Ma Moku

Akuan Republic of Ma Moku Kulupu Jan Aku Ma Moku
Flag
Motto: Jan mi li anpa e ike ali Our people conquer all evil
Anthem: Jan mi li anpa e ike ali (Our people conquer all evil)
Capital	Tomo Aku
Largest city	Tomo Iwar
Official languages	Toki Pona (Official), Nys'tat'en (Religious)
Ethnic groups	By species: 60% Elves 37% Kemonomimi 3% Kelf
Religion	Akuanism
Demonym(s)	Ma Moku
Government	Akuan Democratic Republic
• Shrinekeeper/Jan Awen Nasin	Malikawet Ni’Piletesen
• Prime Minister/Jan Lawa Kulupu	Pijowinal Ni'Jansen
Legislature	Tomo Kulupu
• Upper house	Kulupu Lili Ala
• Lower house	Kulupu Jan
Establishment	1642
Population
• Estimate	6,210,000
• Census	2023
GDP (nominal)	estimate
• Total	♅65,000,000,000 ¥6,500,000,000,000
• Per capita	♅10,466 ¥1,046,600
Currency	Red Krone
Calling code	+750
ISO 3166 code	MAM
Internet TLD	.mam

Ma Moku, officially the Akuan Republic of Ma Moku (Toki Pona: Kulupu Jan Aku Ma Moku) is a country on northern Arcturia. It shares a border Alksearia and Phoenixia. Ma Kou covers an area of [number] square kilometter and has a population of 6.21 million, of whom a 1 million live within the largest city of Tomo Iwar and 216,000 live in the capital itself. Majority of the country's population locating in rural villages and towns, dotting across the country.

The land of Ma Moku was settled by hunter-gatherers by Kaohlat elves estimated by anthropologists to come from Banteay and Wed Shams though the arrival is heavily debated due to any number of factors. What is known based on prehistoric artifacts, was the early Ma Moku held high reverence for the environment and the abundance of the jungles. The early tribes settled the region, and became one of the first to start farming in the area, developing agriculture before their other Kaohlat counterparts. The agricultural revolution led the way feudalistic society and by the 12th century city-states as well small kingdoms. The small kingdoms developed, for the time advance farming communities. The introduction of Akuan merchants and later settlements in 12th century led to a warm relations led to cultural and religious syncretism. In the 15th century the small kingdoms of Ma Moku unified Jan Suli (Toki Pona: King) Iwar Mama-li-Matijas of the kingdom Ma Telo Suli en Kasi Pimeja (Codexian: The Land of Big Lake and Dark Beasts) notably, without war or direct violence. The events of the 16th century led the way to establishing Ma Moku as a Akuan Democratic Republic, and for most of history tried to act as a neutral actor in the world in a attempt preserve minimalistic way of life.

In the modern day, Ma Moku is still a Akuan Democracy with the Jan Awen Nasin (Codexian: Shrinekeeper) acting as ceremonial and the Jan Lawa Kulupu (Prime Minister) as the head of state. Known for its minimalistic way of life, untouched wilderness and high ratings in democracy, peace, perception of corruption and income equality. It is a member of the Red Crown Economic Union and adopted the Red Krone in mid-2023, after a currency crisis threaten to wreck the economy of Ma Moku. Including concerns of aggression from their neighbors, concerns of neo-imperialism by transnational corporations, and cultural globalization erasing their own identity. Another factor in the country opening up, before joining of the RCEU was the shift in modern politics pushing towards urbanization, industrialization and becoming active member of the international community.

History

Pre-Akuan Settlements

The first anthropologic evidence of sapient life in Ma Moku is estimated to be around 4,500 B.C. the Kaohlat elves travelled into the region as hunters and gathers. According to Ma Moku tradition, the original settlers of the land was enchanted by the land in particularly the Telo O Tepne, a massive crater lake in the heart of the country. They dubbed the land as 'Ma Moku' or the 'Land of Food' and began to develop agriculture before their Banteay and Shamsiam counterparts. The agricultural revolution made way to a more feudalistic society, small kingdoms and city-states developed through the region. The largest of the kingdoms being Ma Telo Suli, located around the Telo O Tepne and the capital being Tomo Aku. The rich soil around the lake and the flood plains of the nearby three rivers led to growth of the kingdom over its rivals.

The region was, despite a few skirmishes was completely peaceful for most of history until the Era of Unification. The low population of the region, marriages between noble families and early establishment of minimalist way of life led to little reasons for conflict. Pre-Akuanization of Ma Moku, religion of Ma Moku was heavily debated between noble families about the nature the divinity and powers above the ones, due to the long-lived nature of elves talks of such things stretched out over centuries. Arguments being inherited from parents and region they grew up from. While debates of the religious nature could be heated, they never reached to a point of violence. Being more of a 'polite' religious schism, where outside of the arguments. The families of the nobility wouldn't contact each other aside of securing alliances.

Ma Moku at this time, while religious and ethnically similar was greatly divided primary due to the large distance between city-states and kingdoms. While river boats and travel by the river was possible, it was extremely difficult pre-Akuanization of the country due to the rough waters and territorial hippos. While Ma Moku is rich in rivers, the waters was considerably difficult to travel though due to rapid flooding and sudden droughts. It wasn't until Akuan merchants arrived when later in the centuries bring forth new river transportation technology the lands of Ma Moku could have reliable transport across the in-land rivers. Coasts of Ma Moku in comparison to the rivers, was calm and reliable.

Akuan Settlements

Akuan merchants have historically been active in the region for several centuries before Akuanization of Ma Moku, however the land was not wasn't seen as a valued stopping port until new ship building techniques resulted in the need for hard jungle wood. Alkuan was seen more as the preferred merchant stop for its intersection of the canals and access to greater wide of materials. The first proper settlements primary was along the coast regions being fishing villages and clam harvesters pre-feudalism.

Pearls traced back to Ma Moku

Primary ethnic group of the Akuan settlers was made up of Nya'Kin from the islands of Borea, and freely shared shallow-shores shipbuilding techniques with the pre-Akuanization Ma Moku peoples. It wasn't until feudalistic era, where settlers arrived in greater number to the region and expanding out the port settlements. Due to the low population and low coercive nature of the kingdoms, as well Akuanists pacifistic nature resulted in agreements between the settlers and native Ma Moku peoples.

The superior Akuan ship technology and techniques resulted in early domination economy over the Ma Moku, but the most significant import brought by the Akuan settlers was Akuanism. Akuanism rapidly overtook the decentralized spiritualism. Adopting the native Ma Moku faith into the fold of Akuanism and the more organized philosophy provided a new means of centralizing authority in the kingdoms. The new technology in shipping providing easier access across river pathways and superior trading routes.

Early

Pre-Feudalism, early Akuan settlements doted along the coast but never was never seriously considered to be a stopping point for Akuan merchants due to the preference for Alkuan. Aside from fishing and clam harvesting, pearls collection became a notable early trade commodity. Resulting Akuan merchants, while not making Ma Moku a primary trading hub gave reason for the merchants to stop by the villages for trade. Meaning despite not being a frequent visiting hub, the early settlements was still in contact with the rest of the Akuan world. Furthering the early lead on technological and economic development of the Akuanists in Ma Moku. The pearls from Ma Moku while not being renowned as other pearl exporters from the era regardless, several pearl have been dated to originate from Ma Moku have been found across the world.

The early pearl trade primary went towards Alkuan and in return, the early settlements kept up to date on technology and equipment. The equipment primary being river boats, able to go further into the interior of the region and resulted in further trading.

The Century of Tlope

The Century of Tlope (Codexian: Trouble)

The Tesoni To

Tesoni To (Codexian: Treasonous Two)

Geography

Telo O Tepne Panorama; captured by Red Dove Media reporter Renaud Boisselot in 2013

The geography of Ma Moku filled with lush jungles and dozens of waterways. The largest lake, Telo O Tepne (Codexian: Lake of Deepness) is one of the deepest lakes in the world, being measured to be 592 meters but depths have not been fully explored. The climate of Ma Moku is primary tropical wet and tropical rainforest. The landscape of Ma Moku heavily features large untouched jungle forests and the coasts being used as farmland for its fertile soil. There are three main rivers that flow through the country [river 1], [river 2] and [river 3] all of which link to Telo O Tepne. The highest point of the country, Dli Pi (Codexian: Dry Fish) who peak reaches 438 meters and located in the Flelmama Ro Colekin (Codexian: Freyrmama's Rock Collection) hill range. There are twelve national parks and two animal reserves in the country, most being withn the wetlands with the other parks being located in the Flelmama Ro Colekin and the Telo O Tepne.

Government and Politics

Ma Moku is a Akuan Democracy republic, with Jan Awen Nasin (Codexian: Shrinekeeper) acting as figurehead head of state and the Jan Lawa Kulupu (Codexian: Prime Minister) as head of government. Jan Awen Nasin is a life-long position and primary acts as a spiritual guide for the nation. The Jan Lawa Kulupu services a five year term, but there is no limit for many terms they can serve. Ma Moku is a unitary state, and the Executive Power is exercised by the Jan Lawa Kulupu and their cabinet of fifteen ministers.

The legislative power is constituted by Tomo Kulupu, composed of two chambers: the Kulupu Jan (Codexian: Chambers of the Elect) and the Kulupu Lili Ala (Codexian: Council of Elders and Brewmasters). Kulupu Jan contains 150 Lepesenasiwe (Codexian: Representatives) elected for a five year terms and the Kulupu Lili Ala contains 90 Seni Blemate (Codexian: Senior Brewmaster), who are elected by brewmasters which are elected by the community they service.

The judicial arm is exercised by the Co O Fina Dekisin (Codexian: Court of Final Decisions), are approved by the Tomo Kulupu and selected by the Kulupu Jan. It is tradition that the Kulupu Jan are the primary interviewers for legal and political manners while the Kulupu Lili Ala are expected to ask more personal and religious questions of the prospective judges to insure moral upstandingness of the judges. However Kulupu Jan have the final say of approving new judges, and doesn't require approval from the Kulupu Lili Ala to assign a new judge to the Co O Fina Dekisin, but it has not ever been used in practice.

The Ma Moku constitution is the oldest, still serving Akuan Democracy constitution in the world and one of the oldest constitutions outright, having never been suspended in its long history. The constitution was lasted updated in 1979. The Constitution allows citizens to repeal or change amendments by popular initiative, which culminates in a nationwide referendum. Though originally the constitution was designed to only allow Brewmasters to change or amend the constitution during 1830s to have be done by the citizenry. The new method of amendment has been used 151 over the years, having slowed down after 1950.

For most of modern Ma Moku history, the Kulupu Aku has been in government maintaining the neutrally and avoiding lingering ties with the world. The 1950s-1960s resulted in a upheaval, broke up the party into three parts but formed a coalition together the Kulupu Pona. Kulupu Pona (Codexian: Group for Harmony) has always virtually been in government but true to Akuan Democracy form, often works with the opposition and minority voices to form a consensus on issues despite having a majority in government.

Military and Law Enforcement

The Ma Moku de jure military is a humble militia force, but the de facto standing military is its Ma Kasi Waso (Codexian: Jungle Birds) a specialized emergency service response force. The Ma Kasi Waso, in addition to its service unofficial role in acting as a standing army, operates as an emergency services for rural areas providing law enforcement, conservation specialists, emergency medical treatments and fire fighting services. The Ma Kasi Waso grew scope throughout the 40s, as a result to combat animal poachers and illegal harvesting operations entering the country. However due to the financing and budgetary issues, the Ma Kasi Waso efforts was lack luster. Later in the 1950s, Ma Kasi Waso received funding, equipment and training by the Federation enabling the Ma Kasi Waso to fully act within their broad role.

Law Enforcement outside the specialized Ma Kasi Waso, is headed by the National Peacekeeping Force of Ma Moku, a national and institutional police force of the Akuan Republic of Ma Moku, founded on June 6, 1830 as a replacement of the voluntarily guard. The stated mission of the NPFMM is to protect the exercise of rights and freedoms, guarantee order, internal security, ensure compliance with the laws, assist and protect the peoples of Ma Moku, prevention of illegal actions and ensure security across the country.

Ma Kasi Waso

Ma Kasi Waso fire helicopter in the field

Ma Kasi Waso acts in three roles of emergency services, military, and preservation of the wilderness. To join the Ma Kasi Waso, one has to go through three years of training and then an additional year of training specialization in to a circle. Full members of Ma Kasi Waso, are called Jan li Awen e Eewi (Codexian: They who defend by sky) while though who are recruits are called o Sike (Codexian: Egg). All Ma Kasi Waso, are trained in wilderness preservation, emergency services such as first-aid or fire fighting, law enforcement and special force training provided by the Federation. There are three circles, though the newest circle is the newest addition added in the 80s. Each circle focus one a given role, first two circles being for emergency services and preservation of wilderness. The raise of poaching in the 80s resulted in an additional circle being created, for military purposes to counter the usually heavily armed poachers and illegal harvesting operations.

The Ma Kasi Waso works closely with the Federation special forces for training and equipment, resulting from the warm relations starting in the 1950s. Ma Kasi Waso development with the Federation over the decades has resulted in a closeness in-counter poaching operations and combating illegal harvesting operations to a high level of degree. Ma Kasi Waso making use of the Federation advance intelligence gathering equipment such as drones, aircraft and satellite imagery both for preservation projects as well counter poaching operations. Taking use of IR tracking chips for endangered animals, drones for monitoring movements of wildlife and forests provided by the Federation military and civil assistance aid.

Man-Catcher and Shield

National Peacekeeping Force

Kulupu utala pi utala ala pi ma Moku li utala e ma ale (Codexian: National Peacekeeping Force of Ma Moku) was created as a replacement to the previously ineffective Voluntarily Guard acting as the police force in June 6, 1830. Toki pi Utala ala (Codexian: Peacekeeper) join from across the country, for a plethora of reasons but the reason most commonly given is the wanting to service their local community. The National Peacekeeping Force equipment is primary receives equipment donated or given by the Federation stockpile. The Tomo Aku hosts the police academy where attends are trained for a year, where attends are educated in law, de-escalation and basic first aid. Peacekeeping force make use of man-catchers for emergency situations rather than firearms, like most Akuan District and nations. Making extensive use of the Akuan martial art of Fredeligksjer to restrain and control individuals without harming them or severely injuring them. Peacekeepers maintain prisons and acts as a prison guards.

The National Peacekeeping Force are frequently used for wildfires, alongside the Ma Kasi Waso and militia force. Often conducting the evacuations for villages and towns in the affective areas. Peacekeepers are used to bolster the Ma Kasi Waso circles during state visits from foreign nations, for the Jan Lawa Kulupu and the Jan Awen Nasin personal escorts. Peacekeepers are more often than not, used for escorting high ranking officials rather than the more specialized Ma Kasi Waso and peacekeepers assigned to escort duty receive extra training and pay for their efforts.

The National Peacekeeping Force works alongside community and neighborhood watch volunteers, hawking back to the days of the Voluntarily Guard. As more often than not, rural areas are underserved by the peacekeepers and heavily depend on residents of villages to inform them of crimes. To better assist the rural communities of Ma Moku, radio antennas are established across the country although due to weather conditions, difficulty of reaching them for maintenance and budgetary limitations only 37% of the rural parts of the country have access to radio service at all times. Resulting in the National Peacekeeping Force to still heavily depend on routine patrols to the villages for investigations and crime reporting.

Economy

Ma Moku economy is driven by agricultural and a small but growing industrial base in Tomo Iwar. Majority of the population employment is employed through subsistence farming and large parts of the population is still rural. Ma Moku heavily depends on waterways from transportation of goods, though the railway development scheme plans on linking several towns and administrative centers.

Agriculture

Invasive Animals

The Akuan settlers brought with them two species from Borea, the domesticated Fox and the semi-infamous, domesticated Flyvendesintvenn or more commonly referred to as the Borean domesticated mosquito-wasp. In Topki Pona they're called Utala pipi pna or short handed down to Pipipna. Pipipna play a critical role in rural villages and in ranching, as Pipipna acts as a pest exterminator and to keep away predatory animals. Pipipna being a domesticated animal, is completely depended on sapients for survival as it can not build hives independently and requires sapients to create special incubators for the eggs to hatch. Nevertheless, the Pipipna is known for its increditable amount of aggression, producing both venom and poison but never targeting other domesticated animals such as the domesticated fox, sheep and alpacas nor other sapients unless coated with the specific scent. Despite their general mild mannered towards livestock and themselves, there are several remedies, perfumes and lotion used to mask animals to insure they wouldn't be targeted. The Pipipna being even considered to be more relaxed than their Borean counterparts, as cases of Pipipna strings are usually quite low if at all and never in swarms.

The Pipipna introduction and spread across Ma Moku has greatly impacted diseases spread by native insect species and reduce the need for pesticides. As well act as a first layer of defence against predatory animals in rural communities as the native predators often flees apou hearing a Pipipna swarm and locust swarms are greatly diminished by the sure aggressive of Pipipna. Ranchers and villagers make use of slings or throw by hand to use breakable small clay pots towards or on predatory animals approaching them or their livestock that are filled with 'o weka e telo' (Codexian: Go away juice) which smell it potent enough it enrages the swarm to attack the predator. Typically only older adults use such clay pots, in most cases ranchers use a cart to haul the Pipipna hive around during grazing. In villages themselves, they place the hive itself either in the center of the village.

Culture

Ma Moku culture is strongly influenced by Akuan culture, in particular the Nya'Kin ethnic from the Ny'Akøy ethnic group and as it the standard case, heavily mixed with the pre-Akuan Ma Moku culture. Modern Ma Moku culture is minimalistic and community driven, with a heavy focus on communal activities. The traditions of a Akuan wears, such as kimonos have been modified to reflect the minimalist designs of the Ma Moku people. Rather than having special wear for holidays, such as the Children's Day or two weeks of Remembrance they wear outfits they commonly use year-round and but wear jan Okajoli tied around their waist marked by colors depending on the holiday.

Ma Moku Akuanism

Ma Moku Akuanism form is deeply interwin with pre-Akuan Ma Moku while also still showing signs of Nya'Kin influences creating a syncretism form of Akuanism is a typical of Akuanism. Despite the Nya'Kin influences, Ma Moku Akuanism features more of a State Akuanism, which overlaps with the shrine form of Akuanism heavily but is still quite different from it. Ma Moku State Akuanism, heavily features ancestors of the former royalty and important historical features which is traditionally a folk Akuanism form to mythologize key figures but still heavily features the Vodkaniate spirits such as Aku and pre-Akuan Ma Moku deities. Which is more inline with state and shrine Akuanism, where the focus on more of the deities rather than hyper focusing on a specific ancestor. While ancestral worship is across all forms of Akuanism, the focus on a specific hero/heroine spirit is traditionally reserved for folk Akuanism. This resulting in a strange form of Akuanism in which certain ancestors are mythologized into spirits on the same level of Vodkaniate spirits as Akua or Sakami.

Despite the strange form of Akuanism, Ma Moku still uses Nys'tat'en to tell and read the stories. Brewmasters still play important role within the form, despite the influences of folk Akuanism. Brewmasters still act as community leaders and guides for life, being elected for life and typically the most senior person in community that has spent their life assisting others and being knowledgeable of the faith within the region and country as a whole. Brewmasters are typically elected as village leaders, though that is not the case in larger populations but do serve as a adviser for mayors. Assistants to the brewmasters, often children or unwedded young adults are called meli pi tomo sewi and assist with performing rituals, setting up holidays and festivals as well studying Akuanism under the tutelage of the brewmaster. Brewmasters within Ma Moku act as arbitrators for non-criminal manners, such as personal despites and fights as is typical in Akuanism. In addition the the role of arbitrators, they act as confidant for the community and a organizer for life events, such as birthdays, graduations and marriages.

Given the State Akuanism form, shrines are organized and maintain by the state rather than the local community. Shrines are organized by three types, population, spiritual/historical significance and by spiritual atmosphere. Spiritual atmosphere relating to the awe of a given environment or place, where it is 'undeniable' of spiritual influence of the area. For shrines organized under spiritual atmosphere, the government marks the area that shrine covers as a national parks. Shrines of spiritual/historical significance and population often have a large overlap with each other, but maintains a separate budget for funding and different laws. There is no official ranking given by the government but the Association of the Servants of Akua repeatedly rates status of shrines as B- to B+ despite the budgetary constraints. This is primary due from aid from the Akuan Development Bank and the Bjørn Trust directly assisting funding of maintain of the shrines.

Visual Arts

Ma Moku wooden sculpture inspired by the arrowhead; given as a gift to the Federation in 2008.

Paintings and other forms of visual art are traditionally designed around a single flowing color on a white background, making use of different shades of the color to amplify the art. It is tradition within Ma Moku art scenic to paint only with a single, but long brush stroke with the first color and then using smaller brush strokes to use different shades of the color. Sculpturing is virtually always done with wood, in particularly untreated wood so the sculptor will eventually decomposed into nothingness. It is a form of art to use written description or memories of the sculpture that has decomposed or otherwise destroyed and remake it with the artist own interpretation resulting in increasing complex wooden sculptures. Example being the famous 'arrowhead' sculpture has been reimagined for centuries to the point of it being unrecognizable.

The film industry of Ma Moku was virtually non-existent for most of its history until the country joined the Red Crown Economic Union, using funding from Committee for Art, Media and Culture and taking advantage of the preexisting Côtois film industry to produce films in the Toki Pona. TV studios and broadcasting being primary funded by the Akuan Development Bank, Bjørn Trust and the RCEU Committee AMC. Though only 5% of Ma Moku homeowners polled reported having a TV at their home as majority of the country still frequently uses radio broadcasting or newspapers.

Music

Music of Ma Moku has kept it's traditional musical styles and instruments, although there is a raising popularity in folk and country music within the country. Akuan roots of Ma Moku show deeply with the musi kalama uta pi pilin utala pi pilin pona (Codexian: Joyful Clapping Dance) where groups of people, organized in a roughly in a flowing circle and the musicians are in the center of the circle. Then the dancers are then to face across the circle give a clap to them, followed by a shouting "Aiai!" and then turn to their left to give a hug. Followed by single clap then which they give a kick towards the center, spin around and twist to face their right side and walk forward while swaying their arms then clapping. Every fifth clap, every other person forms a new circle within the larger one. Performing the same dance, at the fifth clap they re-entered main circle in which they have new partners to either side. The cycle is repeated three times, after they give a half-body bow towards the musicians playing, raising their hands above their hand to give another clap and yell "Aiai!"

Instruments include pre-Akuan Ma Moku instruments and Akuan instruments. In more recent times, the banjo and the guitar has been introduced in mainstream music. Music is common feature at Ma Moku gathering, often at the end of the work week where the community gather around a public area or building that has large amounts of space. Radios usage are common along the more developed parts of the country and virtually in all Ma Moku homes in Tomo Iwar and Tomo Aku. Though as previously stated, rural areas of the country only have 37% consistent service to radio stations but 60% of the rural country has at least four hours of radio service and 4% of the country doesn't have radio service at all.

Food

Ma Moku national cuisine ijo suli, a dish made up of leftover meals throughout the week placed into a large pot boiling stew served alongside with rice. Other dishes in Ma Moku, tend to follow a similar sort of pattern with soybeans and rice served as a side. Normally, Ma Moku dishes are considerably smaller in comparison to others in the region famously being rather strictly minimalistic in design. Dishes are served in a single plan, usually, with rice and soybeans circling around the main dish that tends to be a form of curry. While being minimalist in design, the dish includes spices such as banana peppers and onion slices mushed into the curry, to add flavor into the dish.

Sport

Football is the most popular sport in Ma Moku. While the national Ma Moku has not ever won a international championship, Ma Moku exports over a hundred football players per year to other nations football teams internationally. Though laws and Ma Moku national football league policies have been attempting enacted policies to retain players in the country. Other popular sports are basketball and baseball, all three sports listed being non-native sports, imported from international community.