Kahneska

This article is about the country. For other uses, see Kahneska (disambiguation).

Federated States of Kahneska 6 official languages Gawonihisdi: ᏗᎦᎢᏍᏗ ᎤᏪᏘᏍᎬ ᎠᏧᏣᎳᏅᏍᎩ Kanien'kéha: Kahneska Nitonkwa'tsheró Ohskenón Iyuha: Kahneska Očháŋžapi Othúwahe Ínts’o: 𐓄𐓐𐒰𐒼𐒻 𐓊𐒻𐓓𐒻 𐓊𐒰𐒼𐒻 𐒼𐒰͘𐓁𐒷𐓆𐒼𐒰 Goyogohó: Kahneska Gëjohsë önyö:’gwah twayaʔ: Kahneska Tetwatatyahthónt
Flag Seal
Anthem: Wendeyaho (Kanien'kéha) ("Morning Song")
Location of Kahneska (dark green)
Capital	Ahtawenhne
Largest city	Nokosvyi
Official languages	Gawonihisdi Kanien'kéha Iyuha Ínts’o Goyogohó twayaʔ
Recognised regional languages	Helmenska Hyacinthean Fallish Waldish Helmish
Ethnic groups (2022)	26.7% Ama 17.7% Kanonhwarón 13.9% Škaŋkála 11.2% Wazha'ze 8.3% Gweñskë 6.6% Nihsëh 14.3% Elian/Free Stater 1.3% Other
Religion (2022)	58.1% Gregorianism 13.6% no religion 25.6% folk religion 2.7% other
Demonym(s)	Kahneskan
Government	Federal directorial parliamentary republic
• President	Ama Edohi
• High Speaker	Tekonwí Hill
• Chief Justice	Waŋblí Ayútepiwiŋ
Legislature	Kahneskan Parliament
History
Area
• Total	448,454.7 km2 (173,149.3 sq mi)
• Water (%)	9.53
Population
• 2022 estimate	16,035,890
• Density	35.76/km2 (92.6/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)	2022 estimate
• Total	$395.621 billion
• Per capita	$24,671
GDP (nominal)	2022 estimate
• Total	$301.395 billion
• Per capita	$18,795
Gini (2022)	26.6 low
HDI (2022)	0.814 very high
Currency	Uwoyí (Ꞹ), BSG)
Time zone	UTC+4 (Kahneska Standard Time, KST)
Date format	dd-mm-yyyy
Driving side	right
Calling code	+99
Internet TLD	.kn

Kahneska, officially the Federated States of Kahneska, is a sovereign state in Elia Borealis. It is bordered by the Free States to the west, X to the northeast, Josephinia and Siskiyou to the east, and Eskland to the southeast. It is hydrogepgraphically bordered to the north by the Glacian Ocean and to the northwest by the North Medan Ocean. With an estimated population of around 16 million people, it ranks as the second-most populous nation in Elia Borealis and is the most ethno-linguistically diverse. Kahneska's multiethnic heritage includes a mixture of indigenous Elian peoples and Calesian settler populations. Its capital is Ahtawenhne, while its largest city is Nokosvyi.

The territory of modern-day Kahneska hosted what was essentially the heartland of the Elian civilization as one of the world's cradles of civilization, which extended across Elia Borealis; until the 16th century, after the disastrous Catabolic Crisis and Calesian colonization significantly shrunk the amount of land ruled over by the indigenous Elian tribes. Early forms of confederation persisted amongst the inland regions with the X, where they often resisted settler colonialism, until the early 18th century, with a brief resurgence again in the latter part of the century before being annexed into the Grand Federation in 1790. In the aftermath of a civil conflict alongside many decades of indigenous resistance, the country in its current borders gained its independence in 1896, taking on its current form of government in 1899. Since then, it has had some level of instability and internal strife, including internal tribal struggles and issues with the settler populations that still inhabit the country.

Known as the "land of lakes and mountains", Kahneska's abundance of biodiverse and unique ecosystems also includes many endemic species and landscapes and contributes to tourism and mineral exports as some of the primary means of development for the fledging economy. However, despite being rich in natural resources, Kahneska is a developing country and an estimated 22% of the population lives in poverty, nearly double that of its neighbors. Other societal issues facing the country include gun crime, corruption, and civil instability.

Kaneska is a federal directorial parliamentary republic, headed by a President chairing the Executive Council. It is a member state of the United Congress, Organization of Elian States, Elian Free Trade Agreement, Non-Aligned Movement, and X.

Etymology

Main article: Name of Kahneska

Etymologically, the name "Kahneska" is believed to have been derived from the Kanien'kéha language of the Kanonhwarón people. Specifically, it comes from the early word of "Kahneskahará", meaning "the place of the longhouse by the waters." It was a name notably used by many of the tribes in the modern-day area of Kahneska to signify a sense of unity and communal or communitarian living. However, with the arrival of Calesian explores and settlers, the name was often shortened or misapplied to other tribes. This led to many actually adopting the name over time, especially as it was applied during colonial-era administrations.

An alternative explanation for the name is the Gawonihisdi word ᎧᏁᏍᎦ, or Kvnesga, which referred to northern tribes as a "land of white" or "pure land," though this phrasing and the periods and geography of Calesian contact suggest the former etymology to be most likely, especially as the Kanonhwarón tended to be more receptive and diplomatic towards Calesian explorers and settlers.

History

Main article: History of Kahneska

Prehistory

Around 10,000 BCE, some of the first Homo sapiens began to migrate westwards along a land bridge between Galania and Elia Australis. This era was marked too by a period of heightened global glaciation, cooler temperatures, and lower sea levels. Upon settling in Elia Australis for a couple thousand years, early humans began migrating northwards again.

As a result of early migration northwards from Elia Australis, the earliest human habitation of Elia Borealis began to occur around 3,000 to 2,500 BCE. The presence of humans in the region is evidenced by the existence of skeletal remains and stone tools found in the region. In particular, early agricultural practices, likely carried over from Elia Australis, are prevalent throughout the duration of human habitation in the region; however, the majority of these cultures remained fairly nomadic or hunter-gatherer in nature.

These lifestyles were supported by the region's relatively untouched natural resources, like the abundance of megafauna, especially white-tailed deer and bison. Many abundant and edible plant species also inhabited the region, allowing for the hunter-gatherer lifestyle to persist for some lengthy duration of time.

Forest period

The Tsali mound in Kitara province.

The Forest period of Elia Borealis began around the turn of the first millennium, or between 400 BCE and 200 CE, where agricultural practices became more widespread, and the nomadic and hunter-gatherer ways of life began to decline. It was also marked by the development of mound-building cultures, many of which settled down and started constructing small settlements centered around central mound structures. Many tribes began to develop agrarian and pastoralist practices in lieu of the aforementioned ones, and agricultural practices continued to develop and become widespread.

Many folk religions and mythologies, like those of the Tsul 'Kalu and the moon-eyed people, and religions of the likes of the Kitu'wa among the Ama tribes and the Wočhékiye for the Škaŋkála tribal group. Many of the indigenous spiritual beliefs and religions continue to influence modern traditionalist movements within the country.

Some of the more notable artifacts of the era include many mound structures, like the infamous Tsali mound in the Kitara province, belonging to the North Ama tribe. Further north in Olíhwake province there have been numerous findings of whale bone carvings and arrowheads, as well as carved and necklaced seashells. To the east, in regions like Itókaǧa and Asgaí provinces, some stone structures and cave dwellings have been found and dated to this period.

The decline of the Forest period came around 600 CE, where many cultures became largely sedentary, and advancements began to plateau for some time. Many archeological sites throughout the country also show how cultural practices and building styles were different between coastal, mountain, and planal parts of the continent. There is also debate among archeologists over the exact start date of the Forest period, with some arguing that it should be around the earliest creation of pre-contact mound structures, around 400 BCE, making the entire Forest period last an entire millennium. Artifacts uncovered in these mounds also give evidence of village societies with a tribal trade system culture that crafted cold-worked copper pieces.

Denvsoqua period

After the Forest period of 400 BCE to 600 CE came the Denvsoqua period, lasting from 800-1400 CE. The Denvsoqua period saw further advances in agriculture, the cultivation of maize, and the foundation of more complex chiefdoms, often consisting of several villages and concentrated populations. Much of the archeological findings today originate from this era, as it also saw unique cultural advances in pottery making, storytelling, and the use of sculptures and effigies, as well as unique burial practices.

Many modern placenames are carryovers of the linguistic developments and sedentism that occurred in this era, such as Kitara province, whose name no longer matches the spelling/phonology of the Onkwehónte language of modern Gawonihisdi.

Pre-contact tribal distribution

Notable events during this period include the "Great Peace Law" (Kanien'kéha: Kaianere’kó:wa) among the northern Onkwehónte tribes (the Kanonhwarón, Gweñskë, and Nihsëh). It is believed to have occurred around c. 1190, when the Kanonhwarón tribal chief Kawehnó ("He is a leader") met with the Gweñskë chief Gëdwá ("He who speaks well") and the female Nihsëh chief Yakotsháhkwa ("She speaks truth"). At this supposed meeting, the three chiefs, led by Kawehnó, formed the basis of the Onkwehónte Confederation, the first true, albeit loose, polity of the region. The laws, despite being largely oral, were also written down in pictographic form on wampum belts and preserved amongst each specific tribe.

To the south, the various tribes of the Ama peoples inhabited much of the modern-day central and mountainous parts of the Free States, as well as much of their current homelands. Here they saw the emergence of ideas that have transferred over into the modern day, like that of Gadugi (Gawonihisdi: ᎦᏚᎩ), or "cooperative labor". Their contact with the northern Onkwehónte tribes also inspired various similar forms of proto-democratic governance in the regions controlled by Ama tribes, but it also later led to a split around the year 1300, where the traditional leaders, Ani-kutani (ᎠᏂᎫᏔᏂ) were overthrown in the northern tribes due to abuses of the people. This led to a period of over two centuries of warfare between the northern and southern Ama tribes, known as the Watsi Sagoyai Unolehvwi (ᏩᏥ ᏌᏉᏯ ᎤᏃᏴᏫ), or "Warring Nations Era," which lasted until around the 1550s, well after Calesian contact.

Furthermore, the Denvsoqua period saw much of the sedentarization of the indigenous groups as they appeared upon arrival by Calesian explorers. But the Catabolic Crisis brought about the end of the Denvsoqua, as the cold temperatures and near instantaneous climate change saw the Denvsoqua way of life torn asunder. The impacts it had on crops forced many groups back into a hunter-gatherer way of life, it also saw the migration of much of the megafauna, forcing some settlements to be abandoned. These changes left behind a plethora of archeological sites, but also saw a significant reduction in the population of Elia Borealis as a whole.

Calesian colonization

The first contact with Calesian explorers came in 1482 when they first arrived in Elia Borealis in search of new trade routes to western Abaria in the aftermath of the collapse of the Pax Artuchidia and the Artuchid Empire. While no permanent settlement was made for some time, new diseases began to spread slowly through the western coastal regions of Elia Borealis, and by the time of the first permanent Fallish settlement in 1492, much of the coastal regions had been deserted, with the indigenous peoples believing the Catabolic Crisis and subsequent spell of diseases like smallpox to be a bad omen. This demographic shift continued to be exacerbated by a growing presence of settlements along the western coast, and skirmishes with settler populations.

With the signing of the Fallish Imperial Declaration in 1504, and the subsequent establishment of the Fallish Empire, foreign colonies began lining the coast, and explorers began having regular contact with the inland tribes. Fur trappers, hunters, and prospectors were all among the earliest foreign settlers to settle within the inland regions. Additionally, the continual discoveries of gold and other resources in western Elia Borealis led more settlers and colonies westward. This laid the foundations for the modern-day neighbors of Kahneska, like Siskiyou and Josephinia.

Many inter-colonial conflicts, such as X and X, also saw many of the tribes pitted against one another, or against superior colonial armies. This in turn led to the decline and eventual collapse of the Onkwehónte Confederation in the late 1500s. However, many of the modern-day Kahneskan tribes joined together in what was known as the "2nd Great Peace," or the "Alliance of the 7 Tribes."

This new confederation saw the end of the Warring Nations Era amongst the northern and southern Ama tribes and saw all seven tribes form into the newly created Kahnekoroká Confederation ("Land of lakes and mountains"), led yet again by diplomats of the Kanonhwarón tribe. Ethnic displacement resulting from colonial settlements, war, disease and famines all invigorated the newly formed indigenous confederation to stand its ground, where it established itself as an important regional polity. The Kanonhwarón Confederation would often play off of competing colonial quarrels, utilizing its geographic position and relatively sizable military prowess to aid or defend against persistent colonial incursions. This strategy worked for some while, and the seven tribes (the North & South Ama, Kanonhwarón, Škaŋkála, Wazha'ze, Gweñskë, and Nihsëh).

The boundaries of this loose confederation were never truly defined, but it persisted as a cohesive political structure for over a century and a half, from 1589 to 1744. Its collapse was built upon the growing colonial control in Elia Borealis, and the ability by the indigenous Elian populations to begin manufacturing their own weapons was sensationalized and frightening to the settler populations. Altogether, this led to a combined invasion in 1740, and the alliance of some member tribes with the colonial powers carried out as a means of self-preservation. The "Mountain Wars" as they became known as saw periods of high-intensity combat on all sides, with many atrocities being committed. The war was also a reason for colonial powers to raise taxes on Elian settlers, resulting in the failed Revolt of 1742.

With the total collapse of the Kahnekoroká Confederation in 1744 and the surrender of the Kanonhwarón chief Tewarihote ("White Rabbit"), official indigenous resistance to the colonial powers came to a halt, though low-level conflicts and skirmishes continued. The start of the Elian Wars of Independence in 1759 meant that colonial armies would be too preoccupied with the Elian settler revolts along the "Empire Coast" to completely pacify indigenous resistance, reinvigorating the resistance once again.

This led to an informal, and never fully realized "2nd Kahnekoroká Confederation" in 1772, though its existence as an organized political force was quickly squashed, and by 1776 it came under jurisdiction of the Free States. While any mass resistance was made futile, local and tribal resistance continued.

Elian rule

Having come under Free Stater (also called Elian) jurisdiction in 1776, it was not until the 1780s that the Free States had full military and political control over the regions constituting the modern state of Kahneska. This led to the creation of the Grand Federation in 1790, and the last major armed indigenous incursion into the Empire Coast in 1794. But, while the "Ridge Wars" between Free Staters and indigenous Elians no longer raged on within the Empire Coast, it continued in modern-day Josephinia, Siskiyou, and Kahneska.

Portrait of the Battle of Ohswé

One of the most notable and decisive battles in ending any attempt at a new indigenous confederation came in 1792, at the Battle of Ohswé (known as the Battle of Stone River to Free Staters). In this battle, Kanonhwarón chief Kanikwe surrendered to Free Stater armed forces under the command of X, and with him went any real hope for independence. While the Ridge Wars did rage on indefinitely, throughout the entire existence of the Grand Federation, most fighting gradually moved eastwards, and the tribes were forcibly relocated in the same direction, occupying much of their modern lands. One such case of removal was of the Wazha'ze tribes, whose complete removal from their homelands caused many to settle in what's now Kahneska, while even more travelled west to settle in Josephinia.

The use of logging and other exploitative land practices were also crucial in the displacement of indigenous peoples in the regions, with many being forced to move from planal regions as a result of crop cultivation. While this primarily took place in the Empire Coast, the practice of using agriculture and other means to displace indigenous populations was widespread elsewhere. Mining also played a role in this, especially as Elia Borealis experienced numerous gold rushes.

The infamous Ama script of the Ama tribes also emerged during this period, with its creator, Sani (ᏌᏂ, "The old one"), spending nearly 10 years perfecting its usage before displaying it to tribal elders. The script, designed for the Ama language Gawonihisdi (ᎦᏬᏂᎯᏍᏗ) is composed of 85 characters, one for each syllable, and provides a relatively easy writing system, inspired by the scripts of many Calesian languages. The script's suitability was quickly proven, where within 10 years of its finalization, it had spread to a vast majority of the Ama, giving them almost 90% rates of literacy, nearly double that of the rest of the Grand Federation.

Map of the Tatanka Wakȟáŋ Raid

Picture of Chief Tatanka Wakȟáŋ

Some notable periods of resistance during the period of the Grand Federation were that of the microcosms known as the "Snow Wars," the Ama rebellions, and the Škaŋkála-led "Tatanka Wakȟáŋ Raid." The Snow wars happened between 1836 and 1865, where the Gweñskë and Nihsëh tribes actively resisted Free Stater rule, though it died down by the 1860s and was broadly considered a Free Stater victory. The Ama rebellions were a longstanding series of protests, riots, and low-level insurgencies by the Ama tribes, which lasted through the entirety of Free Stater rule, and often saw Elian settlers as commonplace targets, dissuading more settlers from coming to these regions, but also often instigating military reactions. The famous Tatanka Wakȟáŋ Raid was a combined effort by various Škaŋkála clans to mount a new armed resistance against the Free Stater military, it was led by Chief Tatanka Wakȟáŋ (Sacred Buffalo). The first battle, in May of 1874 was the Battle of Paha (Battle of the Hills), it was a surprise attack on the settler town and military installation of Fort Hinhan, located in the heart of the Škaŋkála territory. The raid on the town was largely a success, with the Škaŋkála horsemen raiding the understaffed fort and seizing weapons and supplies for themselves with minimal casualties. After that, they were pursued relentlessly by Free Stater forces under the command of X, who finally caught up to them in October of 1874; however, the Free Stater force ended up in an encirclement and was promptly defeated in the infamous Battle of Mni Sose (Battle of the Turbulent Waters).

Because of the embarrassing defeat at Mni Sose, the Free Stater military went full force after Tatanka's forces, though they were temporarily put back by the winter conditions. In late March of 1875, the military finally caught up to the combined forces of the Škaŋkála, and defeated them, arresting a wounded Tatanka in the Battle of Peji Sapa (Black Grass). Overall, the "Tatanka Campaign" took the lives of between 800 and 900 people on all sides and saw the Free Stater military step up its occupation of indigenous-majority lands.

In the aftermath of Tatanka's defeat, there came a new, radical millenarian religious practice, it was called the "Spirit Dance," which preached that proper practice of the circle dance would reunite the living with spirits of the dead, bring the spirits to fight on their behalf, end Free Stater Eastward expansion, and bring peace, prosperity, and unity to Native Elian peoples throughout the region. Within a year of its conception by the Škaŋkála healer Wakíŋyaŋ Hótepi ("Thunder Speaks") in 1879, it spread swiftly throughout the continent. The Ama, Kanonhwarón, and Wazha'ze tribes all picked it up within a year, hosting "spirit dancing" ceremonies of their own in 1880 and 1881, though these were soon to be cracked down upon by the military of the Grand Federation. The Spirit Dance is still practiced in some parts of Kahneska today.

Eventually, by the 1880s, the Grand Federation had begun to weaken, and tensions rose between the settlers on the Empire Coast and those in the east, who sought less government centralization and control. After the 1889 Casper Convention in Josephinia, the Elian Civil War began, with various eastern settler republics, like Kahneska, Siskiyou, and Josephinia all rising up against the rule of the Empire Coast. This war was the deadliest ever on the continent, but did see a crucial resurgence in armed indigenous warfare, and an alliance of convenience between the native Elian populations and the various anti-Grand Federation republics. During the civil war, many famed leaders of the later Kahneskan federation gained notoriety, such as the female Ama General Ahyoka (ᎠᎭᏲᎧ, or "She brought happiness"). Even the jailed Chief Tatanka was freed during the outbreak of the war and managed to rally a force of 1,200 Škaŋkála warriors to fight alongside him against the Grand Federation. And, after 7 years of fighting, the war concluded with a defeat for the Free States, forcing them to give up their claims to most of the eastern and central parts of the continent.

Modern history

With the collapse of the Grand Federation in 1896, independence was granted to the republics of Siskiyou, Josephinia, and Kahneska, all under settler-dominated systems. This system was essentially an apartheid and would later serve as a model for the apartheid of countries like Borvastaat. In Kahneska, then called the Republic of Kahneska, the settler-controlled government enacted a strict series of segregationist laws. This system, led by a man of Fallish descent, President Johnathan Hayes, only lasted 3 years, when numerous failed attempts at disarmament of the indigenous populations led to a popular revolt by the indigenous population, one that verged on insurrection at times. The "Autumn Revolution" saw a mostly peaceful overthrow of the segregationist regime. However, some settlers, members of the rather small Liberal and Communist parties, did collaborate with the indigenous resistance, and in 1899 established the "Federated States of Kahneska." This new government frightened many of the neighboring countries, causing their governments to repress their indigenous populations even further, though it adopted a dual democratic structure to preserve the rights of the tribes and of the settler population, who made up 20% of the population at the time, significantly lower than all neighboring states.

The new state struggled to gain recognition and feared an invasion from the likes of the Free States or Siskiyou, but managed to organize itself, nonetheless. The "Act of Federation," passed on December 20th, 1899, is broadly considered the founding document of the modern Kahneskan state, it stipulated equal rights for all citizens (including the rights to gun ownership), the complete legalization of labor unions, the nationalization of certain key industries (utilizing the principle of Gadugi), and the establishment of a "tribal-federal dual sovereignty," wherein tribal governments retain the rights to legislate/judge customary law, meanwhile civil regional and federal governments legislate civil law. This system prevented the non-indigenous citizens from being subject to tribal laws, but also created a tribal advisory organ within the federal government, the National House of Chiefs to oversee all bills affecting tribal organization and property, customary law, and the administration of customary courts, before they are to be discussed in the Kahneskan Parliament. Members must also be consulted when the constitution is being reviewed or amended. The body also has the power to summon members of government to appear before it.

The executive function of government was modeled off of both the Free States and the earlier indigenous confederations in the region. It was composed of a 7-seat collective executive council, all of whom serve as the collective head of state. However, it is customary to have a president, who is elected annually, on a conventionally rotational basis, that presides over meetings of the Executive Council of Kahneska. This president in elected by the Kahneskan parliament. The first such president, serving from 1899-1900 was Chief Tatanka Wakȟáŋ, who served within the executive council for four years before resigning refusing to serve again in 1903. In the early years, proportional party representation was made challenging, largely due to the volatile nature of Kahneskan politics with traditionalists and nationalists often battling it out with more secular center- and left-winged parties.

President Tsianina Tayanita, c. 1915

The first female president was elected to the executive council in 1913 at the age of 31 and became president in 1915 at the age of 33. Tsianina Tayanita was a heavily influential figure in Kahneskan politics and worked ruthlessly to ensure women's rights in Kahneska and abroad. Being of mixed Ama and Gweñskë descent, her leadership also managed to unify the country in a period where inter-tribal tensions were growing, as well as tensions with many neighboring nations. Since her reign, there has been at least one woman on the executive council at all times.

TBD

Notes

a.^ Gawonihisdi: ᏗᎦᎢᏍᏗ ᎤᏪᏘᏍᎬ ᎠᏧᏣᎳᏅᏍᎩ; Kanien'kéha: Kahneska Nitonkwa'tsheró Ohskenón; Iyuha: Kahneska Očháŋžapi Othúwahe; Ínts’o: 𐓄𐓐𐒰𐒼𐒻 𐓊𐒻𐓓𐒻 𐓊𐒰𐒼𐒻 𐒼𐒰͘𐓁𐒷𐓆𐒼𐒰; Goyogohó: Kahneska Gëjohsë önyö:’gwah; twayaʔ: Kahneska Tetwatatyahthónt