Okimili
Okimili Confederacy Omu Okimmilī | |
---|---|
Motto: 'Gidi gidi bụ ugwu eze' Unity is Strength | |
Capital and largest city | Ngwochendo |
Official languages | Aga |
Ethnic groups (2020) | Aga 31% Arhi 25% Uzo 16% Eket 9% Others 19% |
Demonym(s) | Okimilian |
Government | Confederal elective constitutional monarchy |
Onyekachukwu | |
Azubuike | |
Legislature | Ìkénga |
Independence from TBD | |
Population | |
• 2020 estimate | 11,082,871 |
GDP (nominal) | 2020 estimate |
• Total | $190 billion |
• Per capita | $17,148 |
HDI (2020) | 0.793 high |
Currency | Okimili Egoe |
The Okimili Confederacy (Aga: Omu Okimmilī), more commonly referred to as Okimili (Aga: Okimmilī), is a confederal sovereign state in Idica, bordered by State 1 to the north, State 2 to the west, and State 3 to the east. It has an estimated population of roughly 11 million, divided into eight Oraeze which are united as a confederation and are responsible for much of their own governance.
One of the first areas in Levilion to be consistently inhabited by Homo Sapiens, Okimili has seen the presence of modern humans since the early neolithic era. Its precolonial history was marked by the emergence of several smaller city-states clustered along the banks of the Okimili river and Ebili coast, which would engage in conflicts for much of the antique era. In roughly 150 BCE the region saw the birth of the Nkuziani religion, and by the beginning of the common era this faith would be the dominant faith on the Ebili coast of Idica. The strongest of the city states was Otutudei, which boasted the strongest oracles and a large army, and was able to achieve a position of quasi-dominance over the other states. However, in 900 CE Otutudei was struck by an earthquake which levelled much of the town and caused its people to desert to other cities in the belief that it was cursed. This paved the way for Ngwochendo to merge as the dominant state, following a period of intense war. The arrival of Auressiaans brought many of these city states under the protection of Rythene, which undermined the traditionally democratic systems of governance with warrant chiefdoms in order to easier control the area. Following the decline of imperialism in the 20th century, the Okimilian city-states were united into a confederal state, so as to preserve their independence while remaining one nation for th purposes of defence and foreign relations.
In the modern period, Okimili is a wealthy state. Its relative political stability when compared to the neighbouring states of Idica, as well as peaceful transition towards independence and close relations with Auressia have propelled the nation to prominence in its region. Its economy is reliant on tourism, with significant inputs from agriculture, in particular palm oil, and in shipping and shipbuilding. However, Okimili is also widely regarded as a highly authoritarian state with strong restrictions on political and press freedoms. While the larger urban areas are wealthy, many rural areas are comparatively poor and even lack basic amenities such as power and drinking water. Ethnic tensions are also present, as the Aga are the ethnic group of the nobility and receive privileges over the other groups who together make up the majority of Okimili's population.
Etymology
The name Okimili is derived from the Okimili river, which is a central feature of the nation's internal geography. The name was chosen during the first Izùchi Ezè by the assembled chiefs, representing a shared geographic point of identity as opposed to an ethnic name which would be seen as discriminatory. In colonial times, the area was referred to as Agaland by the Rythene administration. Okimili is in itself a Rythenisation of the Aga name for the river, Okimmilī, which is derived from the terms Oke (Great size) and Mmilī (River), literally translating to "Great River", a calque which is sometimes used instead to refer to the country.