Martvatsa

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

Martvatsa (Khamli: მართვაცა martvatsa) was a form of government practiced by the Rasmi people, particularly in mainland Auressia. 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.

Government

- 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.

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