Ilhuiyoco
| Ilhuiyoco | |
| Flag | Coat of arms |
|---|---|
| File:Missingflag.png | 
|
| Motto: none | |
| Anthem: none | |
| Locator map | |
| File:Anaria-small.png | |
| Capital city | sample_city |
| Largest city | |
| Official language | Mahuiztla |
| Other languages | |
| Ethnic group | |
| Religion | |
| Demonym(s) | Ilhuiyocan |
| Government | |
| Government Type | Confederate Absolute Monarchy |
| Honoured Speaker | |
| Chief Oracle | |
| Legislature | |
| Establishment | |
| Area | |
| Population | |
| Economy | |
| Economy type | Market economy |
| Other information | |
| Time zone | TBC |
| Driving side | left |
| Calling code | none |
Ilhuiyoco was the most prominent name of a longstanding civilization in the southwest of Altaia, prior to colonization efforts from Anaria. It was predominantly known for its Great Houses (mecayoh, singular mecayotl), its honouring of ancestral spirits, and its considerable technological advancement—at least, compared to much of the rest of the world, if not to Anaria. Remains of Ilhuiyocan culture, in the forms of architecture, traditions, and local languages, persist to this day across the south of Altaia, and in the writing system of Chaska.
Etymology
Ilhuiyoco is a Mahuiztla word with the approximate meaning of "where the day is".
History
Prehistory
The Pan-Altaians arrived on the continent of Altaia relatively late in the historical record, perhaps a mere 27,000 years before the present day. Still, they spread quite quickly over the continent, and by around 20,000 years before the present day they had passed all the way to the southwest. It would be some time—another 4,000 years or so—before they would begin the next crossing, through into D'Runia.
Maize was domesticated, ironically enough, shortly after the crossing, around 12,000 years before the present day. This would become the staple crop for many in Altaia and elsewhere, including the predecessors to the Iztomal people.
Archaic Era (Before 1200 RH)
Permanent villages became established during this time, as did pottery and loom-weaving. Agriculture in the form of the "three sisters"—maize, beans, and squash—became more common across the continent as a whole.
Culture
The Great Houses
The Great Houses—mecayoh in Mahuiztla, singular mecayotl—formed the basis not only of societal structure but also of government.
Labour of the Lord
Key to understanding Ilhuiyocan culture is the consistent belief in what was called tecuhtequitl, or the "labour of the lord". A ruler was bound to two separate but instinctive duties. He was to treat all Great Houses as his own—and he was to ensure the sovereignty and security of his own House. For many tecuhpiltin or emperors, this meant cultivating a persona of absolute power, despite this being tempered by a large and rather effective bureaucracy.
Remembrance
Achtonilnamicocatzin, the "noble remembrance of ancestors", formed the basis for the primary religion of Ilhuiyoco. The world being full of malevolent and mercurial spirits–the moon, for a start–it was considered essential that one maintain a strong connection with one's departed ancestors, who could counteract the other spirits and grant good fortune to their descendants.