Mocapaha

Kingdom of Mocapaha Translation (Pahamilan)
Flag Wiphala of Mocapaha
Motto: Naebahiono, Caqueni, Cumesa ("Piety, Loyalty, Benevolence")
Anthem: Anthem in Pahamilan translation Royal anthem: Anthem in Pahamilan translation
Capital and	Hicayayi
Official languages	Pahamilan
Recognised regional languages	Latin
Ethnic groups (2019)	77% Pahamile 15% Belisarian 8% other
Religion	State religion: Fabrian Catholic Other recognized: Protestantism (Reformed, Episcopalian, Union Reformed) Alban Christian, Judaism, Irreligion
Demonym(s)	Mocapahan
Government	Unitary absolute monarchy
• King	NAME
• Queen Mother	NAME
Formation
• Kayamuca era	632 CE
• Belfrasian Crusade	1260
Population
• 2020 estimate	15 millions
• Density	200/km2 (518.0/sq mi)
Currency	Lire (£) (MLR)
Date format	dd/mm/yyyy (AD)
Driving side	left
Calling code	+4
ISO 3166 code	MO
Internet TLD	.mo

Mocapaha, officially the Kingdom of Mocapaha, is an Archipelagic country in Norumbia, in the northern Kayamuca Sea. It consist of 30 islands, with the main one being Qirtuyagua where most of the population reside, for a total land area of 76000 km². The capital is Hicayayi, and it's also the most populous settlement in the country. It shares a maritime border with Belfras.

It's with the conquests of the Kayamuca Empire that these islands left Protohistory. It was then known as Juhyudamayani and it became a province of the Empire. After its independence acquired in 1230, Juhyudamayani would soon devolve into tribal conflicts, leading to the division of the islands following the traditional tribal and clanic lines that had survive the Kayamucan occupation.

By the start of the Belfrasian Crusade, the Chieftain Saturagua had taken control over most of the archipelago and was dubbed "King of Qirtuyagua" by the Latins but its only with the reign of his son, Athore, that the throne would be really secured.

Mocapaha is a member of the Forum of Nations and is considered to be a developed country with an economy based around services and manufacturing.

Etymology

The native name of the archipelago prior to the Kayamuca Empire remain unknown. It's the latter who first called it Juhyudla Duhnaluda, "Northern Islands". By extansion, the people were called Juhyudlai Amequohi Aniyuwi, "North Sea People". Because the Kayamucans did not use writing but a coding system based on colors and shapes for their census, the names they gave to the archipelago and the inhabitants could be read both in their language but also in the natives' own speech and was translated as Ichimoca paqi and Ichimoca paha (lit. "North Sea Islands" and "North Sea People"). Sometime during the decline of the Empire and the following secession of the archipelago, the names were further simplified as "Mocapaqi" and "Mocapaha" in common parlor.

At first two very distinct concept, the word "Mocapaha" slowly evolved so that by the 18th century it designated both the islands and their inhabitants while Mocapaqi had become antiquated. It's also during the 18th century that the King decided to change his title, from the old Latin-given "King of Qirtuyagua and Associated Realms" to the more unifying "King of Mocapaha", officializing the modern name of the country.

History

Prehistory

Archaeological research dates human habitation in the archipelago to at least 2500 BC. The area has yielded some of the oldest known Norumbian pottery, uncovered on Ouechu Island. By the 2nd century AD, it seems that trade existed between the island and the continent, with the apparition of potteries typical of the coastal cultures of what would become Belfras.

Kayamuca era

See also: Kayamuca Empire

During the 8th century, the Kayamuca reached Mocapaha. Their first contacts with the people inhabiting these islands, whom they called the Juhyudamayani, were peaceful but after decade of trades, they proposed to some chieftains to become the vassals of the Yevdinehi in exchange for his protection and assistance. They continued this policy, helping certain tribes against their enemies, establishing port-cities and relocating defeated opponents to other parts of the islands or even sending them away to other regions of the Empire. Ultimately, the whole island was put under Kayamuca rules, with laws such as the state-ownership of lands and clothes, the disparition of markets in favour of warehouses, and the establishment of an extensive system of corvées and levies as a taxation system allowing the Empire to maintain and expand its workforce, its military, and its navy.

Under the Kayamuca’s rule, each settlement was recognized as an Ayllu, led by a Malku. Ayllu were then regrouped into geographical divisions known as Hurins. Then the entirety of the archipelago was included in the Province of Juhyudlamequohi (lit. "Northern Sea"). Taxpayers – male heads of household of a certain age range – were organized into labor/military units. These units were the Decuria (10 men), the Quinquadecuria (50 men), and so on until the largest labour unit made of 10,000 men. It’s through this manpower that the Kayamuca built raised farms, causaways, and the storehouses, warehouses, inns and shelters that were the backbone of the imperial administration. They introduced their own peculiar architectural styles, but also the habits of building earthwork mounds to elevate their temples and administrative buildings.

This rigid administration broke down with the collapse of the Kayamuca. Slowly, Provincial administrators were given more and more prerogatives and powers. The Apu of Juhyudlamequohi for example, owned his own fleet and military with little to no oversight from the central government. In 1216, the Yevdinehi Aman tried to restore Imperial authority over the quasi independent provinces. Juhyudlamequohi joined the resistance against the Emperor. In 1230, it's independence was declared. The Provincial Governor tried to maintain the Kayamuca's social structure over the island, but failed and soon the archipelago was consumed in many revolts until it started to restructure itself along tribal and clanic lines.

It’s during this period of chaos that the first Latins traders reached Norumbia and, with them, missionaries. They were the first to record aspects of the locals’ daily lives, cultures, and languages. They notably recorded the existence of more than 70 chiefdoms but by 1250, only 8 of these were truly independents, the others having been annexed or vassalized.

It’s in 1251 that Chief Saturigua, the overlord of the Mocana tribal alliance, converted to Fabrianism. His talents as general, but also his careful exploitation of his land’s potentials in term of agriculture and manpower, allowed him to conquer the entirety of the Archipelago. When the Latins crusaders reached the Archipelago by the late 1256, he was at the summit of his strength. He offered provisions and shelter to the Crusaders, who then continued their road, accompanied by parts of Saturigua’s fleet of trimarans. Saturigua was recognized as “King of Qirtuyagua” and given the title of “Very Fabrian Monarch of the Occident”, among other rewards. He died in 1277 and his son, Athore, succeeded him. Athore had to face multiple revolts during his rule, from some of his uncles who had remained partisans of shamanism, and various chieftains who tried to reclaim their independence. Athore was ultimately victorious, asserting the future of Qirtuyagua as a fabrian kingdom.

One of the greatest changes to Mocapaha culture was the urbanisation of the archipelago during the period of peace starting with Athore rule's second half. Port cities had already become extremely important to the Mocapaha society, with some towns reaching 10,000 inhabitants as soon as the golden age of the Kayamuca Empire. But with the end of said empire and the rise in trades with Belisaria and Norumbia, these ports became more attractive than ever. Mocapaha became an exporter of goods like spices, medicinal plants, herbs, importing in exchange metal tools (at first) and then minerals, salt, glasses… they also offered products and services to trading fleets stopping at the ports including equipment, repairs, medecines, citrus, fresh water, and food.

Government and politics

The Kingdom of Mocapaha is a unitary absolute monarchy. The constitution calls for a monarchy with a legislature and judiciary.

The constitution places the Monarch as the "leading force for society" in Mocapaha and as a result is a driving force in the administration of government as the executive head of state and government. The Monarch is aided primarily by the Queen Mother, who plays a major role in state functions and courtly ceremony. Despite de jure power primarily invested in the Monarchy, checks exist that place Mocapaha in a state of semi-constitutionalism. Since the turn of the 20th century, the state has developed into a sort of technocracy, with court and ministerial positions filled by individuals with technical knowledge.

The Council of Chiefs is the appointed, national legislature of the country. Members are appointed to the legislature by virtue of serving as chieftain of their historical chiefdom, or locality.

Mocapaha maintains a professional judiciary, where judges are not appointed in the traditional sense. Appointment to the judiciary first requires a legal education background with a specialization in the judiciary, who are then drawn from recruitment pools. Judges are career civil servants eligible for promotion and further advancement. The Court of Assidere is the court of last resort and its members are among the most senior jurists in Mocapaha, by years served on the bench; members of the Court of Assidere are not appointed by the Monarch but can be removed for cause after a review hearing.

Economy

Agriculture

The main crops cultivated in Mocapaha are Sugarcane, tobacco, bananas, citrus fruits, beans, Sweet potatoes, and Yaupon holly, an evergreen shrub used to produce a caffeinated drink known as Cassina or Yaupon tea ten time stronger than coffee. The archipelago's livestock is made up mostly of cattles, goats, and sheeps reaching a total of three millions heads. Production of meat and dairy relies on imported foodstuff for both cattles and poultry.

Fishing

The archipelago's waters abound with Marlin, barracuda, kingfish, mackerel, tuna, sailfish, tarpon, bonito, snapper, and grouper. shrimp, crabs, lobsters and clams are also exploited. This, and an important seafaring culture in Mocapaha, helped create a well-developed fishing industry. mussels and oysters are also cultivated in coastal farms.

Mining

Mineral production has stagnated since a slump began in the mid-1980s and it now accounts for only 2% of the GDP. The main productions are nickel, bauxite, and gold. Because of fear of deforestation, limitations have been placed over the sector and some of the oldest mines have been close since the beginning of the 21th century, reducing the output. Another rare mineral source found in Mocapaha is blue amber. The country also produced hydraulic cement, limestone, marble, dimension stone, sand and gravel.

Secondary sector

Manufacturing is the largest economic sector of the archipelago. shipbuilding is a strategic industry for Mocapaha, alongside Aeronautics. Most of the exportation however include textiles, electronic components, and other semi-manufactured goods aimed at the Belfrasian or Belisarian markets.