Anum is what he is. The "fifth born". His childhood was usual, nothing exceptional. He ws a kid like the others, but all of that changed rapidly, the moment he truned 14. On that day, a secret he would have never imagined was revealed to him:
His family, descentends from an old cult, devoted to protect and serve the old egyptian Pharaos in life and death, still bow to the old tradition. On the day the fifth child passes his teen years, he is send on voyage, straight to hell. He may only return if he proves his worth to the family... and if he survives the Hunger Games. As per tradition, he is handed a deck very much based on his family's history, that gets enhanced by every user's hands it passes through.
He turned 20, passed his teen years and therefore the first 6 years of his training. 6 years learning the true history of Egypt and his family, honoring the long-dead Pharao with prayers and nearly forgotten rituals and just as important: physical training. 6 years of preparations for one sole purpose. Never was he asked what his opinion is. Never was asked how he felt about the tradition. Never was he asked if he was willing to risk his life, for supposed family honor. He quietly endured, learned, prayed. All for this day. He would go to the Hunger Games. He would survive. And he would never return home.