most recent When Furballs Strike meet, which featured 135 attendees and 43 fursuiters in total. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of ten WFS meets - held three to four times a year - with attendance rates steadily rising. The most recent, held on August 25 2012, had a meet-record 177 attendees including 48 fursuiters and 108 bowlers from all over Western Washington as well as some guests that drove hundreds of miles from Canada, Oregon and Idaho.

When Furballs Strike features a prize raffle that gives away hundreds of dollars in gifts to meet attendees, and an after-bowling dinner party at a local Old Country Buffet restaurant.

VIDEO:

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0ctmyxmNsU When Furballs Strike 10]

== Furry News Network ==

As a journalist in his real-life job, Kijani is also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

He contributes a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters and their contributions to the world of fursuiting, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of the fandom.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])
*[[JD_Puppy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/04/j-d-puppy-april-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ April 2012])
*[[Coopertom]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/06/coopertom-june-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ June 2012])
*[[Matrices]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/08/matrices-august-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2012])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of fourteen times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled eight perfect 300 games and two 800 series, and most recently recorded a 219 league average. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 120, with a high game of 155.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBRTF6K2Mog Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2010]

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Kijani

2012-09-22T23:28:58Z

Kijani: /* Furry News Network */

{{copyedit}}
'''Kijani''' (born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A. His fursona name of Kijani translates to "warrior" in the Swahili language, representing his character's ability to fight through any of life's challenges.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], he joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the University of Washington in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a sports writer for two local community newspapers and has experience as a casino dealer.

[[Image:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the Furducers of Tempe, Arizona]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 970 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006 and is unofficially the largest in the United States.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is an active member of [http://www.meetup.com/furlife FurLife: Seattle Area Furries] and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of eleven conventions: [[Rainfurrest]] 2008-2012; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012, and [[Anthrocon]] 2010, 2011 and 2012.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani currently owns two fursuits: Kijani, his fursona suit, built by the Furducers [[Sema JayHawk|Semjay]] and [[Taren Nauxen]].

Kijani's commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and digitigrade legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at Rainfurrest in 2009.

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[Image:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 3,500 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 25,000 combined views, and a special short film called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h61hhl-eY44 Fursuiting: For the Kids]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA6VeDA8o8c Fursuiting: For the Kids - 2nd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at community and charity events under the banner of Anthropaws, his friend Ithabise's fursuit building company. Among the many events he fursuits to every year are [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSilkp96eb0 Bothell Riverfest], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKitQIt0oDQ Issaquah Salmon Days], and an assortment of summer parades including [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeSksSIxf94 Bothell's Grand Parade].

Kijani has also co-hosted several panels, at Rainfurrest in 2010 and 2011, on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[Image:WFS_8_group_photo.jpeg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from the most recent When Furballs Strike meet, which featured 135 attendees and 43 fursuiters in total. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of ten WFS meets - held three to four times a year - with attendance rates steadily rising. The most recent, held on August 25 2012, had a meet-record 177 attendees including 48 fursuiters and 108 bowlers from all over Western Washington as well as some guests that drove hundreds of miles from Canada, Oregon and Idaho.

When Furballs Strike features a prize raffle that gives away hundreds of dollars in gifts to meet attendees, and an after-bowling dinner party at a local Old Country Buffet restaurant.

VIDEO:

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0ctmyxmNsU When Furballs Strike 10]

== Furry News Network ==

As a journalist in his real-life job, Kijani is also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

He contributes a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters and their contributions to the world of fursuiting, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of the fandom.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])
*[[J.D. Puppy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/04/j-d-puppy-april-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ April 2012])
*[[Coopertom]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/06/coopertom-june-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ June 2012])
*[[Matrices]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/08/matrices-august-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2012])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of fourteen times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled eight perfect 300 games and two 800 series, and most recently recorded a 219 league average. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 120, with a high game of 155.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBRTF6K2Mog Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2010]

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Kijani

2012-09-22T23:23:46Z

Kijani: /* When Furballs Strike */

{{copyedit}}
'''Kijani''' (born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A. His fursona name of Kijani translates to "warrior" in the Swahili language, representing his character's ability to fight through any of life's challenges.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], he joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the University of Washington in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a sports writer for two local community newspapers and has experience as a casino dealer.

[[Image:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the Furducers of Tempe, Arizona]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 970 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006 and is unofficially the largest in the United States.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is an active member of [http://www.meetup.com/furlife FurLife: Seattle Area Furries] and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of eleven conventions: [[Rainfurrest]] 2008-2012; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012, and [[Anthrocon]] 2010, 2011 and 2012.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani currently owns two fursuits: Kijani, his fursona suit, built by the Furducers [[Sema JayHawk|Semjay]] and [[Taren Nauxen]].

Kijani's commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and digitigrade legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at Rainfurrest in 2009.

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[Image:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 3,500 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 25,000 combined views, and a special short film called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h61hhl-eY44 Fursuiting: For the Kids]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA6VeDA8o8c Fursuiting: For the Kids - 2nd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at community and charity events under the banner of Anthropaws, his friend Ithabise's fursuit building company. Among the many events he fursuits to every year are [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSilkp96eb0 Bothell Riverfest], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKitQIt0oDQ Issaquah Salmon Days], and an assortment of summer parades including [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeSksSIxf94 Bothell's Grand Parade].

Kijani has also co-hosted several panels, at Rainfurrest in 2010 and 2011, on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[Image:WFS_8_group_photo.jpeg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from the most recent When Furballs Strike meet, which featured 135 attendees and 43 fursuiters in total. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of ten WFS meets - held three to four times a year - with attendance rates steadily rising. The most recent, held on August 25 2012, had a meet-record 177 attendees including 48 fursuiters and 108 bowlers from all over Western Washington as well as some guests that drove hundreds of miles from Canada, Oregon and Idaho.

When Furballs Strike features a prize raffle that gives away hundreds of dollars in gifts to meet attendees, and an after-bowling dinner party at a local Old Country Buffet restaurant.

VIDEO:

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0ctmyxmNsU When Furballs Strike 10]

== Furry News Network ==

As a journalist in his real-life job, Kijani is also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

He contributes a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of fursuiting.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of fourteen times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled eight perfect 300 games and two 800 series, and most recently recorded a 219 league average. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 120, with a high game of 155.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBRTF6K2Mog Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2010]

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Kijani

2012-09-22T23:20:39Z

Kijani: /* Fursuiting Ambassador */

{{copyedit}}
'''Kijani''' (born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A. His fursona name of Kijani translates to "warrior" in the Swahili language, representing his character's ability to fight through any of life's challenges.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], he joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the University of Washington in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a sports writer for two local community newspapers and has experience as a casino dealer.

[[Image:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the Furducers of Tempe, Arizona]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 970 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006 and is unofficially the largest in the United States.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is an active member of [http://www.meetup.com/furlife FurLife: Seattle Area Furries] and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of eleven conventions: [[Rainfurrest]] 2008-2012; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012, and [[Anthrocon]] 2010, 2011 and 2012.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani currently owns two fursuits: Kijani, his fursona suit, built by the Furducers [[Sema JayHawk|Semjay]] and [[Taren Nauxen]].

Kijani's commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and digitigrade legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at Rainfurrest in 2009.

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[Image:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With over 3,500 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 25,000 combined views, and a special short film called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h61hhl-eY44 Fursuiting: For the Kids]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA6VeDA8o8c Fursuiting: For the Kids - 2nd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at community and charity events under the banner of Anthropaws, his friend Ithabise's fursuit building company. Among the many events he fursuits to every year are [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSilkp96eb0 Bothell Riverfest], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKitQIt0oDQ Issaquah Salmon Days], and an assortment of summer parades including [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeSksSIxf94 Bothell's Grand Parade].

Kijani has also co-hosted several panels, at Rainfurrest in 2010 and 2011, on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[Image:WFS_8_group_photo.jpeg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from the most recent When Furballs Strike meet, which featured 135 attendees and 43 fursuiters in total. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of eight WFS meets - held three to four times a year - with attendance rates steadily rising. The most recent, held on January 28, 2012, had a meet-record 135 attendees including 43 fursuiters and nearly 100 bowlers from all over Western Washington as well as some guests from Canada and Oregon.

VIDEO:

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPD48C2Gjnk When Furballs Strike 8]

== Furry News Network ==

As a journalist in his real-life job, Kijani is also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

He contributes a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of fursuiting.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of fourteen times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled eight perfect 300 games and two 800 series, and most recently recorded a 219 league average. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 120, with a high game of 155.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBRTF6K2Mog Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2010]

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Kijani

2012-09-22T23:18:20Z

Kijani: /* Bio/Furry history */

{{copyedit}}
'''Kijani''' (born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A. His fursona name of Kijani translates to "warrior" in the Swahili language, representing his character's ability to fight through any of life's challenges.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], he joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the University of Washington in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a sports writer for two local community newspapers and has experience as a casino dealer.

[[Image:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the Furducers of Tempe, Arizona]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 970 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006 and is unofficially the largest in the United States.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is an active member of [http://www.meetup.com/furlife FurLife: Seattle Area Furries] and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of eleven conventions: [[Rainfurrest]] 2008-2012; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012, and [[Anthrocon]] 2010, 2011 and 2012.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani currently owns two fursuits: Kijani, his fursona suit, built by the Furducers [[Sema JayHawk|Semjay]] and [[Taren Nauxen]].

Kijani's commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and digitigrade legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at Rainfurrest in 2009.

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[Image:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With nearly 3,000 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 25,000 combined views, and a special short film called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h61hhl-eY44 Fursuiting: For the Kids]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA6VeDA8o8c Fursuiting: For the Kids - 2nd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at community and charity events under the banner of Anthropaws, his friend Ithabise's fursuit building company. Among the many events he fursuits to every year are [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSilkp96eb0 Bothell Riverfest], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKitQIt0oDQ Issaquah Salmon Days], and an assortment of summer parades including [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx-4Z9ZyvIM Bothell's Grand Parade].

Kijani has also co-hosted several panels, at Rainfurrest in 2010 and 2011, on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[Image:WFS_8_group_photo.jpeg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from the most recent When Furballs Strike meet, which featured 135 attendees and 43 fursuiters in total. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of eight WFS meets - held three to four times a year - with attendance rates steadily rising. The most recent, held on January 28, 2012, had a meet-record 135 attendees including 43 fursuiters and nearly 100 bowlers from all over Western Washington as well as some guests from Canada and Oregon.

VIDEO:

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPD48C2Gjnk When Furballs Strike 8]

== Furry News Network ==

As a journalist in his real-life job, Kijani is also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

He contributes a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of fursuiting.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of fourteen times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled eight perfect 300 games and two 800 series, and most recently recorded a 219 league average. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 120, with a high game of 155.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBRTF6K2Mog Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2010]

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Kijani

2012-02-08T09:12:29Z

Kijani: /* Bowling */

'''Kijani''' (born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A. His fursona name of Kijani translates to "warrior" in the Swahili language, representing his character's ability to fight through any of life's challenges.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], he joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the University of Washington in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a sports writer for two local community newspapers and has experience as a casino dealer.

[[Image:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the Furducers of Tempe, Arizona]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 970 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006 and is unofficially the largest in the United States.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is an active member of [http://www.meetup.com/furlife FurLife: Seattle Area Furries] and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of nine conventions: [[Rainfurrest]] 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012, and [[Anthrocon]] 2010 and 2011.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani currently owns two fursuits: Kijani, his fursona suit, built by the Furducers [[Sema JayHawk|Semjay]] and [[Taren Nauxen]].

Kijani's commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and digitigrade legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at Rainfurrest in 2009.

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[Image:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With nearly 3,000 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 25,000 combined views, and a special short film called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h61hhl-eY44 Fursuiting: For the Kids]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA6VeDA8o8c Fursuiting: For the Kids - 2nd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at community and charity events under the banner of Anthropaws, his friend Ithabise's fursuit building company. Among the many events he fursuits to every year are [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSilkp96eb0 Bothell Riverfest], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKitQIt0oDQ Issaquah Salmon Days], and an assortment of summer parades including [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx-4Z9ZyvIM Bothell's Grand Parade].

Kijani has also co-hosted several panels, at Rainfurrest in 2010 and 2011, on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[Image:WFS_8_group_photo.jpeg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from the most recent When Furballs Strike meet, which featured 135 attendees and 43 fursuiters in total. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of eight WFS meets - held three to four times a year - with attendance rates steadily rising. The most recent, held on January 28, 2012, had a meet-record 135 attendees including 43 fursuiters and nearly 100 bowlers from all over Western Washington as well as some guests from Canada and Oregon.

VIDEO:

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPD48C2Gjnk When Furballs Strike 8]

== Furry News Network ==

As a journalist in his real-life job, Kijani is also a volunteer staff writer for the [[Furry News Network]].

He contributes a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of fursuiting.

;Featured fursuiters
*[[Yippee Coyote]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ July 2011])
*[[Dogbomb]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ August 2011])
*[[Nicodemus Rat]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ September 2011])
*[[Kiwa Lyon]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ October 2011])
*[[Bucktown Tiger]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ December 2011])
*[[Skroy]] ([http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ February 2012])

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of fourteen times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled eight perfect 300 games and two 800 series, and most recently recorded a 219 league average. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 120, with a high game of 155.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBRTF6K2Mog Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2010]

== External links ==
{{Contributor|Kijani Lion}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Kijani

2012-02-08T09:05:19Z

Kijani: /* Furry News Network */

'''Kijani''' (born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A. His fursona name of Kijani translates to "warrior" in the Swahili language, representing his character's ability to fight through any of life's challenges.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], he joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the University of Washington in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a sports writer for two local community newspapers and has experience as a casino dealer.

[[Image:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the Furducers of Tempe, Arizona]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 970 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006 and is unofficially the largest in the United States.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is an active member of [http://www.meetup.com/furlife FurLife: Seattle Area Furries] and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of nine conventions: [[Rainfurrest]] 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012, and [[Anthrocon]] 2010 and 2011.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani currently owns two fursuits: Kijani, his fursona suit, built by the Furducers [[Sema JayHawk|Semjay]] and [[Taren Nauxen]].

Kijani's commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and digitigrade legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at Rainfurrest in 2009.

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[Image:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With nearly 3,000 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 25,000 combined views, and a special short film called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h61hhl-eY44 Fursuiting: For the Kids]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA6VeDA8o8c Fursuiting: For the Kids - 2nd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at community and charity events under the banner of Anthropaws, his friend Ithabise's fursuit building company. Among the many events he fursuits to every year are [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSilkp96eb0 Bothell Riverfest], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKitQIt0oDQ Issaquah Salmon Days], and an assortment of summer parades including [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx-4Z9ZyvIM Bothell's Grand Parade].

Kijani has also co-hosted several panels, at Rainfurrest in 2010 and 2011, on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[Image:WFS_8_group_photo.jpeg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from the most recent When Furballs Strike meet, which featured 135 attendees and 43 fursuiters in total. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of eight WFS meets - held three to four times a year - with attendance rates steadily rising. The most recent, held on January 28, 2012, had a meet-record 135 attendees including 43 fursuiters and nearly 100 bowlers from all over Western Washington as well as some guests from Canada and Oregon.

VIDEO:

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPD48C2Gjnk When Furballs Strike 8]

== Furry News Network ==

As a journalist in his real-life job, Kijani is also a volunteer staff writer for the [http://en.wikifur.com/wiki/FNN| Furry News Network].

He contributes a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" for which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of fursuiting.

[http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ Yippee Coyote - July 2011]

[http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ Dogbomb - August 2011]

[http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ Nicodemus Rat - September 2011]

[http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ Kiwa Lyon - October 2011]

[http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ Bucktown Tiger - December 2011]

[http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ Skroy - February 2012]

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of fourteen times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled eight perfect 300 games and two 800 series. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 120, with a high game of 155.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBRTF6K2Mog Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2010]

== External links ==
{{Contributor|Kijani Lion}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

Kijani

2012-02-08T09:03:40Z

Kijani: /* External links */

'''Kijani''' (born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A. His fursona name of Kijani translates to "warrior" in the Swahili language, representing his character's ability to fight through any of life's challenges.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], he joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the University of Washington in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a sports writer for two local community newspapers and has experience as a casino dealer.

[[Image:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the Furducers of Tempe, Arizona]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 970 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006 and is unofficially the largest in the United States.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is an active member of [http://www.meetup.com/furlife FurLife: Seattle Area Furries] and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of nine conventions: [[Rainfurrest]] 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012, and [[Anthrocon]] 2010 and 2011.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani currently owns two fursuits: Kijani, his fursona suit, built by the Furducers [[Sema JayHawk|Semjay]] and [[Taren Nauxen]].

Kijani's commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and digitigrade legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at Rainfurrest in 2009.

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[Image:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With nearly 3,000 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 25,000 combined views, and a special short film called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h61hhl-eY44 Fursuiting: For the Kids]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA6VeDA8o8c Fursuiting: For the Kids - 2nd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at community and charity events under the banner of Anthropaws, his friend Ithabise's fursuit building company. Among the many events he fursuits to every year are [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSilkp96eb0 Bothell Riverfest], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKitQIt0oDQ Issaquah Salmon Days], and an assortment of summer parades including [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx-4Z9ZyvIM Bothell's Grand Parade].

Kijani has also co-hosted several panels, at Rainfurrest in 2010 and 2011, on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[Image:WFS_8_group_photo.jpeg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from the most recent When Furballs Strike meet, which featured 135 attendees and 43 fursuiters in total. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of eight WFS meets - held three to four times a year - with attendance rates steadily rising. The most recent, held on January 28, 2012, had a meet-record 135 attendees including 43 fursuiters and nearly 100 bowlers from all over Western Washington as well as some guests from Canada and Oregon.

VIDEO:

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPD48C2Gjnk When Furballs Strike 8]

== Furry News Network ==

As a journalist in his real-life job, Kijani is also a volunteer staff writer for the [http://en.wikifur.com/wiki/FNN| Furry News Network].

He contributes a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" in which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of fursuiting.

[http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ Yippee Coyote - July 2011]

[http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ Dogbomb - August 2011]

[http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ Nicodemus Rat - September 2011]

[http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ Kiwa Lyon - October 2011]

[http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ Bucktown Tiger - December 2011]

[http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ Skroy - February 2012]

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of fourteen times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled eight perfect 300 games and two 800 series. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 120, with a high game of 155.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBRTF6K2Mog Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2010]

== External links ==
{{Contributor|Kijani Lion}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing videos from public fursuit outings, local fur meets and conventions over the years.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

User talk:GreenReaper

2012-02-08T08:59:44Z

Kijani: /* Merge Kijani/Kijani Lion */ new section

{{User talk:GreenReaper/Header}}

== Bots ==

Is there anyway to have a bot put ContributorU on user pages, at least the ones with a matching article name? Or, perhaps, one that puts welcome templates on the talk pages of new users? [[File:Scalesona.jpg|40x40px]][[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]] 19:53, 22 June 2011 (EDT)
:Both of those are technically feasible, but the first would require writing a bot script and assumes they are the same person, while I'm not sure the second is a good idea in general. Welcomes are at best rather impersonal if you have a bot do them, and at worst end up looking stupid when you start welcoming vandals (faking the last admin to edit signing it only makes it worse, as seen at Wikia). --[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]([[User talk:GreenReaper|talk]]) 20:01, 22 June 2011 (EDT)
::All right. Just a thought I had and thought I'd ask about. [[File:Scalesona.jpg|40x40px]][[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]] 20:13, 22 June 2011 (EDT)

== Questions ==

What do you define the difference between a [[fursuit]] and an [[wikipedia:animal costume|animal costume]]? The subject has come up at [[wikipedia:Talk:Fursuit#Explanation of edits undone|Wikiepdia's fursuit article]], but I'm a rather poor debater, and feel my opinion is pretty closed-minded. My opinion is that a fursuit is only a fursuit if associated with furry, otherwise, it's an animal or mascot costume. However, I know that some feel an animal costume is a fursuit, and the two are synonymous. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on this. [[File:Scalesona.jpg|40x40px]][[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]] 12:43, 28 June 2011 (EDT)

:As it happens I was already reading that discussion. I think my response would be much the same as yours - certainly, animal costumes existed, but they were not used for the same reasons, nor (apparently) called the same thing. I might respond there, but I'm a little busy at work now. --[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]([[User talk:GreenReaper|talk]]) 12:49, 28 June 2011 (EDT)

Also, whenever I try to edit a section or add a new section, the wiki tries to replace the entire text with the section. Any thoughts on why this is? It may have something to do with the fact that I am using Internet Explorer, which gives me problems in general on this Wiki. [[File:Scalesona.jpg|40x40px]][[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]] 12:45, 28 June 2011 (EDT)

:What version of IE is it? Does it happen if you do turn off the advanced editing functions in [[Special:Preferences|preferences]] so that you no longer have the WikiEditor toolbar showing? --[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]([[User talk:GreenReaper|talk]]) 12:49, 28 June 2011 (EDT)

+ ::It's the newest version. The only difference between the newest version and the older one (which I used on my PC) is that this allows me to edit, as long as I do not scroll down the page, whereas the older would simply lock up my computer if I even went to an edit page. The only way I am able to edit on this laptop I often use is by typing without scrolling too much, and then clicking the "Changes" tab, where it allows me to scroll down to click save. I have just turned off the advanced editing functions, and it still did it. [[File:Scalesona.jpg|40x40px]][[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]] 13:03, 28 June 2011 (EDT)

== Disregard the email I just sent ==

You took care of it. [[File:Scalesona.jpg|40x40px]][[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]] 21:44, 2 July 2011 (EDT)

Actually, now might be a good time to ask. I'd like to be able to fight vandalism with greater ease. And while it wouldn't have helped much in this last situation, would it be too much of me to request rollback privelages? [[File:Scalesona.jpg|40x40px]][[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]] 21:55, 2 July 2011 (EDT)

:Sure. --[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]([[User talk:GreenReaper|talk]]) 22:01, 2 July 2011 (EDT)

Wow, really? I was honestly expecting a "I'm sorry, but..." (Especially considering my recent ousting as an EDiot.) Thanks! [[File:Scalesona.jpg|40x40px]][[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]] 22:06, 2 July 2011 (EDT)

:Just keep in mind [[Wikipedia:Vandalism#What is not vandalism|what is not vandalism]]. --[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]([[User talk:GreenReaper|talk]]) 22:08, 2 July 2011 (EDT)

== wikifur.ru ==

[[:ru:ВикиФур:Портал_сообщества#wikifur.ru|WikiFur:Community_Portal#wikifur.ru]] — There is a discussion of domain and copyright protection (trademarks). --[[User:Dokatamaru|'''SHREW''']] 22:00, 8 July 2011 (EDT)
:''Responded''. --[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]([[User talk:GreenReaper|talk]]) 00:19, 9 July 2011 (EDT)

== Altering/deleting species profile ==

After a few years of it being there, I suddenly found a user "Spirou" putting my Monoceros page up for deletion. When I undid his edit and asked why, he deleted it in its entirety and replaced it with a 'redirect'.

Just curious why I was singled out. Or are all http://en.wikifur.com/wiki/Category:Fictional_species pages due to to be similarly deleted/redirected if any single WikiFur editor decides that a 'custom species' isn't to his or her liking? If you're nuking all of them, then no worries, I understand. But if it's just this page, I'd really like to know why.

There are multiple monoceri played online, and yes, I've referred others (esp. on SpheresMU*) to that page for reference. Just because no others of them are WikiFur members with their own page yet doesn't mean that the fictional species entry for monoceri should be deleted. Some fairness or explanation would be highly appreciated. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by [[User:Tugrik|Tugrik]] ([[User talk:Tugrik|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Tugrik|contribs]]) .

:''Discussion continued at [[Talk:Monoceros]].'' --[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]([[User talk:GreenReaper|talk]]) 10:39, 13 July 2011 (EDT)

== AFF postings ==

Mr Reaper, please do not mention my name at Flayrah.com when linking to AFF postings I made. I do not wish for my name to appear anywhere on that site. -- Oliver

:''Replied via email, after figuring out what posts was being talked about. Note: Flayrah has its own [http://www.flayrah.com/contact contact page].'' --[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]([[User talk:GreenReaper|talk]]) 10:39, 13 July 2011 (EDT)

== Policy Question ==

Do I need permission to write an article about somebody or could I create a stub based off of information on someone simply based off of their FurAffinity information? [[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]][[User talk:Equivamp|talk]] 12:17, 14 July 2011 (EDT)
:Anyone can start an article on any topic, unless a personal exclusion is in effect. --[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]([[User talk:GreenReaper|talk]]) 12:32, 14 July 2011 (EDT)

== This has nothing to do with me ==

I don't want Meepsheep here any more than you if he acts like this. [[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]][[User talk:Equivamp|talk]] 02:17, 17 July 2011 (EDT)

== Hello ==

There is a discussion that needs your attention at [[Talk:Encyclopædia Dramatica (.ch)]] <[[User:Ô|o]]> 03:58, 26 July 2011 (EDT)
:I skimmed over it a few minutes ago, but it didn't seem like any consensus had been formed as to do anything that would require a [[WikiFur:Curators|curator]]. The editing community as a whole makes the decision here, we just facilitate them, so you'll need to try to work things out with the regular editors of that article rather than appealing to authority. --[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]([[User talk:GreenReaper|talk]]) 04:01, 26 July 2011 (EDT)

== Question ==

Are you going to permaban the IP (98.245.197.226) as well? This one is unique in that it isn't a proxy, but... [[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]][[User talk:Equivamp|talk]] 23:46, 26 July 2011 (EDT)

== Re: ==

I'll see if that works; thanks for the tip. [[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]][[User talk:Equivamp|talk]] 15:43, 27 July 2011 (EDT)

<del>Hm...I must have a different layout for Yahoo, I'm not seeing any of the buttons I'm supposed to click. [[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]][[User talk:Equivamp|talk]] 15:49, 27 July 2011 (EDT)</del>

I found it, but It leads me to a blank page. [[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]][[User talk:Equivamp|talk]] 16:00, 27 July 2011 (EDT)

However, eBuddy works. [[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]][[User talk:Equivamp|talk]] 16:12, 27 July 2011 (EDT)

Well, I talked to him. Nothing was really accomplished, however. He accused me of attacking him when I was merely asking why he wanted the section removed, which he didn't give a clear answer to. He said he didn't want people googling his name to find out about FA, so I suggested not indexing it, which you've apparently done. However, he then said it was pointless to have the article at all if Google can't find it, to which the only solution is personal exclusion, but he didn't want that either. Then he ''did'' want it. He seemed to have changed his mind again by the ''end'' of the discussion, and said the information was inaccurate. I advised him to correct it, then threatened to blank it immediately after. All the while making passive aggressive insults and threatening to tattle on me to you for "bringing drama" and telling me I'm lucky he didn't have me banned, despite having done nothing wronf. In fact, I was more polite than usual. Also, you apparently "told him about me" but I don't know what you said. All in all, it only managed to shave a few years off my lifespan, because I still don't know what he wants or what happened. So, I was wondering if you could explain to me what I'm supposed to do/have done, or talk to him yourself. [[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]][[User talk:Equivamp|talk]] 17:40, 27 July 2011 (EDT)
:We've had further conversation. This sort of thing happens every now and again in some cases. For the record, all I really told him about you was that you wouldn't respond well to vague threats - which was apparently correct. --[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]([[User talk:GreenReaper|talk]]) 21:21, 27 July 2011 (EDT)

It's not that I thought you said anything bad, he just alluded to it enough that it seemed like something important. [[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]][[User talk:Equivamp|talk]] 21:30, 27 July 2011 (EDT)

== RBW boat party notice ==

Hi GreenReaper,

That's actually a very good point - it seems to be a UKFur issue. If you go here : http://forum.ukfur.org/forum/86-ukfur-events/, and look at the RBW forum 'last updated' thing on the right, it (currently) says 124 topics, but the forum itself is only showing 3 pinned topics.... I've PM'd the admins about it and I'm waiting on the response. In the meantime, you can search the UKFur boards, using "RBW boat party" (minus the quotes) as search criteria, and the article is (currently) the 4th one down. The actual comment from Miyabi (aka sneppid) is post #19 and reads as follows:

''We've sortof dropped the ball on this – we're all quite enjoying the time off; not having massive heart palpitations and not being plunged into huge personal debt is a really nice feeling :3 We're also pretty busy managing LF stuff (well, most of us are, anyway). We'll probably make an official announcement soon but for the time being don't hold your breath for a 2011 boat party – think 2012 instead. We couldn't get the Erasmus at all for the dates we wanted this year, which wouldn't be a huge problem but we'd like to keep the vessel the same. Sorry about the radio silence, but will keep you posted re: 2012.''

So, no "official" announcement generally available, no. If that changes, I'll update the article (assuming you're happy with this as a reference - I can email you a screenshot if you like. :) [[User:Bezel|Bezel]] 05:15, 2 August 2011 (EDT)

:The issue with UKFur should now be fixed - apparently there were some unexpected hiccups when the RBW posts were moved from "conventions" to "events", which have now been corrected. [[User:Bezel|Bezel]] 11:06, 3 August 2011 (EDT)

== UKR flag ==

Can you add the UKR (Ukraine) flag to flagdiv and Flags.png? --[[User:Mwalimu|mwalimu]] 09:07, 2 August 2011 (EDT)

==Furnal Equinox Edits by Non-Directors/ConCom==

Hey Green, We've all been through this before. dan skunk is reversing edits on the page, after I removed the "see other/danskunk" and he placed it back. With me removing again. As a director of the convention and concom, speaking with others on said places. We do not wish his wikifur linked from our page article. He has mention in the article and that is enough, he has and still continues to cause problems for us, including many threatening e-mails sent to myself and other directors of the convention in the last few months. We would appreciate if he was blocked from editing our page, or our page was locked from edits, except from anyone of the directors. Scani, Myself, Blindsight, Pakesh or Arctic. At the least I'd like dan skunk to be prevented from editing our page. We don't need more issues then we already have with him and his problems.

Shane Nicholson
Director/ConCom - Furnal Equinox

:Perhaps it's poor form for me to interject on user talk pages, but I noticed this change had felt compelled to jump in because you're asking for administrative lockdowns on this article. Generally, I feel it is not appropriate policy for pages to be locked down to a whitelist of official authors who can contribute. I help run a convention, so I have a similar perspective about public perceptions and controlling impressions. We do this through our convention website, and I think that's the appropriate place for controlled messages and positive promotional text. Our event, like yours, has had a turbulent past that got us to where we are today, and while history isn't always positive or engendering of those presently organizing an event, convention, website, etc., it's an important part of the history of the event, but also, often for the regional fandom at large. If items are added which are true facts, written in a NPOV, and are referenced according to standard, even if they cast an event in a contentious or less than positive light, they're part of a total perspective an encyclopedic article deserves. I noticed the tremendous amount of edits/reverts/reedits/talk page notes that have been going on about your event, and I can't find evidence that Dan is "trolling" in any usual sense, though I certainly understand how you might wish him to not publish his edits as associated with your event. However, I think to be true to it's intended form, that's a concession we have to allow to keep Wikifur credible and in a long-term sense, truly useful. I don't believe anyone should be granted a privileged status as to what an article should say because they are elected or appointed to organize the subject matter being discussed. At the very least, I would recommend that if Dan puts up something you find untruthful, the references be questioned and researched by uninvolved parties, and consensus is reached before edits/reverts are made. Until that happens, even if you were exclusive granted access to maintain the article, it would no longer be credible, it would simply be promotional without community consensus and involvement. [I am going to cross-post this to your own Talk page just so you get this.] [[User:BlueOtter|BlueOtter]] 17:03, 17 August 2011 (EDT)

== Just updated some info ==

This is Cloudchaser Sakonige. I just edited "Cloudchaser Shaconage" and "Furry Dictionaries" to correct the spelling of my last name and on "Cloudchaser Shaconage" I updated the External Links. That of course has broken the link to "Cloudchaser Shaconage" from "Furry Dictionaries." How do I edit the main title of "Cloudchaser Shaconage" so "Shaconage" get changed to "Sakonige"? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 69.247.129.251 ([[User talk:69.247.129.251|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/69.247.129.251|contribs]]) 07:47, 19 August 2011 (UTC) 

== Since both questions have been ignored, I'll post this here. ==

So you deleted the article; fair enough. However, while the other article continues to exist I find that a prime example of double standards. Also that you didn't allow a true discussion to be held about its deletion seems silly. [[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]][[User talk:Equivamp|talk]] 17:17, 26 August 2011 (EDT)
:You mean the one about Blu Aardvark? If there's a consensus there to delete it, I'd be fine with that as well. As far as I'm aware, they haven't really been an issue here recently. As for the discussion, I saw four people in favour of deletion - five if you count me - one oppose (from the page creator), and one noncommittal response. If we were Wikipedia, it might be necessary to keep such pages around to inform those unaware of the situation, but I don't think that's the case here. --[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]([[User talk:GreenReaper|talk]]) 17:19, 26 August 2011 (EDT)
:Double-standards? On WikiFur? It's more likely than you think! —[[User:Xydexx|Xydexx]]
:Meh. I only saw two opposing (excluding you). And ohai Xydexx, good to see you survived the earthquake. Unless you're a ghost. And that'd be weird. [[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]][[User talk:Equivamp|talk]] 17:45, 26 August 2011 (EDT)
::Ohai Equivamp. Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated. The earthquake really didn't do much damage here, but we definitely felt it. —[[User:Xydexx|Xydexx]]
:Looking back at it, there were three (four counting you). [[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]][[User talk:Equivamp|talk]] 17:58, 26 August 2011 (EDT)
::Fair enough. I'll take four over one, especially when they're the ones who have to deal it. This isn't a game for us, it's a waste of time that could be spent writing articles. --[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]([[User talk:GreenReaper|talk]]) 18:14, 26 August 2011 (EDT)

I'm not playing "games" if that'd what you're implying. [[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]][[User talk:Equivamp|talk]] 18:18, 26 August 2011 (EDT)

== Thanks ==

Just wanted to say thanks for the welcome :) [[User:Bi-snow|Bi-snow]] 16:37, 4 September 2011 (EDT)

==Moving Equivamp==
Hi GR, 
I'm curious as to why you went through the process of deleting Equivamp's article, moving the revision over, and restoring the old edits. Wouldn't it have been quicker to just cut and paste, or am I overlooking something?--[[User:Higgs Raccoon|Higgs Raccoon]] 23:10, 4 September 2011 (EDT)
:Perhaps, but it would have left the edits made by Equivamp separate. I felt it was better to keep them all together. --[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]([[User talk:GreenReaper|talk]]) 23:11, 4 September 2011 (EDT)

==TGcomix==
Can you please keep an eye on the tiny community of pedophiles here, especially with [http://en.wikifur.com/w/index.php?title=User_talk:Tyciol&diff=343523&oldid=341592 their stated intentions to harass 15-year-old girls] on TrikiWiki.org, which he uses to write about his personal enemies (eg. Brainwurms, Zaiger420, Thayo). I doubt that TGcomix wishes to be a constructive contributor here; his main goal seems to be recruitment. I doubt Tyciol will present any problems; it's TGcomix you really need to worry about. If you won't ban TGcomix in order to save your wiki from any problems he may present in the future, you should at least tell him that comments [http://en.wikifur.com/w/index.php?title=User_talk:Tyciol&diff=343523&oldid=341592 such as this] aren't welcomed. --[[User:Michaeldsuarez|Michaeldsuarez]] 17:25, 11 September 2011 (EDT)
:I should also point out [http://encyclopediadramatica.ch/User_talk:Equivamp#Equivamp they are furry-based comments], in case that's relevant. [[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]][[User talk:Equivamp|talk]] 18:49, 11 September 2011 (EDT)
::With the speed that GR reverted meep's inappropriate inquiry on my talk, it makes me think it's on a watch list or somethin'. Anywho, I dispute MDS' allegation of being a member of such a community. I'm polite enough to engage in discourse with anyone including this TG fellow but do not want any part of his plans to harass Eq on this trikiwiki thing. I took a look at it and it is in poor taste. [[User talk:Tyciol|Ty]] 04:24, 29 October 2011 (EDT)
:::Edits to all WikiFur sites are posted to [irc://irc.freenode.net/wikifur-edits #wikifur-edits] on [[WikiFur:IRC|IRC]], and I often review them. --[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]([[User talk:GreenReaper|talk]]) 04:27, 29 October 2011 (EDT)

== Article wikifur.com/Fritter ==

GreenReaper,

As of Monday, the 12th of September 2011, my charges have been unconditionally withdrawn by the Crown and Court of Ontario, Canada. On that note, I would like to request my personal information be removed from my article page without threat of moderators such as AshleyAshes re-adding such information. In addition, I would like the note of any mention of the charge be removed, as it now poses as a threat to my future in both personal and professional stances. If you require any written proof, I am in the process of gathering the documentation from the courts and my lawyer notating that the matter has been resolved outright.

In addition, I would like to file a complaint against your moderator AshleyAshes, for personally bringing it upon himself to see that my reputation be tarnished, even after the criminal charge has been dropped. He played the entire matter as though I was guilty from the instant I was picked up, and appears to believe it is still the case though my charge has been dropped. I would like to politely speak with you in private on this matter further, so that these issues may be resolved as cleanly and respectfully as possible. It has been a difficult past 6 months, and I would like to do my best to keep those past 6 months under wraps for the future.

[[User:Fritter|Fritter]] 20:57, 14 September 2011 (EDT)

:Hi Fritter. I am glad to hear that you have apparently resolved this matter. As the information we have is backed by a published news article, some form of reference or document proving what you have said would be appreciated. If it can be proven, I am personally open to removal of the topic from the article about you; however, as we act on consensus and have not faced this exact situation before, I'll sound out the feelings of other editors on the [[Talk:Fritter|discussion page]].

:You might consider contacting the newspaper which originally covered this story to ask them to print an update. I also would be glad to update the [http://www.flayrah.com/3490/furry-fritter-charged-possession-child-pornography Flayrah article on this topic], and/or to post a new story there of equal prominence mentioning the withdrawal of the charges.

:[[User:AshleyAshes|AshleyAshes]] is not a [[WikiFur:Colleagues|WikiFur colleague/curator]] and does not represent the site in any capacity beyond that of a contributor. He also has no more or less power than you have - well, OK, ''technically'' there are a couple of things he can do because your account is new as of yesterday, but he has not been granted any special powers. We encourage all editors to ensure that articles are accurate and comprehensive, although in this case I would have preferred to see an attempt to confirm the information provided rather than immediately remove it.

:In the future, I suggest using the "summary box" above the save page button to provide an explanation of the motivation for your edits to other editors. This will appear on the [http://en.wikifur.com/w/index.php?title=Fritter&action=history history page] as a brief explanation of the edit. Without it, it can be tricky to deal with situations like user A adding information X to an article, user B removing it for a reason in line with wiki guidelines (e.g. a lack of a citation), and user A then adding it in again without giving any response to B's reasoning.

:You are welcome to [[WikiFur:IRC|talk to me in the #wikifur chat room]], or to [[Special:EmailUser/GreenReaper|email me]], but please bear in mind that I am relocating to Texas this weekend and may be away packing up boxes. As mentioned above, policy and article content decisions on WikiFur are made through the [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Consensus|consensus of editors]], not handed out from above as in most websites, but I would be glad to advise you on how our system works and suggest how best to achieve your goals. --[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]([[User talk:GreenReaper|talk]]) 21:53, 14 September 2011 (EDT)

== Removing pages created by me a long time ago ==

Hello, I was wondering whether I can have the pages for "Sparks (fan)" and "Syona Starlight" removed from this wiki. I am Syona, Sparks is my significant other. I am trying to scrub the net clean of what I can of any of our presence. Thank you. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by [[User:Darkeskunk|Darkeskunk]] ([[User talk:Darkeskunk|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Darkeskunk|contribs]]) .

:''Following up via FA note and AIM''. --[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]([[User talk:GreenReaper|talk]]) 23:50, 2 October 2011 (EDT)

== Question about terms. ==

Hello, I'm Targal and EvilDragon. you should know me already, as I was sometime in IRC.

:Hi there! Sorry for the slow reply, I've been busy recently in [[real life]] . . .

1.
Rante has made classification about furry. as I saw it, but his term in the word explaining classification looks something weird.
so I question you looks whether it something uncomfortable or not.

I guess You should know these codes can be seen well on a book of libraries.

http://hellodragon.tistory.com/41

I think It'll be better if they're revised as latin-ous.

:I do not particularly like codes as they are inflexible. For example, it says there that my character has a human body . . . but it is half the height of a human, and in fact the stance is more forward-leaning. It also appears to be redundant to define "divisions" if you have defined "detailed divisions" as it can be calculated from that. Overall, I would ask what is the use of such classification? On WikiFur, we use words, and it works well enough, I think.

2.
is the word "furry" literary style?

this meaning is that the word "Kemono" in Japanese can ba hardly written on novels, because it's something inproper. but the word "Jyujin" having a similar meaning to Kemono is used often than "Kemono" on novels.
likewise the word "suin" in Korean meaning furry and jyujin is also used on a novels, but it's so informal term only used on internet products that it can be written hardly on formal words. (but 'suin' is available half on novels)
for example, you have to write 'yiffy' as 'adult furry things' on a formal paper, because 'yiffy' is a slang.

so, I wonder whether the word 'furry' can be used like that or not.

:"Furry" is an informal term; you will not find it in any official dictionaries . . . yet. It is however used by many conventions and artists to describe themselves. If you want a more formal term for the characters which we focus on, I would suggest "[cartoon] anthropomorphic animal". --[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]([[User talk:GreenReaper|talk]]) 00:00, 3 October 2011 (EDT)

== Deletion of my article and all other mentions/page/etc ==

Hi! I would like to remove any real mention of me, the article on me, etc. I am now concerned about my privacy and the amount of information available about me on the internet, and would like to get rid of it as much as possible. You can contact me via the email listed in my preferences (I assume this is viewable by you?)

Thank you in advance :)

--[[User:Dimruthien|Dimruthien]] 06:33, 11 October 2011 (EDT)
:Replied via email outlining [[WikiFur:Personal exclusion|personal exclusion]] process (and its limits). --[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]([[User talk:GreenReaper|talk]]) 02:42, 15 October 2011 (EDT)

==People to Add==
Hello GR, 
I wonder if you could suggest a direction for the [[:Category:People/People_to_add|People to Add]] list? In particular, what should be done with names that defy a reasonable amount of research? Take "Susan Gui" or "John T Baptist", for example. Neither have any mention within WikiFur, and Google searches combined with obvious words like "furry", "furries", "fursona", "anthropomorphic", etc, produce no relevant hits. Neither do Google Groups searches or trying to guess a Fur Affinity account name.

Should such names be left, or removed?--[[User:Higgs Raccoon|Higgs Raccoon]] 17:25, 27 October 2011 (EDT)

:I'd suggest removing them, on the basis that placement on the list is only useful if other people know who you're talking about. If the original adder really wants to make that article, they can always do that. --[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]([[User talk:GreenReaper|talk]]) 17:28, 27 October 2011 (EDT)

== Interesting archive splitting ==

I noticed your separate Admin/Policy + Technical + General categories for your archives. That is neat but it makes me wonder, does it add more work to archiving? Like do you look at each topic one by one and decide where you want to put it? So eventually, the order they are displayed in when split looks different from how they initially appeared in sequence when first posted? I thought about the possibility of adding month-parent single = cats but that is only for standard methods and would clearly overcomplicate in addition to this trinity division. [[User talk:Tyciol|Ty]] 04:29, 29 October 2011 (EDT)
:Yes. It is more work; I do it because I am in a unique situation as many policy decisions and technical questions have been answered on my talk page, and it may be necessary for people to look through the archives to determine the historical basis for a decision (or just to get a general feel for the site's history). This makes it easier for them, as there's less to read through. --[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]([[User talk:GreenReaper|talk]]) 04:37, 29 October 2011 (EDT)

== I wish to remove my character from Wikifur ==

I would like to remove my character's profile from wikifur. I cannot delete it, can you do that for me? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by [[User:Jenesri|Jenesri]] ([[User talk:Jenesri|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Jenesri|contribs]]) .

:I'm presuming you want us not to cover you, as well as your character? What we typically offer is [[WikiFur:personal exclusion|personal exclusion]], since otherwise anyone could recreate an article if it was deleted. I have noted your request on the [[Talk:Jenesri|relevant discussion page]], and if there is no objection (which is likely), it will be excluded. --[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]([[User talk:GreenReaper|talk]]) 21:55, 26 December 2011 (EST)

== Problems with Internet Explorer ==

It would appear IE still has problems editing the site (though it can view it just fine). Editing is possible if I make the changes, then click the "Changes" tab at the top before clicking Save. Not doing this results in me having to resart the internet. This is a brand-new computer; I am using the most updated version of IE. Yes, I know, that's what I get for using it in the first place, but I'm too busy to download Chrome. Is there any reason for this, or do you not know? [[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]][[User talk:Equivamp|talk]] 19:27, 9 January 2012 (EST)
:Try unchecking the beta and labs features on the "editing" tab of your [[Special:Preferences|preferences]]? --[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]([[User talk:GreenReaper|talk]]) 17:31, 11 January 2012 (EST)

::test [[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]][[User talk:Equivamp|talk]] 16:34, 16 January 2012 (EST)

:::Okay, it does appear to have worked. Thank you for your help. [[User:Equivamp|Equivamp]][[User talk:Equivamp|talk]] 16:35, 16 January 2012 (EST)

== A strange link ==

Hi, I was talking with someone and they mentioned that there was a link on Timothy Albee's page here on Wikifur that pointed to my page on FurAffinity, (furaffinity.net/user/dreamsong).

While Tim and I were close for years, we were never _that_ close.

I was wondering if someone could change that link? (I think his FurAffinity page is still there under TimothyAlbee.)

Thanks!
Dreamsong

:Sure; the updated page is at [[Timothy Albee]]. Note that you can edit most pages on WikiFur, even without an account. --[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]([[User talk:GreenReaper|talk]]) 18:18, 22 January 2012 (EST)

== Merge Kijani/Kijani Lion ==

Hi there,

Yes if you could please merge the two userpages that would be great! It's been so long since I've edited by Wiki I completely forgot I had made that account. Thanks a lot!

Kijani

2012-02-08T08:47:38Z

Kijani:

'''Kijani''' (born February 24, 1986) is a [[lion]] fur and [[fursuiter]] currently living in [[Wikipedia:Bothell, Washington|Bothell, Washington]], U.S.A. His fursona name of Kijani translates to "warrior" in the Swahili language, representing his character's ability to fight through any of life's challenges.

Originally from [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland, Washington]], he joined the [[furry fandom]] in April of 2008.

In [[real life]], Kijani graduated from the University of Washington in December 2007 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. He currently works as a sports writer for two local community newspapers and has experience as a casino dealer.

[[Image:Kijani rawr.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kijani's lion fursuit commissioned by the Furducers of Tempe, Arizona]]

== Bio/Furry history ==

Kijani has a deep affection for lions that began in 2004 when he watched ''[[The Lion King]]'' to write a college English essay. Many years later, after re-watching the film, he felt a strong connection to the leonine characters, and the story of [[Simba]] in particular. Soon thereafter, he started collecting various merchandise and memorabilia from the film, and currently owns over 970 items in his collection, which won a People's Choice award at the Western Washington (Puyallup) Fair in 2006 and is unofficially the largest in the United States.

As the years passed, Kijani’s love for TLK soon translated into a strong connection to African lions as animals. In early 2008, he began researching the furry fandom after watching videos of fursuiters performing and various furry conventions on [[YouTube]], and on April 12, 2008, made the decision to join the fandom. Kijani believes that the furry fandom is a wonderful creative outlet, while allowing the ability to brighten the lives of those around you, whether they are friends, family, children, or others in the fandom.

Kijani is an active member of [http://www.meetup.com/furlife FurLife: Seattle Area Furries] and takes the official video of the meets he is able to attend. He has attended a total of nine conventions: [[Rainfurrest]] 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; [[All Fur Fun]] 2009, [[Further Confusion]] 2011 and 2012, and [[Anthrocon]] 2010 and 2011.

== Fursuits ==

Kijani currently owns two fursuits: Kijani, his fursona suit, built by the Furducers [[Sema JayHawk|Semjay]] and [[Taren Nauxen]].

Kijani's commissioned lion suit features long-pile light brown body fur, a balaclava-style head with moveable jaw, and also represents the Furducers' first attempt at making digitigrade-style legs.

Kijani's second suit, Kato, is also a lion and made by [[Snap_E._Tiger]] of www.bycats4cats.com. Kato is the mutated twin brother of another one of Snap's suits, Marf Lion, and was born with a genetic defect that gave him green eyes and dyed streaks of green into his mane.

Kato features a static jaw and digitigrade legs sewn into the body suit. He debuted at Rainfurrest in 2009.

== Fursuiting Ambassador ==
[[Image:Kato_Lion_-_Salmon_Days_2011.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011]]

Since he joined the furry fandom primarily through the fursuiting aspect, Kijani always seeks to give back to the furry fandom and the local community through fursuit performance.

With nearly 3,000 subscribers on [http://www.youtube.com/user/lionking300 his YouTube channel], Kijani's public fursuiting videos have inspired and touched the hearts of many in the furry fandom and beyond.

Along with documenting each of his public fursuiting experiences through video, Kijani has also produced a compilation video series, called "Fursuiting: For the Kids, and the Kid in all of us" that has over 25,000 combined views, and a special short film called "The Magic of Fursuiting" which contains quotes from members of his local public fursuiting group.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h61hhl-eY44 Fursuiting: For the Kids]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA6VeDA8o8c Fursuiting: For the Kids - 2nd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUedlrM65X8 Fursuiting: For the Kids - 3rd edition]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xahVFwwg9Y8 The Magic of Fursuiting]

Since 2010, Kijani has been performing in fursuit at community and charity events under the banner of Anthropaws, his friend Ithabise's fursuit building company. Among the many events he fursuits to every year are [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSilkp96eb0 Bothell Riverfest], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKitQIt0oDQ Issaquah Salmon Days], and an assortment of summer parades including [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx-4Z9ZyvIM Bothell's Grand Parade].

Kijani has also co-hosted several panels, at Rainfurrest in 2010 and 2011, on the topics of performing in fursuit and fursuiting outside of a convention environment.

== When Furballs Strike ==

[[Image:WFS_8_group_photo.jpeg|right|thumb|400px|Fursuit group photo from the most recent When Furballs Strike meet, which featured 135 attendees and 43 fursuiters in total. Kijani founded the meet in December 2008 and has been organizing it ever since]]
In December of 2008, Kijani organized the first major fursuit bowling meet in the greater Seattle area, When Furballs Strike (WFS), at Kenmore Lanes in Kenmore, Washington, with 40 attendees.

Since then, there have been a total of eight WFS meets - held three to four times a year - with attendance rates steadily rising. The most recent, held on January 28, 2012, had a meet-record 135 attendees including 43 fursuiters and nearly 100 bowlers from all over Western Washington as well as some guests from Canada and Oregon.

VIDEO:

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPD48C2Gjnk When Furballs Strike 8]

== Furry News Network ==

As a journalist in his real-life job, Kijani is also a volunteer staff writer for the [http://en.wikifur.com/wiki/FNN| Furry News Network].

He contributes a bi-monthly (formerly monthly) feature called "Featured Fursuiter of the Month" in which he writes an article detailing a well-known fursuiting personality in the furry fandom, offering a "behind-the-mask" look at their characters, how they got involved with the furry fandom, and their lives outside of fursuiting.

[http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/yippee-coyote-july-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ Yippee Coyote - July 2011]

[http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/dogbomb-august-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ Dogbomb - August 2011]

[http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/09/nicodemus-rat-september-2011-featured-fursuiter-month/ Nicodemus Rat - September 2011]

[http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/10/kiwa-lyon-october-featured-fursuiter-month/ Kiwa Lyon - October 2011]

[http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/bucktown-tiger-december-featured-fursuiter-month/ Bucktown Tiger - December 2011]

[http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2012/02/skroy-february-2012-featured-fursuiter-month/ Skroy - February 2012]

== Hobbies ==
Kijani’s hobbies and interests include collecting memorabilia from ''The Lion King'' (film and musical), anything related to African lions, bowling, racquet sports, [[Dance Dance Revolution]]/In the Groove, wildlife photography, poker, and game shows.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKTYxQdfBQ Kijani appeared on the American game show Wheel of Fortune] in October of 2004 and won $36,830 in cash and prizes, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

He is also a huge fan of [[Wikipedia:The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King on Broadway stage musical]] and has seen the show in a total of fourteen times in seven different cities (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; New York; Orlando, FL; Tempe, AZ and Shanghai, China) around the world.

== Bowling ==

Known as one of the furry fandom's top bowlers, Kijani has bowled eight perfect 300 games and two 800 series. He won a collegiate singles bowling title competing for the [[Wikipedia:University of Washington| University of Washington]] at the Aggie Bowl Invitational in Utah in 2005, and most recently won the Greater Seattle USBC Oktoberfest tournament in October 2011.

In fursuit, Kijani averages around 120, with a high game of 155.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBRTF6K2Mog Kijani bowling at the Kenmore Lanes West Coast Tournaments (WCT) tour stop in 2010]

== External links ==
{{Contributor|Kijani Lion}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kijanilion Kijani] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://kijani_lion.livejournal.com Kijani] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lionking300 Kijani's page] on [[YouTube]], containing official videos from FurLife meets

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Lion characters]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:1986 births]]

File:Kato Lion - Salmon Days 2011.jpg

2012-02-08T07:44:22Z

Kijani: Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011.

== Summary ==
Kijani, as Kato Lion, interacts with a youngster during Issaquah's Salmon Days festival in 2011.
== Licensing ==
{{PDImage}}