Martvatsa

A meeting between a Chiskor (fourth from the left), an Ela, and several Mtavaris, and retainers

Martvatsa (Khamli: მართვაცა martvatsa) is a form of government practiced by the Rasmi people, particularly in Oriental Auressia and Turukia. The martvatsa could be sovereign governments which administrated defined territories, or an ethnic government without definable land and which may operate inside one or several other states, or indeed could be both.

The word Martvatsa derives from the Khamli martva and Kitsi tsa, which literally means commands from the tsa or tent government. This is in reference to both the itinerant nature of mainland Rasmi, and how the leader of a martvatsa or bayrakh would issue their decrees and edicts from a semi-open tsa which would often feature their buntsuk.

In the modern-day it is not a form of government used by any states, though it remains a form of local and national organisation for many Rasmi worldwide.

Government

Gidi Makhach, a famous Chiskor in the 19th century

- Chiskor shares power with and is legitimised by a relationship by the Ela. They act as a captain and source of authority, while the ela form a council to administrate, arbitrate, and act as the judiciary.

- Chiskor is hereditary, but their position is dependent upon the loyalty of mtavari. Mtavari and bayrakhs are flexible, can move between martvatsa if they exist, and have the opportunity (indeed in many cases they can literally move).

- Chiskor and Bayrakh are personal community leaders, expected to hold court each day and deal with issues and disputes, or get the Ela to deal with them if it's outside of their purview.

Modern-day

While no sovereign Martvatsas still exist, as an intra- and inter-state national entities they are still strong and are often the main way for Rasmi of different nationalities to organise within their host country and remain connected across borders. While influenced by nationalism, particularly in the 19th and early 20th century, they still remain highly diverse ethnically and linguistically while keeping to a Rasmi identity and Aulaic religious profession.

The largest number of Martvatsas can be found in Pelemia, where some are recognised as 'Autonomous Ethno-religious Communities' and receive limited self-governance. Similar accommodations are found in Sulatia, the Bolshtine Republic, and Tyrnica.

Although historically transient, the populations of most Martvatsas are now settled. A few have definable borders and are the majority in their local areas, while others are spread widely. Urbanisation in the 20th and 21st centuries has weakened many Martvatsas, as they both become more dispersed, and their members lose interest in the traditions and diminishing benefits of belonging to what are increasingly perceived as archaic institutions.

Notes

chiskor ჩისქორი - leader of the martvatsa, from Svan for gateway, threshold

mtavari მთავარი - chief, head of a bayrakh

martvatsa მართვაცა - tent government from Rasmi martva 'government' and Chechen 'tsa' tent/temporary dwelling

zaor - meeting 'battle' from adyghe

surkho - hereditary military nobility

bayrakh - banner, administrative division