Okimili
Okimili Confederacy Omu Okimmilī | |
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 Flag
 Coat of arms
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| 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. 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. Ngwochendo and the other Idican polities were in contct with Selajung during the Alawokambese Thalassocratic Period and there was a period of cultural exchange. Auressian influence began with trade, but as economic involvement intensified so too did the activities of missionary groups who sought to convert the Idican peoples from their native faiths. This provoked anger among the populations, and after Ngwochendo officially closed its doors to Auressians many other city-states followed suit. A war would rage from 1812-1817, as Rythene and several other Auressian nations fought to extend their religious influence over the Idican states, before in 1817 signing a peace treaty with the Ngwochendo-led coalition. This victory in the Idican War gained Ngwochendo a large degree of prestige, which resulted in other areas pledging their support to the Eze of Ngwochendo. The Okimili Confederation was born out of this alliance, and would remain as a challenger to Auressian domination throughout the colonial period. However, this belligerent stance would gradually give way to one of untrusting tolerance, as Okimili opened itself up to trade with the outside world and also sought to increase its own foreign influence. While technologically never at the forefront of developments, some domestic industry was initiated in some areas of the confederation. During the great wars, Okimili did some stuff which remains to be sorted, emerging as an influential nation in the Great Stalemate and one of the Auressian bloc's significant challengers. This rivalry has continued to the modern day, with Okimili acting as a foil to what it sees as neo-colonial interests both in Idica and the world. Okimili is widely seen to be an authoritarian state, as while democratic systems are widely practiced especially on the local level, they are often dominated by customary respect for elders. The confederation is also theocratic in nature, being headed by the Eze of Ngwochendo and with all levels of government and law influenced by the Enyi society, an initiatory society which is dominant in the religious sphere and has been accused of acting as both a secret police and public morality department in its enforcement of customary laws and values.
In the modern period Okimili is widely regarded as a developing nation, but being one which has attained a certain degree of prosperity. The wealth of Okimili is not equally shared across the confederation, and while some of the city-states of the confederation are very wealthy, other polities within it are very poor. Significant industries include tourism, heavy and light industry, as well as agriculture and mining. 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.