Celestial Empire
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The Celestial Empire of the Moon, Stars, and Sea Ik' Ka' Ek' A Kai Malama Apetu'a Akai | |
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 Flag | |
Motto: Kaole matou ke iloa hea ke holau, 'ae matou ke aru | |
| File:Work In Progress | |
| Capital and largest city | Makuahine |
| Official languages | Yocatullic (Western dialect) |
| Recognized languages | Yocatullic (Southern), Yocatullic (Eastern), Fatafafoluan, Iwikuamoan, Kakanuiean |
| Ethnic groups | Sublustrian (100%) [ESTIMATE] |
| Demonym(s) | Yocatullic |
| Government | Tribal confederation |
• Ari'i Tapairu | Malama Kai La'au Yocatul |
| Legislature | Tribal council |
| History | |
• Founding | 14th century(?) |
| Area | |
• | [convert: invalid number] |
| Population | |
• 2015 estimate | 3,000,000 |
| GDP (nominal) | estimate |
• Total | 1 Billion USD |
| HDI | 0.4 low |
| Currency | Kalaka (KLK) |
| Driving side | right |
The Confederation of the Moon, Stars, and Sea (Yocatullic: Ik' Ka' Ek' Akai IPA: [iːkʼaʔɛkʼakʼai]; Common dialect: Malama apetu'a a kai IPA: [malaːma apeːtuʔa a kai]), officially The Celestial Empire of the United Yocatullic Isles of the Twelve Tribes of the Moon, Stars, and Sea (Yocatullic: Kotahi A'ua'a Hona Yocatala Motu'a Te'arua Hapu'a Ik' Ka' Ek' Akai or Kotahi A'ua'a Hona Yocatala Motu'a Te'arua Hapu'a Malama Apetu'a A Kai), often colloquially referred to as the Celestial Isles, is a sovereign archipelago located in the Southern Vehemens Ocean near the equator. It holds a small population of some 750,000 estimated indigenous people, although no official census has ever occurred, with the main population center being the capital city known as Makuahine. Each island only hosts a single city in which all residents live, with the population surviving primarily on taro production and food imports, with a minor remnant contribution of a hunter-gatherer lifestyle.
The islands were populated by a migrating wave of colonists during the 2nd century BCE after a cataclysmic event on their homeland called Hawa'iki (hawaʔiːkiː). Modern researchers have interpreted the traditional account as a rapid evacuation following a violent volcanic eruption that may have destroyed the original island. Twelve tribes landed on separate islands and settled upon them, living in relative isolation amongst each other apart from the occasional visit by southern neighbors. By the year 1000 CE, the twelve tribes had formed a tribal league, during which the chieftains of each island would meet in the central village of Makuahine to discuss affairs and establish peaceful relations, although some reports indicate these meetings were issued to ensure war between two islands did not disrupt the peacetime activity of the others. The League endured a civil war from 1623-1630 CE, after which Makuahine consolidated power and formed a tribal confederation to replace the older treaty. After the formation of the confederation, the country was closed, denying all access to foreigners for a full century. After reopening, a wave of anthropologists rushed to the islands to study their habits and record their language and culture, with the classical Ronorono glyphic script preserved by one such student. Although the islands faced troubles in the next few centuries, they retained independence and underdevelopment. In 1945 CE, the country's borders closed once more, and remained so until 2000 CE. Within the past decade, the site has become a hotspot for ecotourism, as well as anthropologists wishing to study Mesolithic arts and crafts.
The Celestial Isles today retains its tribal confederate structure of governance, with occasional skirmishes. The relative underdevelopment and sense of tradition means that ancient weapons are still in common use in tribal conflict, although machetes have also been adopted for occasional use. The current monarch is High Chieftess Kaila'au of the Yocatul dynasty, which is reported to have existed since the first wave of settlers to the islands. When national issues arise, the chieftains gather in Makuahine to discuss politics and ensure each has the resources necessary for the good of their people.
The Celestial Isles is not well known throughout Kylaris due to the insular, isolated geography and the previously hostile nature of the indigenous people, although recent availability and openness has allowed researchers to study them in more depth than previously. Due to a lack of data, including a lack of official census, many details about the population of the Celestial Isles are unknown, and a lack of expats in foreign states only further acts as a testament to the difficulty of acquiring detailed information about life inside the Isles.