Aspasia
| Historical Nation | |
|---|---|
| Colonia Aspasiana Colonia di Aspasia | |
| Flag | Coat of arms |
| File:Aspasia Flag.png | File:Aspasia coa.png |
| Motto: Fidelitas Firmitas est | |
| Anthem: | |
| Locator map | |
| File:Aspasia Map.png | |
| Capital city | Julikannat (Giulicannia) |
| Largest city | Taumakan |
| Official language | Pastanan, Anisoran, Lazeh |
| Other languages | TBA |
| Ethnic group | |
| Religion | Peratolian Orkanan |
| Demonym(s) | Aspasian |
| Government | |
| Government Type | Imperial Colony |
| Emperor | name |
| Viceroy | name |
| Legislature | Senate of Anaria |
| Establishment | |
| Declaration of Independence | 1 January 1800 |
| Area | |
| Total | 535,062 km² km2 |
| Population | |
| Economy | |
| Economy type | Capitalist |
| Currency symbol | Grana (𝓰) |
| Predecessor Nations | |
| TBA | |
| Successor Nations | |
| Sokoku | |
| Other information | |
| Time zone | UCT-9 |
| Driving side | right |
Aspasia (Pastanan: Colonia Aspasiana; Anisoran: Colonia di Aspasia; Lazeh: Nelyasyat) was a dependent colony under the administration of Anisora from 7244 to 7xxx. The colony occupied land on the north and east of Radhrian Island in Altaia and largely coincides with the state of Nelyasyat in Sokoku, which took over administration in 7xxx. The colony was one of the oldest in the Anisoran Empire and remains an important centre of trade. It was famed for producing luxury products such as cocoa, coffee, fragrances, spices and sugar.
Etymology
The name Aspasia is derived from the Anisoran word aspro/aspra, meaning "harsh" or "rough", creating the basic meaning of "harsh land", said to have been used by early Casellan sailors in the region to describe the rocky and dangerous western coast. The earliest recorded use of the word Aspasia was in 7239 in a Casellan merchant's correspondence, establishing early Casellan trading monopolies in cocoa and spices.
The first use of the name Aspasia in an official capacity was in 7261 in a letter from General T. Mario Tamaro, the second governor of Taumakan, to Lord G. Dario Ventura enclosed along with the newest naval charts of "the entire island of Aspasia" (Anisoran: l'intera isola di Aspasia). On 5th November 7265 General Tamaro, upon his return to mainland Anisora, advised the new 'colonial council' to name the entire colony Aspasia, after the island (commonly known as Radhrian Island or Yunko Ma). In 7268 the Admiralty decided to name the collective colonies on the island after the Anisoran name for the island - Aspasia.
History
Pre-colonisation
The island was first settled by humans around 15,000 years ago by peoples migrating south from southern Altaia. The indigenous Hueiwei people belong to the West Austro-Raian ethnic group who are spread across the southern Altaian islands. Favourable agricultural conditions as a result of the rich volcanic soil on the island, as well as mastering wet-field rice cultivation around the early third millenium RH, allowed towns and small kingdoms to flourish and develop on the island by the fourth millenium. Due to its strategic location between the continents of Altaia to the north and D'Runia to the west as well as being the gateway to the southern Shangti Ocean to the south, the island was and continues to be an important centre of trade and cultural exchange and extensive evidence remains of international trade between the Hueiwei and the expansive Altaian empires and D'Runian kingdoms to the west. Trade has remained the most important factor in shaping the region's history.
From the 68th century the powerful naval kingdom of Tepaananan, centred across the modern day regions of Taumakanu and Miamoru, flourished as a result of the extensive trade networks which existed in the region. The kingdom incorporated Lizehanist religious practises of the empires of the South Altaian Plains, a religion focused on the veneration of spirit ancestors in elaborate stone temples. The early 7th millennium saw an expansive religious building project across the island, the ruins and remains of which can still be seen today, most famously the Temple of Huanuco.
In the 71st century the D'Runian kingdom of Quanchua expanded its influence and control over the White Kaartu Sea including much of Western and Northern Radhrian. The Quanchuan domination lasted over a century and eventually declined after numerous invasions by the Azix peoples. The eastern coast came under the influence of the Tsuki Integrality at about the same time. Their trade relations reached further east and north, all the way to present day Kamura. The Julian Event in the early 72nd century ended this trading and military confederation.
By the early 8th millenium Anarian explorers were discovering lands across Altaia. The first regular Anarian contact with the local peoples began in 7167, when Livarian traders became embroiled in fighting between the remnants of the Quanchuan kingdom and the local insular kingdoms. Casellan and Hellish traders followed with the three Anarian power blocks fighting over influence and land in the region.
Establishment of Colonial Rule
By the late 72nd century Casella had established regular trade relations with the local populations. Exotic products from the area such as cocoa, coffee and spices became extremely sought after by the Casellan elite. Due to the extremely competitive Casellan aristocracy, more and more private ventures were sent to the area to secure lucrative trade with the local population.
After a number of decades of relatively successful trade, the local king Pazet, ruler of the territories of what today is the Kaarinpakanu region on the north-west of the island, refused to continue trading with Casella due to a dispute with a Casellan merchant. The Casellans knew the economic and strategic importance of the region, particularly given the recent establishment of the Livarian Principality of Ayatawantin on the south of the island in 7240. The senators voted overwhelmingly to send an expedition to pacify Pazet and establish a Casellan military presence on the island. A large naval force with accompanying land forces landed in December 7243 and quickly pacified the coastal regions and established bases on the north-west coast. The Casellan armies marched further in land, with the navy supporting from the coast, following little imperial intervention. Over the next few years an intricate network of alliances, protectorate client-states and outright pacification of the local communities enabled the Casellans to establish considerable control over the entire northern portion of the island.
In 7244 the first official Casellan colony on the island was established along the north-west coast, the Colony of Kaarinpakanu. The colony operated primarily out of the colonial capital, Giulicannia (Lanzeh: Julikannat), the first Casellan urban centre on the island. With Casellan forces pushing further along the coast and into the interior, the colony was the first in a number established over the next ten years. The newly established northern borders at the far north of the island along the Chalim Strait became the greatest security risk, with Hellish colonists and soldiers establishing settlements in close proximity to the Casellans. A number of border incidents sparked considerable diplomatic tension between the newly established Casellan and Hellish colonial governments in the area.
In 7356 the colonial government was overhauled, with the six semi-autonomous colonies that made up Casellan Radhrian unifying under the single 'Aspasian Colonial Government' (Anisoran: Aspasiane Governo Coloniale), headquartered at Julicannia in Kaarinpakanu. The colonial state system of Aspasia was then established, which divided Aspasia proper into nine mainland states and one special administrative island (Salakan), ruled by the Admiralty.
Matillanu War
For much of the early phase of Casellan colonisation, Casellan control of the island was tenuous outside the coastal strongholds. To maintain control over the island Casella was reliant on existing aristocratic networks of local rulers who co-operated with the Casellan colonial government and ruled their local territories under the protection and leave of the King of Casella, and after 7367, the Emperor of the Anisorans. However, in 7439 Rallan (Prince) Marinatao, a leading member of the native aristocracy and ruler of the Principality of Tikitallan in Matillanu State, rebelled against the Anisoran colonial government and stormed the state capital at Matillan, starting the Matillanu War. His rebellion spread and other local rulers joined his cause. Much of the East coast was under the Prince's control until Anisora sent reinforcements from the Anisoran mainland in 7441. The fresh troops pushed Marinatao back and after a further three years of fighting Prince Marinatao surrendered late 7444.
A number of similar uprisings occurred over the next thirty years, although rarely from Matillanu State, where the local population had suffered the most under the Anisoran suppression of Marinatao. Outbreaks of violence and full blown rebellions were normally restricted to the southern states as well as the mountainous region of Pakalanu, where prolonged guerilla insurgences raged for decades.
Pan-Anarian War
- See also: Pan-Anarian War
Nytalayan Rebellion
Running from February 7545 to September 7546, the Nytalayan Rebellion, also known as the Southern Aspasian Mutiny in Anisora (Pastanan: Australis Aspasiana Seditio; Anisoran: Ammutinamento Aspasiana del sud), was an armed conflict between the Anisoran Colonial Government of Aspasia and a coalition of local Aspasian leaders led by Prince Rulakanea, Rallan of Pakatayu. The conflict was primarily fought in the southern states of Aspasia, where the largest associated principalities are located. The rebellion was named after the first settlement attacked by Prince Rulakanea, Fort Nytalayan.
Prince Rulakanea, Rallan of the large Principality of Pakatayu, took up arms on 22nd February 7545 and attacked the Anisoran militia settlements in Pakatayu State. The rebellion was named after the first settlement attacked, Fort Nytalayan, one of the many still under construction. He then proceeded west up the coast into Bellanu State, where he persuaded his cousin, Tilamani, Rallan of Horapanya, to join his cause. On 1st May 7545 Aspasian colonial forces were ambushed passing through the Killay Valley in northern Siepalanu State. The battle saw a catastrophic Anisoran defeat, with over 6,000 casualties.
Rulakanea eventually laid siege to the city Matillan in July, which fell by early August and was then sacked. Many other important towns in the eastern states of Matillanu and Miamoru were stormed and sacked during this period of Anisoran retreat. Smaller skirmishes and battles were fought over the next year, with Viceroy Balena-Ralaffi only managing to retake Matillan by January 7546. In April 7546 Prince Matarru, Rallan of Micannaru, who had supported the Anisorans from the outset, joined forces with Viceroy Balena-Ralaffi's forces and dealt the decisive blow against Prince Rulakanea's forces at the Battle of Fillewa. With the Prince's main force defeated, he retreated south into the Massinuza Mountains where he was finally killed on 19th September 7546.
After Anisoran forces retook control of the southern states the forces under the command of Viceroy Balena-Ralaffi exacted horrific revenge on the local populations for their support, perceived or real, of the rebellion, with many thousand civilians killed, known as the Kirallayan Massacre. Many hundred soldiers who had defected over to Prince Rulakanea at the beginning of the rebellion, mostly recruited natives in the colonial militia, were also executed for mutiny.
Wolgos Scourge
In the late 7590's Aspasia became the stage of the southernmost war activities during the Wolgos Scourge. The Bind tried to establish footholds in Neusüdentor north of Aspasia, as well as further east near Bowersland and recently independent Shuuen. In a joint effort to drive out Wolgos landing parties, Aspasian and Anisoran troops entered the southern part of Neusüdentor in 7497 after the Häverist forces were cornered and ready to withdraw. However, after the Wolgos were defeated, Aspasia did not leave the area while at the same time the Häverist forces regrouped north of the Chalim Strait. The region of Selitung, as the Aspasian colonial government referred to the area, was claimed by both sides but the Häverists had no military capacity left to regain control over the area. While officially never declared a part of the Aspasian colony, in practical terms the region was administered by Anisoran and Aspasian colonial government until decolonisation in 76XX.
Pakatayan secession
With the death of Sakayana in 76XX, local leaders saw an opportunity to spark Pakatayan secession sentiments again. The princess' successor didn't have as much popular support among the local population, which created a breeding ground for another rebellion. Secession was declared in Siraya in 76XX but was met by a quick military response from Anisoran military. But in the urban landscape of Siraya, the guerilla tactics of the secessionist led to a high rate of casualties among the colonisers. So when the secessionists formulated an ultimatum towards the Anisoran civilian population to leave the city quickly with a guarantee they would not be harmed, a lot of the military put on civilian clothing and left. When waiting for an Anisoran counterattack, attempts were made to built a national government. But soon a conflict erupted between a loyalist group gathering around Prince Ajimat, a distant cousin of Sakayana, and a group striving after a republic. Due to internal problems in Anisora and the Nytalayan Rebellion still in memory, those countermeasures took time. Instead violence erupted between the loyalists and republicans. Where the first had more support on the conservative countryside, the latter had a larger support within the cities and towns. With Anisoran production facilities up for grabs, the republican movement quickly gained momentum, being able to carry out social modernisation which the loyalists could not offer.
The Stolvic Orderist Commonwealth however saw an opportunity to expand its zone of influence and started supplying the republican side. This led to a response from some republicans opposing orderism, reaching out to Sokoku instead for military support. So by the time an Anisoran counter offensive was started in 76XX they also had to face orderist and Sokokan factions. Instead, Anisora took a marginal presence in the periphery of Pakatayu, keeping a nominal claim to the autonomous region but avoiding full scale conflicts. Instead, the three main factions of loyalists, orderists and Mireists entered a full scale civil war, battling for control over the seceded state. The conflict between Sokokan backed forces and orderists spread to Neusüdentor, which had tried to remain a Häverist (instead of orderist) stronghold in a reforming Commonwealth. After the Sokokan military defeated both the marginal Anisoran presence and the orderists, a cease fire was signed with the loyalist faction. It was negotiated into a permanent peace treaty as overseen by International Council of Nations (ICoN) in 76XX. It is estimated that the Pakatayan secession resulted in 18,000 to 36,000 casualties.
As part of the ICoN sanctioned treaty, free elections were held in 76XX. Where the loyalist and moderate groups voted along ethnic and political lines, republican supporters massively supported the Keadaan Matang movement. The following majority Keadaan Matang government first signed a military cooperation treaty with Sokoku and later applied for membership status within that country. This is why Pakatayu entered Sokoku as Keadaan Matang, which also stated a break with its past as a small kingdom and autonomous region within Aspasia.
Final decolonisation
Geography
The colony of Aspasia was located in the northern half of Radhrian Island, also known as Yunko Ma, on the southern tip of Altaia. Throughout most of its existence, the dependency shared the main island with the Livarian Principality of Ayatawantin located along its southern border as well as the Häverist Commonhold of New Südentor to the north, with whom Aspasia shares the maritime border across the Chalim Strait.
The colony's total area was 535,062 km² (332,472 sq mi), of which 531,768 km² land and the remaining 3,294 km² is water. The largest body of water is Lake Painan in Pakalanu while the longest river is the River Daanura (659km/409mi) which flows from the Massinuza Mountains at the centre of the island through Taumakanu State and into the Julian Sea. The Massinuza Mountains are the largest mountain range on Radhrian Island and Munkak Mountain is the highest point on the island, standing at 3,874 m (12,710 ft) above sea level.
The island is located along the edge of the Altaian and D'Runian tectonic plates and as such makes the region the site of numerous volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. The colonial administration surveyed at least 27 active volcanoes, including Mount Taxumana, made famous by its devastating eruption on 30th September 7538 which laid waste to much of the island and surrounding region. Volcanic ash, however, has proved responsible for making the island very agriculturally fertile although the island does suffer from frequent tsunamis as well as earthquakes.
Climate
The region has a tropical climate, with two distinct monsoonal wet and dry seasons. Average annual rainfall in the lowlands varies from 1,690–3,120 millimetres (66.5–122.8 inches), and up to 6,100 millimetres (240 inches) in mountainous regions. The mountainous region of Pakalanu receives the highest rainfall. Humidity is generally high, averaging about 80%. Temperatures vary little throughout the year, with the average daily temperature range in the city of Taumakan at 23–28 °C (71–82 °F).
Colonial government
Aspasia was a dependent imperial colony of the Anisoran Empire and as such fell under the control of the Anisoran emperor directly. However, the governing of the colony is delegated to the Aspasian Colonial Government (Anisoran: Aspasiane Governo Coloniale), which was established 7th February 7356. The colonial government is semi-autonomous although the Anisoran Senate and Tribunate for Colonial Affairs controls Anisoran government appointments to the territory and ultimately controls imperial policy.
The colonial government was ruled by the Viceroy of Aspasia (Pastanan: Prorex Aspasiae; Anisoran: Vicere di Aspasia), appointed by the emperor to represent him/her personally and govern in his/her name. While in office, the Viceroy wielded imperial power as the official extension of the emperor's power. The Viceroy also chaired the so-called 'Dependent Council' (Pastanan: Imperialis Assecla; Anisoran: Il Consiglio dipendente), which acts as the foremost governing council of the colony as well as the upper chamber in the Colonial Senate. The Council was made up of twelve members including prominent Anisoran officials and nobility as well as merchants and local nobility.
The local aristocracy plaedy an important role in the colony's government, with many semi-autonomous territories existing within the colonial borders. These territories, called 'Imperial Associated Territories' (Pastanan: Imperialia Territoria Consociantia; Anisoran: Imperiali Territori Associati), were normally governed by the traditional, or at least Anisoran backed, local nobility. The majority took the form of principalities, ruled by local 'princes' or 'princesses' (the Lazeh term Rallani is used) under the leave of the Anisoran emperor. They governed their respective principalities under the name of the Anisoran emperor in exchange for considerable autonomy.
The Colonial Senate of Aspasia (Pastanan: Colonianus Senatus Aspasiae; Anisoran: Senato Coloniale di Aspasia) made up the official governing body of the colony of Aspasia. It was established on 23rd July 7549 as a direct result of the Nytalayan Rebellion of 7545-46, which had primarily arisen due to lack of local representation. The Senate was made up of a body of 47 members, of which 27 were elected from the States of Aspasia as local representatives, seven appointed by the Dependent Council from the military, excluding the permanent seat for the Special Administrative Island of Salakan, and the remainder by the Dependent Councillors.
Administrative Divisions
The colony of Aspasia was divided into nine constituent states (Pastanan: Civitates; Anisoran: Stati) and one special administrative territory. Each state was governed by an Anisoran governor although there was considerable local autonomy in rural areas. States were divided into smaller territories and distinguishes two main types of administrative forms: Imperial Regions (Pastanan: Imperiales regiones; Anisoran: Regioni Imperiali), governed by Anisoran officials; and Imperial Associated Territories (Pastanan: Imperialia Territoria Consociantia; Anisoran: Imperiali Territori Associati), also sometimes called Associated Principalities, governed by the local Rallan (prince) and somewhat autonomous. Imperial regions made up most of the coastal regions, with many other important urban centres in the interior, while the Associated Territories normally were more rural and occupied much of the interior. The Special Administrative Territory of Salakan was a unique administrative region, technically outside of the Aspasian Colonial Government's control, but within the colony's territory. The small island in the Sea of Marumasa was ruled by the Anisoran Admiralty and was completely under military control.
Military
Aspasia's primary military force was the colonial militia, called the 'Nelyasyatan Guard' (Anisoran: Guardia Nelayasayatana; Pastanan: Praesidium Nelausauatum), and was named after the native Lazeh word for Radhrian Island: Nelyasyat. The force was primarily made up of local recruits from the island, with a sizeable minority of ethnic Anisorans also serving within its ranks. The majority of officers were Anisoran, although there were some native officers. This force was headed by the Viceroy of Aspasia, as by being the emperor's representative, he/she inherited the emperor's control over the land forces in the colony. The militia operated in conjunction with two other main land military forces. The first being the overseas legions of the Imperial Land Force, which operated out of Pah Fortress in Taumakanu State. The second was made up of the many independent armies maintained by the Rallani (princes) of the Associated Principalities of Aspasia. These armies were entirely locally maintained, headed by their respective prince and often act as the police force in the more rural areas where Anisoran control was less entrenched.
Aspasia was also home to the largest Anisoran naval base outside of Anaria, on the island of Salakan. The Special Administrative Territory was controlled by the Anisoran Admiralty and as such the Colonial Government of Aspasia maintained no official control or command over any naval force. The coastal fortress of Taokulun on the island's south-west coast provided Anisora with considerable strategic and military presence in the Sea of Marumasa as well as the Chalim Strait. The Imperial Air Force maintained a presence throughout Aspasia, with significant concentrations of forces at Taokulun Fortress and the city of Malan in Miamoru State.
Economy
The Aspasian economy was rather diverse, reflecting the large variety of natural resources on the island. The largest export of Aspasia was coffee, with extensive plantations in the foothills of the Massinuza Mountains in Pakalanu State which feeds the vast demand for coffee in Anisora. The bean coffea marinatea (also known as 'marinatea coffee' and 'mountain coffee'), native to the island, is still one of the most popular coffee beans on Gotha. The second largest export is made up by the large variety of spices. Aspasia was particularly well known for its black pepper production, as well as lemongrass, curry leaf, tumeric and ginger. Cocoa was also produced in large quantities, Miamoru State being the largest producer of cocoa on the mainland. These economic sectors are still thriving today, decades after colonial rule ended.
Aspasia had a large agricultural sector, due to the islands rich volcanic soil, with the most fertile land being found in the eastern states of Taumakanu and Miamoru. Although much of the island is covered in thick jungle, large swathes of the coastal regions have been converted to fertile arable land which produce many different agricultural products, the largest of which was rice production. Other agricultural products include palm oil, rubber, banana and mango fruits.
Aspasia didn't have much of a manufacturing sector, as the vast majority of raw resources were shipped to Anarian markets, particularly Anisora. Industrialisation and mining however became a more important part of the colonial economy in the early 77th century, when consecutive wars led to huge demands in raw materials and manufacturing capacity. The island did possess some modest coal mines in the Massinuza Mountains, which became depleted in the 7630's. There were even some stone and marble quarries, of which many are still operational today for domestic production. During colonial rule these quarries produced popular marbles, fashionable for architectural adornment in Northern Anaria and made up an important part of Aspasian luxury exports.
Demographics
While the demographic structure of the region has changed during colonial times, the majority ethnic group on the island is Hueiwei, making up about 80% of the population. The largest minority group was made up of ethnic Anisorans and their descendants, growing from 5% in the early 7500's to just over 10% near the end of colonial rule. Azix and Iztomal made up about 5% of the population each. However, an exact distribution was never established since many regions were left completely outside colonial census surveys.
Languages
There were over 70 recorded regional languages in Anisoran Radhrian, with many more spoken in other parts of the mainland as well as the smaller islands. Most languages belong to the Bawanesi language family, although there are some Panotacani-Tlaxc languages spoken, particularity on the west coast, a remnant of historic Quanchuan domination of the area. The largest majority language is Lazeh, spoken by almost 70% of the local population, primarily in the eastern states. The official language of Aspasia was Pastanan, although speakers are limited to the Anisoran noble and educated populations as well as native academics and some nobles. Anisoran is the second most spoken language in Aspasia, with nearly 40% of the population speaking it as primarily a second or even third language. Few communities use Anisoran today, probably 2-4% of the population, often in bilingual areas with a mixed population. Bahaso Sokoku, a language closely related to Lazeh, has become the main language between communities.
There are a large number of regional languages which are often contained within the local area. Much of the rural population, however, retained their regional language as their sole language during colonial times, making communication between rural societies often difficult. Dayatan is also spoken by some in the southern states of Aspasia, although the language is mostly spoken in XX to the south.
Religion
The religions of Aspasia were very diverse and reflect the multiple influences upon the island's history. Tamahuna has been the most popular religion in Aspasia for the last half a millennium as a result of Lizehanist influences over the region beginning in the 67th-68th centuries through the influence of traders. The powerful Tepaananan leaders of northern Aspasia then embraced the religion from the Altaian continent and it quickly became the dominant religion of much of northern Radhrian Island. Tamahuna, however, has been the biggest loser in terms of Anarian religious influence, while native indigenous religions survive in large numbers and have proven harder to convert. During the 76th century, censuses showed that about 60% of the population practised Tamahuna, an offshoot of Altaian Lizehanism, a religion focused on the veneration of spirit ancestors and reincarnation.
Beginning in the 73rd century Orkanan missionaries travelled from Anaria and converted small pockets of the coastal populations to their various denominations. This increased significantly under Anisoran rule, when the Orkanan Church of Pastana sent hundreds of missionaries with the trading fleets and military missions and established Peratolian Orkanan as the predominant Orkanan faith in Aspasia. The second most practised religion in Aspasia therefore was Orkanan, with about 30% Peratolians. The remainder of the population practise native religions, often unique on a village-level, and exhibit significant variety in theology and religious practice.
Culture
More than two hundred local and native cultural groups existed during the colonial era. Because of this diversity, many styles of cultural expression have emerged. Each group has created its own expressive forms in art, dance, weaponry, costumes, singing, music, cuisine, architecture and much more and interact to varying degrees with Anarian cultural influences. The island still exhibits dozens of distinct, individual and fiercely proud cultural groups, each with their own way of life and sense of history. The variation in cultural practices is vast, from the Akalanu people of the northern Massinuza Mountains, to the Quataloran societies of Taumakanu State, who were dwelling in sophisticated urban settlements well before the Anarians arrived.
The distinction between the "urban and rural peoples" was normally used by Anarians to distinguish between people that have been influenced by or assimilated with Anarian cultures, especially Anisoran and the less assimilated populations that maintain a rural lifestyle, often with very little Anarian influence. The highly populated eastern states of Taumakanu, Relatanu and Miamoru were dominated by the Aspasian-Anisoran composite culture, commonly known in Anisora as "Taumakanian" (Anisoran: Taumakaniano). These people tended to live in towns and are educated by conventional Anarian methods and have steadily adopted many Anarian customs including religion, clothing, hairstyles and sport, with tennis and cricket the most popular. After colonial rule ended, some of these cultural outings remained, despite the Anarian population leaving the former colony largely.
The more rural societies with less or no Anarian influence still adhere to traditional ways of life which are dominated by agriculture. Some hunter-gathere cultures, largely untouched by modern civilisation, still persist in a few inland regions. Traditional woodcarving and shadow puppetry are very popular among the local population. Story-telling and oral poetry are perhaps the most important cultural practices, who assimilate it greatly to their sense of cultural identity. The travelling oral poets, known in Lazeh as the Tapawai, are still highly respected in society and are normally showered with gifts by the local community upon their arrival. They travel from village to village and sing of traditional tales and epic cycles8, and play the accompanying gaba string instrument.