Mava

Mava Maava
Sui generis territory
Flag Coat of arms
Anthem: Maava Mulatkiimiik "Anthem of Mava"
Map showing location of Mava (circled)
Country	Atitlan
Settlement	9th century
Annexation	13 July 1836
Current status	1 March 2009
Capital	Paas
Official languages	Mavean Almagrian
Demonym(s)	Maavamuqtun (Anglish: Mavean)
Government	Devolved locally-administered unincorporated area within a constitutional monarchy
• Monarch	Macuilxochitzin
• Leader of the Council	Kausaanek Malaati
Legislature	Mava Council
Area
• Total	1,734 km2 (670 sq mi) (not ranked)
Highest elevation	1,345 m (4,413 ft)
Population
• 2022 estimate	2,713
• Density	1/km2 (2.6/sq mi)
GDP (nominal)	not ranked estimate
• Total	$43.324 million
• Per capita	$15,969 (not ranked)
Currency	Atitlanese peso ($) (ATP)
Time zone	UTC-09:00
Date format	dd/mm/yyyy (AD)
Calling code	+910
ISO 3166 code	MV AT-MV
Internet TLD	.mv

Mava, officially called the Autonomous Territorial Area of the Mava Islands, is an archipelago in the Sarosan Ocean. Composed principally of three main islands, of which only the largest is ocupied, the entire territory consists of around 1,700 sq km of territory in the western islands of Triania. Formally an unincorporated territorial area of Atitlan, Mava has a significant degree of internal self-governance, with Atitlan responsible for defence, foreign affairs, and supplies of important goods and services. The capital and only major settlement is Paas on the island of Mava.

Settlers from continental Triania first arrived on the islands in the 9th century. Colonial contact with the islands occured in the 1820s, with the islands coming under Atitlanese rule in 1836 after a number of expeditions earlier in the decade. The islands served primarily as a naval station, giving Atitlan a greater presence in the Sarosan Ocean and a place in Triania, with little direct contact between Atitlan and Mavean peoples. Beginning in the 1910s, the process of establishing a civil government began, with a number of Catholic schools established to spread the faith and the Almagrian language. The declining power of the Atitlanese empire, culminating in its dissolution in 1946.

Beginning in the 1950s following the Atitlanese Civil War, the governing authorities on the island have increasingly devolved political power to native Maveans. In 1972, the island was formally declared an autonomous territory with its own independent organs of self-government. In 2009, a constitution was finally given to the islands, formally establishing the territory as an unincorporated territorial area and defining the relationship between Maveans and Atitlan proper. The population, which is concentrated mainly on the northern coast of Mava Island, remains under-developed, with limited access to basic services. With an estimated population of 2,713 and a per capita income of $1,860, it is one of the least populated and poorest territories in the world.

History

The Eguilondo Kingdom

In July 1867, Ibarmentudiak adventurer and convicted fraudster Otaño Eguilondo arrived in Mava, after having read a number of books on the Antarctic. He had been inspired by stories of travellers creating new societies in newly-discovered lands, and mistakenly believed that the population of Mava was little more than a few hundred. He landed at the modern settlement of Kaá'i in late July and immediately made contact with the local people. Initially surprised at the larger population than previously believed, he quickly ingratiated himself into the local community, using his talent for deceit to establish some influence. He claimed that he was a member of the deposed Aguirregoitiafelipenas dynasty, taking advantage of the Mavean custom of affording reverence to persons of a higher class, irrespective of their background. By 1870, he had fully adopted a Mavean identity, taking the name Kasaak Tanaana and marrying a local woman, who died shortly after the birth of his first child.

In 1875, he was elected leader of Mava, the largest and most populous of the Mavean islands. His election was bolstered by repeated claims of royal ancestry as well as claims of a planned Ibarmentudiak invasion, which he pledged he could avert. In 1878, he proclaimed himself King of Mava on grounds of being the class equal of any potential coloniser. He took the name Káakaia II, claiming "spiritual decent" from the semi-mythical chief Kaakaia, who is believed to have ruled in the seventeenth century, and issued a number of decrees establishing a new nobility and political system based on his homeland. Shortly after his accession, he married Naakala Kingup, the daughter of the previous ruler, thus further cementing his claim to leadership.

The Atitlanese authorities were alerted to his presence and promptly deported him, forcing him to write an official letter renouncing his claimed title and admitting to the falsehoods he had spread. Until the 1980s, there remained a substantial number of people who recognised Eguilondo and his descendants as legitimate rulers of the island. In 1987, papers were released in Ibarmentudia confirming his stories to be fabrications, undermining his reputation.

Self-government and modern history

As the Atitlanese Empire entered into sustained decline, independence was explored for most colonies. Mava, because of its small population and relative underdevelopment was never seriously considered for this. However, there were discussions about providing a measure of self-government, but these were undermined by a lack of political support and continued economic stagnation.

Beginning in the 1910s, realising that Mava would likely remain under Atitlanese sovereignty for the foreseable future, the Atitlanese government promoted a policy of Catholicisation and Atitlanisation. Catholic missionaries set up a number of schools instilling Catholic faith and promoting the Almagrian language. Although attempts to spread the faith were successful, partly because of its deliberate comparisons to native religions, the teaching of Almagrian was resented by the indigenous population. In the 1930s, this policy was silently dropped, although it wasn't until the 1960s that the Atitlanese government formally renounced it.

Following the Atitlanese Civil War, a renewed interest in Mavean self-government resulted in the creation of an advisory Mava Council in 1956. This body had no political power and its members were unpaid. In 1964, the Council were given some limited powers over culture and education, and from 1967 its members were paid. A final step was the election of the body, with the first being held in 1970. Finally, in 1972, the islands were given autonomy under the Mava Statute, with the Mava Council given formal legislative powers in a wider range of policy areas.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Mava enjoyed continued social and economic development, with per capita income increasing by around 4 percent year on year. Through an increase in revenue from fishing and mining, the government was able to expand public services to the point that Maveans became amongst the richest in the world. However, the decline in revenue from the early 1980s resulted in a significant drop in living standards, with cuts in government services resulting in a rise in poverty, illness, and crime.

Beginning in 1987, the discovery of polymetallic nodules in Mavean territorial waters provided for a sudden economic boost. The mining of nickel and copper drew in much-needed revenue, enabling the government to invest in social programs and begin the process of diversifying the economy, although this has only seen minimal success.

The twenty-first century has seen a modest level of social and economic development, with a steady growth in per capita income and a moderate expansion in individual rights as traditional values recede. In 2002, new divorce laws removed the need for a special Act of the Council terminating a marriage, with a limited liberalisation in abortion laws following in 2009.

In 2009, the Mava Constitution entered into force, establishing the islands under their current political regime.

Geography

Köppen climate types in Mava

The country comprises two main islands, Great Mava and Little Mava, which are separated by the Mava Strait, and the smaller Taak. Great Mava is the largest of the island (1386 km²), followed by Little Mava (305 km²) and Taak (44 km²). Together, these islands and the surrounding rocks and islets make up the Mava Islands, for which the country is named. The two larger islands are characterised by their long east-to-west coastlines, with Mava being approximately 77 km long and 18 km wide. Little Mava is 11 km long and 4 km wide. The smallest of the main islands, Taak, is approximately 15 km long and 3 km wide.

Approximately 30 percent of Mava is covered in Magellanic subpolar forests, mostly in the south. The forests are home to a variety of flora. The southern beech (Nothofagus) is a common tree across the Mava islands. Because of the mostly untouched nature of many of these forests, a variety of animals have successfully established habitats. Amongst Mava's fauna include the southern river otter, the Magellanic woodpecker, the Trianian sierra-finch, and the Trianian condor.

Climate

Mava has a maritime climate, sitting in the transition region between the tundra (Köppen classifications ET) and subarctic zones (Cfc). The climate is characterised my a minimal temperature range across days and seasons. There is no marked wet and dry season, with the climate influenced by the cool ocean currents and southerly winds.

The average maximum temperature in January is around 12 °C (55 °F), whilst the July maximum average temperature drops to around 2 °C (35 °F). Average rainfall ranges from around 280-300mm in lowland areas to upwards of 1,500 mm in mountain terrain. Average rainfall is 890 mm. The weather is also characterised by humidity and high winds, the latter inspiring the name of the "Windy Islands". In wintertime, gales are particularly common. Despite the cold climate, snow is not common at any time of year, although it can appear in all months.

Climate data for Mava
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	25.6 (78.1)	23.4 (74.1)	22.1 (71.8)	22.9 (73.2)	16.6 (61.9)	14.3 (57.7)	13.0 (55.4)	14.8 (58.6)	15.6 (60.1)	18.0 (64.4)	19.7 (67.5)	21.9 (71.4)	25.6 (78.1)
Average high °C (°F)	12.0 (53.6)	12.1 (53.8)	11.3 (52.3)	9.5 (49.1)	6.7 (44.1)	5.4 (41.7)	4.8 (40.6)	5.0 (41.0)	5.7 (42.3)	7.2 (45.0)	8.8 (47.8)	10.7 (51.3)	8.3 (46.9)
Daily mean °C (°F)	8.2 (46.8)	8.4 (47.1)	7.7 (45.9)	6.1 (43.0)	3.8 (38.8)	2.6 (36.7)	2.0 (35.6)	2.2 (36.0)	2.7 (36.9)	3.9 (39.0)	5.2 (41.4)	7.0 (44.6)	5.0 (41.0)
Average low °C (°F)	4.5 (40.1)	4.7 (40.5)	4.0 (39.2)	2.8 (37.0)	1.0 (33.8)	−0.1 (31.8)	−0.7 (30.7)	−0.6 (30.9)	−0.4 (31.3)	0.5 (32.9)	1.7 (35.1)	3.4 (38.1)	−0.7 (30.7)
Record low °C (°F)	−1.7 (28.9)	−1.2 (29.8)	−2.4 (27.7)	−4.6 (23.7)	−7.4 (18.7)	−8.7 (16.3)	−9.1 (15.6)	−9.7 (14.5)	−7.8 (18.0)	−5.3 (22.5)	−4.6 (23.7)	−3.5 (25.7)	−9.7 (14.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	52.4 (2.06)	44.6 (1.76)	59.4 (2.34)	64.6 (2.54)	70.4 (2.77)	69.3 (2.73)	69.6 (2.74)	60.9 (2.40)	56.5 (2.22)	46.3 (1.82)	51.0 (2.01)	52.1 (2.05)	697.1 (27.44)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.2 mm)	7.9	7.3	9.2	9.7	12.0	10.7	12.1	9.7	9.1	8.1	8.4	9.1	113.3
Mean monthly sunshine hours	187.4	158.6	145.8	114.7	95.5	74.9	86.1	106.7	128.4	153.6	166.8	182.5	1,601
Source: Government of Mava

Government and politics

Main article: Politics of Mava

Mava is a a self-governing territory under the sovereignty of Atitlan. The Law on the Government of Mava 1928 allowed a local authority to be established in the islands for the first time, having previously being governed directly from Atlalilco by an appointed governor. Accordingly, in 1929 the Mava Islands Council was established as a sui generis authority, the islands being neither a state nor part of a state. The law granted the council the "powers, duties, and liabilities" of a municipality, with the Leader of the Council having the status of a municipal mayor.

With the discovery of oil reserves in the 1940s, international commercial interest in the islands resulted in a change in their status. The internationally negotiated Law on the Status of Mava 1960 reiterated full Atitlanese sovereignty over the archipelago, but reemphasised the islands' unique status. Under the legislation, which has the effect of international law, Atitlan is limited in its ability to collect taxes in Mava, resulting in low tax and no value added tax. It also provides for a separate visa and migratory regime, and grants the newly-renamed Mava Council the powers of a state congress, with additional powers over certain aspects of foreign policy. The islands were demilitarised.

Mava is a self-governing territory. Under its 2009 Constitution, the islands are classified as an "unincorporated territorial area of the jurisdiction of the Federal Government of Atitlan" with full internal self-governance. Atitlan remains formally responsible for foreign affairs, defence, and good government. Under this system, Mava is not a part of Atitlan, being classified in international law as a "territory for which the Atitlan is responsible." Maveans are also not Atitlan citizens, classified instead as Atitlanese nationals. They possess Atitlanese passports, albeit with certain limitations on their use, but may not live and work unrestricted in Atitlan proper.

The debating chamber of Mava Council

Mava Council (Mavean: Maava Taapiit) is the territory's unicameral legislature, consisting of sixteen members. All members are elected every three years via the block vote system in one single at-large constituency. The chair of the Council serves as its presiding officer. The Council elects a leader from amongst its members, who leads a cabinet of up to eight members. The leader serves as head of government and cabinet is responsible for exercising executive authority in the islands.

The islands' judicial system operates on the basis of civil law, derived from Atitlan. The Mava Organic Act provides for certain fundamental laws that bind the islands' government. Because of its small population, the majority of serious criminal cases are heard in Atitlan. The Court of Mava is the sole court on the island, headed by a chairman (the Chief Judge of Mava) who presides with four lay judges. The Court of Mava has unlimited original jurisdiction in civil matters, and limited jurisdiction in criminal matters, hearing only those matters not selected for hearing in Atitlan proper. Law enforcement is the responsibility of the Mava Police, although the Atitlanese Federal Police provide additional support when requested and help to train and maintain local policing units.

Military

The Atitlanese Federal Coast Guard maintains a small station in Mava, with a rotating staff.

Administrative divisions

The island of Great Mava is the only permanently inhabited island. Paas, the territory's capital, is the only major urban area where the vast majority of the 2,700 people live. Consequently, there are only two formal administrative divisions: Inner (Itiqip) and Outer (Mtakip). Inner consists of Pass and the immediate rural areas surrounding it. Mtakip consists of the remainder of Mava Island and the other islands of the archipelago. Because of the small and concentrated population, there is no provision for local government.

Economy

The Mavean economy is described as "small, unmixed, and vulnerable," with a high dependence on fishing. Cod and salmon are important trading commodities and is the main employment for islanders and the single largest source of income. Because of this dependence, the economy is considered particularly vulnerable to changes in climate as well as competition from other nations, resulting in a comparatively per capita GDP of 9,120. The largest single employer is Ikaamaayakii Siagakakak (National Fishing Company), which is a state-owned industry and employs between 25 and 35 percent of the country's working population.

Mining also constitutes an important part of the economy. Polymetallic nodules are present in Mava's territorial waters, with the mining of nickel, copper, and molybdenum providing an important boost to the economy from the 1980s. Recent attempts have been made to phase out mining as a source of national income and to create a maritime reserve. The Mavean government committed to pursuing a path towards reducing its dependency on mining, although little progress has been made.

Other important industries include finance and business (10.7%), housing (8.1%), and hospitality (5.3%).

Tourism

Tourism in Mava was undeveloped until relatively recently. Mava has become an increasingly popular tourist attraction for wildlife watching, outdoor activities, and cultural attractions. There are a number of rivers running across the islands that offer opportunities for canoeing and kayaking, prompting the growth of a new service indutry. Hiking and camping is also a popular pursuit. In 2019, the Mava Tourist Board released a campaign called "roughing it", which encouraged adventurers to visit Mava.

Despite its growth in recent years, tourism in Mava remains comparatively low. In 2020 the government reported that tourism numbers for the period 2018-2019 stood at approximately 9,000, an increase from around 2,000 a decade earlier. Despite its recent emphasis on tourism as a source of national income, the government's annual economic report revealed that tourism accounts for only around 1.9 percent of the national economy.

The majority of tourists arrive by cruise ship, docking in Paas Harbour.

Transport

Kuraava Tanigak Airport

There are two airports that provide air transport between Mava and other nations: The Kuraava Tanigak International Airport and the Paas International Airport, both located in the capital city Paas. The two airports cater to international flights, the latter focussing on destinations in mainland Triania. There is also bat traffic that links Mava with continental Triania. Roads are largely concentrated in the north of Mava Island, where the majority of settlements are based and where the land is generally flatter. Roads generally link urban areas, with few country roads due to the lack of countryside activities and hostile climate. The island of Tokuksiagak has one main road that links the town of Aripmek to the harbour.

Beginning in the 1950s, a number of roads have been constructed in the south of Mava Island, with the Mava Ring Road following the coastline along the north, east, and south of the island.

The Pekinerasartok Harbour is the main harbour, providing sea access for civil and government vessels. The Harbour is an important import/export hub, and also links Mava with the Outer Islands. The habour is overseen by the Pekinerasartok Harbour Authority, which enforces law through a specialist Pekinerasartok Harbour Police Force. There are also ports in Pmaak and Miilep.

Energy

Beginning in the 21st century, the government has sought to replace the use of fossil fuels with renewable energy sources. The primary focus is on windpower, taking advantage of the natural climate. In 2013, five 330 kW turbines were installed on the outskirts of Paas. In 2018, three offshore turbines were installed. As of 2023, there is limited capacity to store surplus wind energy, with an underdeveloped battery storage system.

Demographics

Mava has a population of 2,713 (2021 estimate), up from 2,529 according to the 2011 census. The vast majority are ethnic Mavean or part-ethnic Mavean. Almost 95 percent of residents are indigenous Maveans, with another 3 percent being mixed-Mavean (i.e., being of part-Mavean background). Under laws dating back to the 1880s that still remain in force, a person may claim to be an ethnic Mavean if at least five pairs of their eight great-grandparents are Mavean.

Ethnic groups (2016)

  Mavean (94.3%)

  Part-Mavean (3.1%)

  Atitlanese/Visible minority (2.1%)

  Other (0.5%)

The majority of mixed-race Maveans claim some descent from the Atitlanese population resident on the island during colonial rule, although a small number claim ancestry from other Trianian people.

The population has remained stable for most of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. However, economic stagnation in the 1970s and 1980s resulted in many Maveans migrating to Atitlan proper (approximately 200 doing so). The economic growth arising in the late 1980s and 1990s as a consequence of oil in Mavean waters led to many émigrés returning.

Languages

The most spoken language spoken in Mavean, a Trianian language considered to be vulnerable due to a speaking population of only around 25,000 people. Almagrian is a co-official language, but retains only formal recognition and is limited to a small Atitlanese community. Anglish is also widespread and is taught alongside Almagrian as part of foreign languages lessons in schools.

Religion

Mava religiosity
Religion			Percentage
Christianity			92%
Indigenous beliefs			5%
Others			2%
None			1%

The predominant religion in Mava is Christianity, with the vast majority of practitioners (82 percent) being Roman Catholic. Roman Catholicism was introduced by Atitlanese colonists in the nineteenth century, and promoted amongst the indigenous population by missionaries. A small number of Protestant groups also exist on the islands, believed to have emerged out of Protestant émigrés escaping persecution. The majority of Protestants - mostly belonging to a uniting church - live in Paas, where the only Protestant churches are located. A small number of other Protestant denominations and Christian groups are also present on the islands, although they exist in small numbers and, in some cases, overlap with Catholic and major Protestant theologies.

Education

Education is free and compulsory for all people between the ages of 6 and 16. It consists of five years of primary education, three years of lower secondary education, and two years of higher secondary education. It is publicly funded through a mixture of government funds and Atitlanese subsidies and is free of charge to students.

There is no provision for further or higher education on the islands. Students seeking post-16 studies have to travel abroad, with Atitlan and Zyang the most common destinations.

Culturally, Maveans hold education and scholarship in high esteem, with a number of prominent Mavean academics and researchers considered important figures. The National Library of Mava, in Paas, serves as a repository for all doctoral and master's dissertations written by Maveans in any country, as well as scholarly publications by or about Maveans. This is publicly available free of charge.

Culture

Storytelling and literature

Storytelling forms an important part of Mavean culture, with the passing of tales from one generation to the next a common way of establishing strong links between elders and youth. This form of storytelling, called Okiigoat Kahaatu (lit. "Warn Telling") originated in the warnings given to adolescents about the threats they may face, but evolved into a broader type of group activity. Different orators tell different stories, but a number of common themes run through most: a young person entering into the adult world, an individual/animal/spirit trying to lead them astray, and the realisation that they were being led astray.

Several of these stories have been recorded and compiled into published works. Some of these have become internationally known, including Koeaatowurah, and have brought Mavean culture to foreign audiences.

Cuisine

The Mavean diet consists largely of meat from marine mammals, fish, and birds. Because of the lack of arable land and the country's geography, much of Mavea's diety is derived from the ocean. The national dish is the tupiril pnaa ("second duck"), which emerged from the use of leftover roasted meat from the pintail.

Fish is a common ingredient. Popular fish used in Mavean dishes include the zebra trout and the spotted minnow, both of which are commonly used in breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Until 1998, otter meat was a commonly used ingredient, but an effort to protect them, as well as its adoption as Mava's national animal, led to a significant reduction in the consumption of otter. In 2016, the buying, butchering, and selling of otter meat was made illegal.

Sport

Maveans consider sport an important part of their culture, being amongst the most active populations in the world. Popular sports include football, track and field, canoeing, shooting, and, skiing. Sporting is overseen by Haukaaqa Maava ("Sport Mava"), a public body sponsored by the government and which oversees and implements policies relating to sporting.

Because of its geography and climate, winter sports are common across the country. Skiing is widely considered the national sport, with fishing, snowboarding, luge, and bobsleigh common across generations. Although the environment is not generally suited to them, sports such as golf, tennis, and surfing are present and of increasing popularity.

Media

Mava Council's Communities and Families Services is responsible for overseeing and regulating media and broadcasting. There are two newspapers circulating on the island: Maava Maawk Naaruamgukip (Mava Weekly Mail), which is published every Sunday, and the Kiiyiptuumilik Tuumilikip(Swift Flash). Television, radio, and internet media services are provided by Atitlanese providers.

See also

• Politics of Mava
• Culture of Mava

External links

• Mava. The Global Factbook. United Nations