Tanah Ek

Tanah Ek
たなふ えく

File:Tanahek map.png
Country	Sokoku
Capital	Kota Ek
Area	174,010 km2
Population	21M
Density	121/km2
Demonym	Wargan
Time zone	UTC-9
GDP	₲
GDP per capita	₲

Tanah Ek (たなふ えく in Bahasa Sokoku) is a member state of Sokoku, located mainly on the island with the same name off the south coast of Altaia. It was formed in 76XX when the Auresian colony was declared decolonised and a part of Sokoku. It is the second most populous state and second largest in area within the federation.

Etymology

Tanah Ek comes from Tanah Eka meaning "one island" or "single land". It refers to a concept from per-colonial times, where many local rulers, nobility and royalty tried to unite the several territories under the island under a single rule. When Tanah Ek became a single territorial unit under Auresian flag, the name disappeared for over a century, only to re-appear as an outing of the desire to re-establish native rule over the area. So the liberation movement made sure the term "Tanah Ek" was present in the treaty that created home rule, as well as the later treaty that arranged for independence.

A resident of Tanah Ek is usually referred to as a Warga or Wargan. This name came from a pre-colonial civilisation that almost encompassed the entire island. the word became synonym for "resident" or "citizen" in the local language. The word warga became fashionable as a regional identifier during the Pan-Anarian War.

History

Pre-colonisation

Prehistoric era

37 sovereignties around 6600

Rise of the Tsuki Integrality

Establishment of colonial rule

After the Julian Event, Tanah Ek recovered rather quickly since only half of the coastline was severely affected. The vacuum left behind by the Tsuki Integrality was filled by the 17 remaining sovereignties on the island. Especially on the devastated coasts, the benar-benar's invited Anarian traders and settlers in order to re-establish a local economy through foreign trade. Colonising nations gaining a foothold here in the 72nd century included Aedeland, Auresia, Atregonia, Casella, Giondo, Hagen, Halland, Helreich and Livaria.

Of the around 25 Anarian colonial settlements, the Auresian dedicated port of Nova Rhegium became most successful, while attempts by other nations failed as quickly as within one decade. As a result, Auresia was allowed to take over governance over these colonial settlements by the local beran-beran. This happened by negotiation, acquisition but also by military intervention in some cases. By 73XX there were only Auresian settlements left on Tanah Ek. Auresia started to intensify its control over the island in a process where the 17 sovereignties became subject to the Auresian empire, including the beran-beran becoming local nobility that kept in power thanks to Auresian colonial military support. Step by step, the authority of the beran-beran was hollowed out and mandates handed over to Auresian and Wargan governors loyal to the Auresian appointed viceroy. Auresias efforts moved from trade colonialism to exploitation colonialism during this process, aimed at gaining control over the means of production as well as local produce for export to Auresia.

Decolonisation process

From 73XX to 7554 the island was a full colony of Auresia under the name Nova Rhegium, after the colonial capital. But during the Pan-Anarian War, Nova Rhegium operated largely as a fully independent territory. Much of the Auresian (military) leadership was moved towards the wr effort, but nevertheless the loyal local leadership kept Nova Rhegium functioning as a part of the empire. As such, the colony contributed much to the Auresian war effort, in raw material, energy sources and military staff. As a reward for this period of loyalty, the end of the Pan-Anarian War came with the promise of home rule for Nova Rhegium. In order to manifest the new status as an autonomous part of the empire, the name was changed to Radhria Modica. Locally this got abbreviated to RM and even Erem.

After the Wolgos Scourge, the colonies of Fisks, Schangtienrand and Bowersland formed Sokoku. This nation actively started supporting independence movements in the remaining colonies of southern Altaia. At first, Radhria Modica was left alone since the native population was as good as in charge of the island. But when Sokoku started interfering in the ongoing independence war in Keadaan Matang, Radhria Modica became a strategic place between the Sokokan territories.

The Sokokan government started negotiating with the Auresian viceroy about further autonomy, even though the vast majority of the local population was not actively seeking full independence. Sokoku started a communication campaign, trying to convince the Wargans of the advantages of inclusion into Sokoku as a more viable option for future development than keeping providing raw material and tropical produce for Auresia. The movement gained foothold among the lowest paid workers and small land owners, creating the need for local government to address the situation.

With the ongoing wars nearby, not only in Keadaan Matang but even on Garis Hati Gelap, the Auresians and local rulers preferred a process that would spare the island from violent episodes. Also, tried to save most of its economic interests through negotiation. On top of that, Auresia was suffering internal territorial challenges which would make a military effort in this reason particularly difficult.

In 76XX Auresia and Sokoku signed the Placard of Abjuration (Allegatio Abiurationis) with Auresia denouncing its claim as governmental authority over the island, with Sokoku taking over these duties under a large amount of requirements. Since Sokoku did not have a policy of nationalising economic sectors or basic industries, there would be a future for Auresian owned companies in a post-colonial set-up. Even Auresian settlers and their descendants were allowed to stay and keep productive agricultural businesses and production facilities, since Sokoku saw this as a way to create economic continuity during and after a transition. A more bizarre requirement was that the newly independent territories, formally still loyalist sovereignties within the colonial framework, first had to offer their thrones to alternative candidates through binding referenda. Auresia was aiming at creating continuity for the loyal noble families that had served them so well for many, many decades. But in 13 of the 17 regions, no beran-beran was elected with the majority being blank votes. In the other four only one beran-beran got a majority and that was the person who had promised to abolish his own title and turn his sovereignty in a republican state region. The other three did not have a majority, but no second round was held.

Sokokan era

In 76XX all the sovereignties became state regions within Tanah Ek.

Culture

On Tanah Ek, a single denomination of Guso is particularly dominant. The congregation of Eris or Erisu (depending on the local language variations) connects directly into the polytheistic Warga religion of Adat Kuno, predating the establishment of Lizehanism from the Altaian mainland by about a millennium. Eris uses a mythological basis around the Goddess of Eris who was banned from the deities realm which according to Wargan mythology was located in the clouds always surrounding Mount Araru, Tanah Ek's highest volcano. According to the Guso mythology, Eris no longer played a significant role anymore now modern science had explained the phenomena she was associated with. She descended from the mountain as an immortal, now providing her divine capacities as a gateway between people and their ancestors. As such, she is the only link between Adat Kuno, Lizehanism and Guso. She is usually depicted with typical Kakuri features and according to the legend still alive, living secluded somewhere in the woods of Mount Araru, waiting to be called back in. Two of the four main performers of Guso Eris are of Auresian descent and sing in their home language. The combination of Auresian and Kakuri used in the performances adds to the mystical aura surrounding the clergy of the congregation.

Even dragons play an important part in lokal mythology, folklore and legends as well. The dragon is holding the state emblem in the coat of arms. The background of dragon legends is most probably the Kotonoh Monitor, which actually is nicknamed the Kotonoh Dragon. While it is highly unlikely that the Kotonoh species was ever extant on Tanah Ek, there are other species of monitors and varanids living on the island. The legends can most probably be traced back to carcasses of the Kotonoh Monitor washing ashore after the Julian Event, since dragon folklore became much more present during the 72nd and 73rd centuries.