The Oan Isles
Serene Realm of the Oan Isles Oan: Te Rohe Rangamarie o nga Motuere Oa | |
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Political map of the Oan Isles | |
Location | Map |
Capital | Tokapa |
Largest city | Tauranga a te Toka |
Recognised national languages | |
Official languages | Oan |
Ethnic groups (2021) |
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Religion |
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Demonym(s) | Oan |
Government | Unitary parliamentary democracy under constitutional monarchy |
Oahoanu | |
• Pirimia | Maui Uye-Ahua |
Legislature | National Assembly |
Council of Chiefs | |
Council of the People | |
Establishment | |
• Unification | August 12, 1000 |
• Constitution | April 23, 1907 |
• Kohatu Annexation | October 20, 2017 |
Area | |
• Total | 103,171 km2 (39,835 sq mi) (13th in UNAC) |
Population | |
• 2021 estimate | 18,625,000 (12th in UNAC) |
• Density | 180.52/km2 (467.5/sq mi) (6th in UNAC) |
GDP (nominal) | 2021 estimate |
• Total | 788,768,750,000 KRB (8th in UNAC) |
• Per capita | 42,350 KRB (4th in UNAC) |
Gini (2018) | 0.350 low |
SDI (2021) | 0.901 very high |
Currency | Kirib (KRB) |
Date format | DD/MM/YYYY |
Mains electricity | ISPT1 |
Driving side | the left |
ISO 3166 code | OAN |
Internet TLD | .oan |
The Serene Realm of the Oan Isles (Oan: Te Rohe Rangamarie a te Motuere Oa; phonetic: /ˈoʊɪn/, also known simply as The Oan Isles) is an independent island nation. It consists of two parts. The Home Islands are surrounded by the Polynesian Sea and the Morstaybishlian Cerenerian Territories (overseas territories of Great Morstaybishlia) to the west, the Cerenerian Ocean to the east, the Morstaybishlian Sea to the south, and Aurora to the south west. The Kohatu Isles are surrounded by the Caven Sea and Peregrinia to the north, East Gemica (a semi autonomous territory of Peregrinia) to the east, Jusdelva (a constituent country of Great Morstaybishlia) to the west, the Morstaybishlian Sea and mainland Aurora to the south. The country has a total land area of 103,171 square kilometres (39835 square miles), of which 88,338 square kilometres (34,107.67 square miles) comprises the Home Islands and 14,833 square kilometres (5,727.05 square miles) comprises the Kohatu Isles. Although the country consists of two parts over 2,000 kilometres apart, their weather and geography is the same because they have similar geographic histories and lie at the same latitude. The Oan Isles is a tropical mountainous volcanic heavily forested island nation (comprising 36 islands), of which only a small portion is suitable for agriculture and human habitation confronted by earthquakes, tsunamis and cyclones.
Ahua the Great established the Oan Isles in 1000 CE (according to the Oan calendar this is the first year of the period AU or After Unification). He converted to Thaerism and declared it the official and only permissible religion of his realm. He spread his realm from the island of Tokamotu, over which he had been King, to surrounding islands and declared himself the Rangitanga-a-te-Moana (Ruler of the Sea). Folk religions were persecuted and their adherents fled to the Strathepolic Islands in the Morstaybishlian Sea and Caven Sea. They gave rise to the Jus and Kohatu people who continue to live there to this day. Ahua the Great's successors continued to expand the territory of the Oan Isles. After the first century AU the country fell into instability as monarchs died quickly upon assuming the throne due to wars and assassinations.
In the 3rd century AU (11 century CE), folk religions experienced a resurgence and intermixed with Thaerism. Priest Pohinga was an early advocate of the mixture of folk religion and Thaerism. His ideas laid the ground work for the role of the folk god Maui in the unification and the elevation of the role of the Rangitanga-a-te-Moana from a political and military ruler to spiritual leader. He was executed but his supporters launched the Civil War against the conservative monarchy in Tokamotu that supported conservative Thaerism. Upon their defeat, Mauism became the official religion, as it remains to this day.
Under Aotearoa the Great, the country established settler colonies in the Strathepolic Islands and integrated them into its territory, vastly expanding the size of the Oan Isles. Civil War led to the loss of the territory and the establishment of smaller Kingdoms that were eventually conquered by the Great Morstaybishlia in 1604. Following the unilateral revocation of a treaty that the Oan Isles believed was unfair by Kipiri II, Great Morstaybishlia invaded the Oan Isles and the country lost a third of its territory in a conflict that is today known as the First Morsto-Oan War. Further, the war kickstarted the Oan Slave Trade. Nevertheless the slave trade excluded citizens of what remained of the Oan Isles. In the 1800s, an illegal trade of free Oan citizens was started through a clandestine agreement between Lord Admiral Lusegart of Morstaybishlia and Chief Toamu of Wakatunuye. Upon discovering the act, the Oan Isles attacked a Morstaybishlian ship triggering the Second Morsto-Oan War. Although the Oan Isles lost another portion of its territory, Oan Slave Trade was abolished in Great Morstaybishlia.
Angry about the handling of the crisis by his father Tamatea II, Rangitake the Great overthrew him and began modernizing the Oan Isles including establishing the first universities and central bank. His son, Mikaere III continued these reforms and began democratizing the Oan Isles. The country still retains an amended form of the Constitution that he passed during his reign. During the Great War, the Oan Isles remained neutral and grew wealthy from weapons exports and financial interlinkage. The country remained neutral in the Auroran Imperial War. The Oan Isles was thrust into international conflict following the assassination of Prince Thadeus, Duke of Horkalo, and the invasion of Yor by the Greater Ethalrian Empire. The Oan Isles joined the Allied forces in the 2017 Auroran-Cerenerian War. Following Auroran Reunification Summit called by President Nimona Poole of Emberwood Coast, the Oan Isles became one of the founding members of the United Nations of the Auroran Continent.
The country is a high-income post-industrial economy administered through free-market socialism that has a nominal GDP of over 785 billion KRB (the 8th largest in the UNAC as of 2021). It is a world leader in information and communication technology (being the seat of Cafe Net and Metatron, some of the largest corporations by market capitalisation in Aurora, among others), and has large banking and tourism sectors. Its capital, Tokapa is the seat of the Auroran Monetary Fund. Its government takes place as a unitary parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy. The House of Ahua is one of the oldest monarchies in the world and presides over a highly democratic government, that ranks highly in metrics of governance, economic and political freedoms among world nations. It has enjoyed enduring political stability and economic stability for decades.
Etymology
The name "The Oan Isles" is "Nga Motuere Oa" in the Oan language. The root of this name is "Oa" which means "Heaven". This name originated around 1000 CE during the time of Ahua the Great. At the time, the Oan Isles consisted of citystates ruled by warlords. In a legend, it is believed that Ahua the Great received a vision from Maui, the folk deity of the wind and sea, to unite all the people who live on the islands which compose the contemporary Oan Isles and Morstaybishlian Cerenerian Territories. Mauists believe that Maui told him to dedicate the islands he conquered to "Heaven" and he instructed Ahua the Great to visit a Staynish missionary who was teaching about Thaerism on an Oan island. He was amazed by the message of Thaerism and converted immediately. Because the Oan language lacked the sounds to say "Thaer" (the Supreme deity of Thaerism), he called this deity "Atea". Maui returned in a vision in the form of a Spix Macaw, put the new faith in context and instructed him to unite the Oan people. In honor of Maui, the country is named after the Oan word for "Heaven" and the Oan people were also renamed after Heaven.
Thus, the demonym (meaning the adjective for people and things originating from the Oan Isles) is Oan (the plural of which is Oans). The formal abbreviation for the country is OAN. But it may be informally abbreviated as TOI. The long form of the country’s name is "The Serene Realm of the Oan Isles" ("Te Rohe Rangamarie o Nga Motuere Oa"). The Serene Realm part is a quote from Maui as he said that "your land and people will be blessed, enjoying eternal tranquility". Thus, when long form names became fashionable, the long form was given as "Serene Realm" and has remained for nearly 1000 years.
History
Pre-history
The Oan Isles was first colonised by human beings 90,000 years ago. These humans migrated from Yasteria to populate Aurora. There are contradicting conclusions drawn by archeologists as to the nature of these humans and how they spread as they did. It is believed that they made simple rafts from branches of trees strewn together with vines and simple rope made from braiding grass. They possessed basic navigation as there is evidence of cave and rock paintings and carvings depicting what scientists believe are star constellations. These primitive people are believed to have mostly worn simple clothes made from animal skins and basic plants such as grasses which they found lying around. They used basic tools such as stone and bone tools to cut things, skin animals and so on. It is believed that they possessed a rudimentary understanding of hygiene as they had toothbrushes made from the fibrous tissue of branches and sticks from the toothbrush tree. These people were almost entirely hunters, gatherers and simple fishermen. They often moved around often to follow the shoals of fish. Fish were their primary food source and they greatly revered fish as fish are featured in their paintings. Based on remains of canoes buried with the bones of some men, it is believed that sailing and fishing were regarded as signs of wealth and virility.
Whakoa civilisation
Between 45,000 and 30,000 years ago, there emerged the Whakoa civilisation. Although it is unknown whether the people of this era had a name for themselves there are some unifying characteristics which people living in this 15,000 year period had in common. They are named after Mount Whakoa on Manaakitangamotu near the city of Anapa. This is because most of the evidence for their civilisation is found around this mountain. Scientists believed that the fertile soil of the mountain (which seismological evidence shows was much more active then than it is today) allowed many calorie-rich plants to grow. This civilisation is the first era of humans in the Oan Isles to develop agriculture. they farmed a variety of plants such as tropical fruits and root plants where a major source of starch. This era also shows the emergence of fixed settlements. There are ruins made of stone that show that small groups of people would live together for most of the year. They were not completely sedentary as there is evidence that they moved when natural disasters struck or when weather changed drastically. These people made tools from simple metals like iron. Because the Oan Isles is hopelessly humid, they rarely lit flames above ground. Instead there are primitive furnaces in caves which have
Unification
By 1000 CE, there were approximately 30 to 40 different polities that in that area that comprises the Oan Isles and the Morstaybishlian Cerenerian Territories. Please refer to the official page on the history of the Oan Isles for maps and more details. One of the largest and most powerful was the Kingdom of Tokamotu which ruled over the island of Tokamotu. The King of the Toka, Manupatea was the father of Ahua the Great. He had continued the work of expanding the Tokamotu military and exerting military and economic dominance over surrounding islands. In 983 CE, Prince Ahua ascended to throne of the Toka as King Ahua.
He continued the work of his father and expanded their sphere of influence. In 987, on his conquest of Koroimotu, he met Thaerist. Believing they were heathens, he persecuted them and purged Thaerism from his realms. In 992 CE, he had a traumatic emotional experience at high seas following a defeat in battle that led to him seeing visions including believing that he a bird telling him to convert to Thaerism and unite the South West Cerenerian Islands (as the Oan Isles and the MCT) were known at that time.
Reluctantly and gradually, he sought out Thaerist teachers, culminating in his conversion in 998 CE. He proclaimed himself the chosen Prophet of the Creator and spiritual successor to Prophet Matilda in the West Cerenerian Islands and began the military conquest of the West Cerenerian Islands. In 1000 CE, he formally declared the establishment of the Oan Isles (despite the work of unification remaining unfinished). He passed away in 1023 and was succeeded by his son, Ahua II who formally established the House of Ahua as the ruling house and sought official recognition from the Thaerists in Great Morstaybishlia.
The introduction of Thaerism and the persecution of traditional folk religions, drove arden adherents to seek a better life elsewhere. Thus, South West Cerenerian Islanders in the territory that eventually fell under rule of Ahua the Great and became part of the Oan Isles began migrating to the uninhabited Strathepole Archipelago straddling the Morstaybishlian and Caven Seas.
Mauist Schism
Although the Thaerist religion and its related structures acquired official recognition, the folk religions of the people there persisted and their practices and beliefs permeated into Thaerism in the Oan Isles. These practices and writings influenced the priestly class and the royal court to the extent that there were conflicts over doctrine and theology. This came to a head in 1245 CE when Priest Pouhinga started preaching that the bird who spoke to Ahua the Great was in fact Maui, the god of the seas and he advocated for various practices that were considered pagan by fundamentalist Thaerists. He was executed in 1258 CE.
His teachings lived on and gained the support of a considerable class of nobles, priests and members of the royal court such that in 1312 CE, an assembly of over 1,000 prominent persons was held on Manaakitangamotu to call for the acceptance of the teachings of Pouhinga as doctrine. This resulted in a civil war between the Mauists and the Thaerists. In 1321, the Mauists won. They forced the Thaerist Rangitanga-a-te-Moana, Ihone II to abdicate in favour of his infant son, Ihone III who would be raised as a Mauist. A Mauist Regent, Prince Repahe, reigned and declared Mauism as the official religion and sought recognition from mainland Thaerists.
There were differing opinions to the extent that two conflicting bulls were issued that remain contested to this day. Traditional Thaerism was persecuted and pushed out in favour of Mauism. The rise of Mauism led to missionaries from the Oan Isles going to the Strathepole Archipelago to proliferate its message. The people in these islands having cultivated unique identities such as the Jùs of Jusdelva and the Kohatuans of the Kohatu Isles and East Gemica) received Mauism enthusiastically because it preserved their folk beliefs and rituals.
War of Succession
In 1437, Rangitanga-a-te-Moana Apauhana V died childless. The Council of State was unable to agree on an heir as there were conflicting and equally convincing claims from different branches of the family. To preempt the decision of the Council of State, an assembly of nobles was called in Maungamotu that declared their support for Prince Iano as the rightful Rangitanga-a-te-Moana. Facing pressure from nobles In Tokamotu, the Council of State declared support for Prince Matu.
This led to a civil war between the supporters of Prince Toroa and the supported of Prince Matu that began in 1432. The war ravaged the nation and led to considerable bloodshed and destruction. The war officially ended in 1440 when Prince Iano conquered Tokamotu and executed Prince Matu and his heirs. Aggrieved by his actions, he experienced severe mental stress such that he instead signed a will stating that his eldest son was to become the Rangitanga-a-te-Moana.
The decision was ratified by the Council of State and his son was crowned Iano III in 1442. The Council of State resolved to established a national library responsible for maintaining precise and accurate records of all royal lineages with copies available in three other parts of the country. This led to the system of public registration where the birth, death, marriage and other important details of all individuals in the realm were stored in Tokamotu and other islands for safe keeping.
Strathepolic Expansion
In 1501, Aotearoa the Great became the Rangitanga-a-te-Moana. He began expanding the territory of the Oan Isles beyond the South West Cerenerian Islands. Under his reign, the Oan Isles formally invaded and started a settler colony on the Strathepole Islands that today make up Jusdelva, the Kohatu Isles and East Gemica. These islands were inhabited intermittently by the Jùs and Kohatuan nations and frequented by bandits and pirates hiding from the law.
In 1503, the first Oan sailors reached the island of Jusdelva and proclaimed that they would be settled by the Oans and become part of the Oan Isles. By 1521, the Oans had spread to East Gemica (part of modern day Peregrinia). They away the pirates and subjugated the native Jùs and Kohatuans people. Because of cultural and historic similarities and ethnic intermixing, the Oan settlers became assimilated into Jùs and Kohatuans culture. Although Peregrinia and the Kingdoms on Aurora were uncomfortable, they recognised Oan rule after signing the Treaty of Manaatu, furthermore they saw Oan rule as helpful in the fight against piracy.
Strathepolic Wars
Aotearoa the Great was succeeded by Rotorua IV. Prince Whakore felt snubbed and wanted more prominence. When Rotorua IV failed to show him the respect he imagined he deserved, he fled to Jusdelva and started an independence movement. His forces started a war in 1578. Although he died in battle in 1579, his generals declared independence. After being defeated at the Battle of Akatepa, the Oan Isles renounced its rule over the islands and retreated to its home territory.
The islands became a free for all where strong men grabbed territory for themselves. The chaos and disorder led to the destruction of the institutions that the Oan government had erected there. The islands became a hive of criminal activity including piracy. With their maritime trade being disrupted by pirates and criminals fleeing from Justice, surrounding nations decided to act. Thus, in 1604, the Kingdom of Morstaybishlia invaded and annexed Jusdelva during the Morsto-Jusdelvic Wars. East Gemica fell to Peregrinia in 1606. Codex took over the Kohatu Isles in 1607.
First Morsto-Oan War
The Oan Isles had become open to immigration from different nations. Thus, immigrants arrived from nations such as Morstaybishlia, Ethalria and Salovia. The Oan Isles was also open to trading with foreign nations and wanted to strengthen ties with them, especially mainland Auroran nations. Thus, under Kipiri I, the Oan Isles signed treaties with Morstaybishlia, Ethalria and Salovian nations in 1673, 1678, and 1682 respectively.
When Kipiri II took over the throne from his father in 1692, he felt that the treaties were too generous to the Ethalrian, Salovians and Morstaybishlians. The Ethalrians and Salovians agreed to renegotiate the treaties and new agreements were signed in 1701 and 1702 respectively. However, the Morstaybishlians were stubborn and refused to give up the lucrative sea shell and whaling trade that they had established. In 1705, Kipiri II unilaterally revoked the treaties. During the third year of the reign of Edrudus V, Morstaybishlia attacked the Oan Isles in retaliation in 1706.
This began the First Morsto-Oan War. The war continued under Queen Rosamund I who took over in 1710. This war lasted until 1717. The Oans eventually defeated and forced to cede the territory that comprises the Southern Antilles (including East Koroimotu), Greater and Lesser Gemini Islands, Asmo Island, the Payleian Islands. Furthermore, native Oans who lived on those islands at the time of Morstaybishlian invasion were declared slaves and their property and lives were auctioned by the Morstaybishlian governors in those islands in the name of the Crown. This defeat was incredibly humiliating to the Oans. Kipiri II abdicated and was succeeded by Pakau I. Pakau I started a rescue and repatriation program whereby enslaved Oans would be purchased from Morstaybishlians and returned to the Oan Isles. Sympathetic Morsts also "donated" their slaves to the Oan crown where they were freed. Nevertheless, the horrific and inhuman trade continued. He was succeeded by his son Pakau II in 1735, who was succeeded by Iano VI in 1768, who was succeeded by Aotearoa VIII in 1789, who was succeeded by Toroa IV in 1823, who was succeeded by Tamatea I in 1843, who was in turn succeeded by Tamatea II in 1847.
Second Morsto-Oan War
Under the terms of the agreement that the Oans and Morsts had signed in 1717, Oans not located on the territory ceded to the Morsts were considered free. Other than some minor mistakes, this treaty was respected. However, starting in the 1800s, the Morsts formed an alliance with the Wakatunuye clan to trade in slaves. This first began by selling convicted criminals to Morst slavers. This practice was ignored by Oan officials in exchanged for bribes. Starting in 1850 during the reign of Tamatea II, it spread to the deliberate kidnapping of free people especially in the northern islands which were farthest away from central government control.
The situation escalated to the point that Chief Toamu of Wakatunuye and the corrupt Lord Admiral Lusegart signed an agreement whereby the Wakatunuye would sell slaves directly to the Morstaybishlian Crown. Then, Lusegart would sell the slaves to companies he controlled at a discount and make a profit when he resold them at market prices. The Oan government suspected that something illegal was happening. They laid a trap and found a slave vessel. Lusegart portrayed it as an Oan attack and denied the accusations. Under Queen Rosamund II, Morstaybishlian government sent ships to defend the Morst territories and the slave trade. This led to war in 1855.
The Oans were defeated, forcing them to cede the islands of the North Antilles, Pasuica, Hayo Island, Yasa and Bach Island and Mazi, Nga Motuere Raki, East Point Island, Noamotu, Maungamotu, Manaakitangamotu, and Nga Motuere Whenua. With the help of sympathetic Morsts namely the Earl of Peal, Tamatea II proved that Lord Lusegart had broken the law and by extension the Morstaybishlian Crown was implicated in breaking the treaty. He was arrested and tried. As part of the Treaty of Nangahena, the Morsts returned Nga Motuere Raki, Noamotu, Nga Motuere Whenua, Maungamotu, and Manaakitangamotu to the Oan Isles. On one hand Queen Rosamund II was embarrassed by the oversight that started the war. On the other, she would be embarrassed to concede territory in war that lasted 14 years. Thus she negotiated with Tamatea II that the Morstaybishlian Crown pay the Oan government 12 million kiribs for the North Antilles, Hayo, Yasa, Bach, East Point and Mazi Islands and abolish the slave trade of Oans throughout the Morstaybishlian Empire. Many in the aristocracy including his son, Prince Rangitake felt that Tamatea II had been too weak in both the war and the negotiations.
Golden Age
Prince Rangitake overthrew his father Tamatea II and was crowned Rangitake I in 1858. He began modernizing the Oan Isles. He first started by consolidating island militias into one armed forces, officially proclaiming the establishment of the Oan Defence Forces in 1865. Furthermore, mercenaries were abolished and integrated into the armed forces. This process also included the construction of modern war vessels, the entrenchement of guns and cannons as primary tools of war and the construction of fortifications and other public infrastructures such as roads and ports.
He established the Bank of the Oan Isles in 1891 to help the Oan Isles raise money following the financial ruin precipitated by the Second Morsto-Oan War, and to rein in the chaotic banking system. The Bank helped to stabilise and modernise the Oan Isles financial system. On 18 March of the same year, he established the University of Tokapa. Building on top of social and economic reforms started earlier in Rangitake's reign, the University helped to modernise Oan education and spread literacy to the wider population. In 1904 he was succeeded by Mikaere III.
Mikaere III continued the reforms of his father and opened the country to foreign technologies, spurring the industrialisation of the Oan Isles. Mikaere III signed the Great Land Reform Decree whereby nobles were forced to sell their estates to tenant farmers at amounts subsidized by the state in return for greater say over the government of the Oan Isles. This led to the Council of Chiefs gaining the power to approve laws. Furthermore, he delegated daily governance to the Head of the Royal Household who was a trained civil servant, Lord Azriel Makemutu.
Great War
Mikaere III's reign saw the start of the Great War. The war was fought between the Cerenerian Coalition headed by Asendavia and the Imperial Powers headed by Great Morstaybishlia and Packilvania. Wary of the imperialistic appetites of these nations as well as the Oan Isles recent history of war, Mikaere III swiftly declared neutrality in the conflict. Riding on the coattails of the financial and political reforms that were introduced under Mikaere III, the Oan financial sector grew wealthy from loaning money to nations that were involved in the war. Furthermore, the Oan Isles sent artisans to train in foreign nations in the craft of arms manufacturing. The Oan Isles began forgone weapons for nations participating in the conflict leading the formation of the Oan Armaments Company by the Government of the Oan Isles (which eventually became the Metatron Corporation).
Toroan War
In the 1960s, an unusual period of low rain arose which resulted in economic hardships for the agriculture, timber and fishing industries of Toroa. The Toroa Communist Party was formed which believed that the government of the Oan Isles was handling the crisis abysmally. The TCP called for the independence of Toroa from the Oan Isles. In 1970, the General Secretary of the Toroa Communist Party, Manu Aketua, was elected as the Governor of Toroa. He dissolved the Toroa Legislative Assembly and called for a referendum to decide on the independence of Toroa from the Oan Isles. The Oan Isles sent military forces to the territory and stormed the capital city of Hipana where Governor Aketua and his government were located. Governor Aketua declared marshal law and fled with other members of the TCP to the west fringes of the country. They waged a brutal guerilla war against Oan forces, smuggling drugs and people to pay for the war. To end the atrocities, the Oan Isles signed a ceasefire in negotiations brokered by major Auroran nations with the TCP in which they promised to temporarily suspend fighting. The TCP declared the Toroa People’s Republic and governed that part of Toroa as a communist dictatorship. The Oan Isles has never rescinded its claim to the area controlled by the TPR and actively uses its diplomatic and economic clout to isolate it. Despite overtures to restore normalcy, only the most crucial aid is given.
Latianburg Insurgency
On April 1, 2017, the Oan Isles requested a purchase of military hardware from Stratarin. In April 2017, a group of terrorists launched an insurgency in Latianburg.[1] Cafe Net , an Oan internet service provider had begun operations in the country. Soldiers from the Oan armed forces were sent to protect the facility. Unfortunately, in spite of their best efforts, Niana Takatunuye (the head of the branch and the sister of the CEO of Cafe Net) was captured by a terrorist called Muttar Mimahid.
On 23 April she was rescued from the Al Jaheed. Furnifoldian soldiers managed to find the Al Jaheed cell, locate and extract Miss Takatunuye. Muttar Mimahid was captured by the Kuthernburg forces. The Oan Isles joined the Peacekeeping Forces of Urth as a result of the events Latianburg. Adam Bly of the Furnifold Times criticised the Oan Isles for using the organisation to advance its interests and promote its will. Maui Uye-Ahua followed up with his own article, criticising the Oan government. On 26 April 2017, the request for military hardware from Stratarin was approved and the hardware was delivered On 18 May 2017, the Oan Isles reaffirmed relations with Latianburg and Kuthernburg. Oan companies were granted lucrative contracts to operate in those nations especially in telecommunications and information technology, aid was exchanged and general ties improved.
Auroran-Cerenerian War
In 26 May 2017, the Al Jaheed attacked Yor and hacked Cafe Net servers in La Rochelle. They virtually shut down the Cafe Net system for much of the world. The scope and impact of the attack led to general alarm about the Al Jaheed's technical expertise, resources and ability to inflict serious damage on Oan interest. On the same day, the Al Jaheed bombed a part of the National Security Service headquarters. Although the damage was quickly repaired, it led to a desire to engage more aggressively with the Al Jaheed. On May 27, 2017, Emperor, Ehe, received the Blue Medal from Kuthernburg on behalf of the brave actions of the Oan armed forces.
This attack was particularly damaging because it damaged the Oan Isles voting infrastructure. The Oan Isles had been a direct democracy that had used an online application to give everyone in the nation the power to vote over laws. The terrorist who conducted the attack was arrested. It was Muttar Mimahid. This attack deeply hurt the nation but led it to support the former Emperor, Ehe I (known as Ese Ulua to non-Oans). A state of emergency was declared and he was granted sweeping powers to deal with the threat that Al Jaheed posed. On 28 May 2017, Tipene Rahua, the former Ambassador of the Oan Isles to the Auroran Continental Assembly, submitted a report to the ACA outlining the threat that Al Jaheed posed and the assertive response that was needed to deal with it and criticised the ACA for failing to act effectively on the matter. On behalf of the Emperor, he declared that the Oan Isles would invade the Yor Isles (where the Al Jaheed was apparently located and operating from).[2]
On 29 May 2017, Lambertus VII, the High King of the United Kingdom, called a meeting of countries to discuss the coup d'etat in Republican Ethalria in which the legitimate government was overthrown.[3] They further discussed the fascist alliance formed by the new Republican Ethalrian government and Matriarchal Ethalria. This group became known as the Allies. Viktor Drugov, the leader of Stratarin, was nearly assassinated at the meeting on June 4, 2017.
Rurin Lukin, his deputy, was killed along with others in the Stratarin line of succession. Mikhail Starikov took on the position of head of state of Stratarin.[4] The Oans and others were suspicious of this - likening the take over to a coup. Emperor Ehe I was a vocal critic of the South-East Pacific Coalition and believed that it ought to be disbanded, but there was fear that Starikov would use war to achieve that.[5]
On June 8, 2017, assassins from Matriarchal Ethalria killed Thadeus, King of Horales and Crown Prince of Staynes. The attack sent shockwaves throughout the world and further fixed Oan resolve against the Axis powers.[6] The Axis powers was an alliance made up of Republican Ethalria, Matriarchal Ethalria and Stratarin, against whom the Allies, of which the Oan Isles was a part, fought. On June 10, the Oan Isles sent a request to the Staynish government to invade Republican Ethalria and sent humanitarian and military aid to Kostoria Obertonia in preparation for a Republican Ethalrian invasion. On June 11, Kaltariezh invaded Matriarchal Ethalria.
The Oans undertook a diplomatic assault on Stratarin to isolate and weaken them. On June 12, 2017, the Oan Isles imposed sanctions on Stratarin. When asked for reasons for this action, the Oan Isles cited the alleged coup d'etat, the relegation of SEPC laws and other reasons, and imposed further conditions on Stratarin. These were deflected by the Stratarians. The diplomatic tensions culminated in the resignation of Fyodr Lyvov, Minister for Foreign Affairs for Stratarin two days later. Tretrid supported the Oan demands. On June 18, 2017, Ehe I (also known as Ese Ulua) called the leaders of four Atlantian countries to a meeting in La Rochelle to ask for assistance for the war. Mister Leader II of Mexregiona, Bartholomew Smith of Tretrid, King Calvin I of the Atlae Isles and Queen Naomi II of Kuthernburg attended and resolved to lend help. Monoherra Markka IV of Asian Cerenerian Islands attended as an observer. Another war erupted in Atlantia when various rogue states and former members of the Atlae Isles attempted to cede from the country and join sides with the Axis powers. Only Kuthernburg was eventually able to lend a hand. On 24 June, 2017, an Oan task force was sent to assist Kostoria-Obertonia. On the next day, troops were flown into North Yor as part of an assault to reclaim the islands from the Republican Ethalrian Republic.
On June 29, 2017, the Oan soldiers took the Rob Matterson Military Hospital in the capital of the Yor Isles. On June 30, 2017, Kuthern and Oan forces failed to take an airbase. On July 10, 2017, a part of the capital city of Yor was successfully taken. On July 11, 2017, the Oans had failed to take a powerplant and 80 soldiers were killed. This caused a great political stir in the Oan Isles. On 15 July, during the Coronation of the Asendavian Kaiser, the new Emperor, Oahoanu, spoke to Erwin Pipua, and they agreed to end the war. On July 16, the Kutherns began the process to declare a ceasefire. On the same day, the Oan soldiers evacuated out of the area. Of the 7,000 soldiers deployed there, 700 men were killed.
On July 17, 2016, a commission of inquiry was set up to investigate Oan involvement in the war. It mostly cleared the Oan government of guilt. On 20 July 2017, Maui Uye-Ahua submitted a petition for a referendum on the autonomy of the Noan Isles (also known as Konoa in the Oan language).
On August 3, propaganda pamphlets were dropped in Kostoria Obertonia and Republican Ethalria, encouraging dissent against the Greater Republican Ethalrian Imperial government. Aid was sent to Yor the next day which was in fact hidden drones. On 5 August 2017 Oan/Kuthern drones attacked three Republican Ethalrian cities. On 6 August 2017, the referendum was held and autonomy for the Noan Isles (Konoa) was overwhelmingly approved. On the same day, the Oan navy began fighting the remnants of the Republican Ethalrian navy.[7]
On August 7 2017, the Oan navy sank all but two Republican Ethalrian ships. On 9 August 2017, a boy was arrested in Asian Cerenerian Islands for treason. This sparked protests. Oahoanu was sent to mediate. On same day, the Oans blockaded Yor and attacked Nuremkastel in Kostoria Obertonia.
Konoan Autonomy
On 14 August 2017, the deputy head of the Portfolio on Finance and the Economy published a gloomy report on the Oan economy. On the whole, it was expected to and did, indeed, shrink. On August 15, 2017, a law was passed that formally put Noan autonomy into practice. On 16 August 2017, the state of emergency that had given Ehe I and his son Oaloanu sweeping powers since April 2017 was ended. On August 25, 2017, the Noan Territorial Government passed its fundamental law. On 30 August 2017, elections were held for the Noan Territorial Assembly. The Konoan People's Party, led by Maui Uye-Ahua, won resoundingly. On 31 August 2017, was appointed the Leader of the Noan Territorial Government.
Auroran Union and UNAC
The Oan Isles was bitter that despite the Allied victory over the Axis powers, Republican Ethalria was not punished. The Oan government felt that the Auroran Continental Assembly had lost its legitimacy and usefulness. It invited Allied countries to a conference in Sani Bursil to form the Auroran Union,[8] a short-lived political, economic and military alliance among Allied states of Aurora. The United Kingdom, Tivot, Tuvaltastan, Blueacia and the Yor Isles agreed to the invitation while Axdel and Emberwood Coast had their apprehensions.
Mass protests from university student-led organisations convinced many Allied countries to view the new alliance in a negative light. They felt that the Auroran Union would entrench post-War divisions and diminish the ability for the Allies to maintain peace throughout out the continent. Moreover the new Union would disrupt free trade, free travel and peace. The nations decided to terminate the Auroran Union.
All nations of Aurora, former Allies and Axis power alike, held another summit in which the decided to found the United Nations of the Auroran Continent.[9][10] They hoped to address the concerns and criticisms of not only the Oan Isles, but of others who found fault with the manner in which the ACA had handled and subsequently brought about the Second Auroran Imperial War. Unfortunately, Republican Ethalria was still not punished, but the political leadership of the Oan Isles believed that Pan-Auroran political thought could still be useful in preventing future wars.
War of the Kohatu Isles
The Kōhatu Isles (also known as Gemica in Staynish) are a small group of islands south of East Malaysia. They were ruled by a dictatorial one party state called the Diamond Authority (Ka Mana Daimana). The National Liberation Movement (Ka lahui ho'okuu lahui) had organised workshops, boycotts, protests and distributed pamphlets in opposition to the state, but it operated in secrecy and had little impact. After being invited by one of its leaders, Moissanite, Lazuli (Palauokole), a miner, organised a protest in a mine in Agate City ( 'Eka kai), that gained international attention after being seen by Oan investors who went to visit.[11]
Emboldened by Lazuli's actions, the NLM organised protests and propaganda throughout the country, culminating in a protests in front of the main government building in which people burnt their identity books and proclaimed their support of the Oan Isles. They were met with repression by the state which downgraded diplomatic relations with the Oan Isles. The Oans decided to provide support to the NLM. Together with NLM members, they entreated Opal (Papa), Lazuli's wife, to be the face of the revolution. After destroying her home fleeing to the autonomous Jewelica Island, she agreed.
After cyclone Mable, the Oans offered disaster relief and humanitarian aid. Shortly after the cyclone passed, the NLM led protests in Peridot City on Jewelica Island. Oan soldiers were present officially as observers. The Diamond Authority sent troops and fired live ammunition at the crowd. This precipitated a military response from the Oan Isles expelled Gemican forces from Jewelica and placed the island under military occupation. Given questions around how the invasion was carried out, the Cabinet suspended Locklyn Le Roy as Prime Minister, placing Sylvia Anāute as the acting Prime Minister.
The government stopped the invasion, placed Jewelica under a quarantine and sent military advisers to train the NLM in light of a plan by NLM leader, Sapphire Sardonyx, to turn the NLM into a military force. The government entered into negotiations with the Jewelican Free State to allow the Oan Isles to annex Jewelica. Negotiations broke down after the Diamond Authority conducted air strikes that killed 140 people. The Oan air force retaliated with air strikes on the JFS main building with Gemican forces in Jewelica surrendering to the NLM. NLM occupied and took over the island. The Oan government and the NLM agreed that Jewelica would become an autonomous overseas territory of the Oan Isles.
Princess Consort Aroha and other notable Oan women organised a conference on women empowerment in Jewelica as part of a broad program to integrate Jewelica into Oan political and economic life. The Oan Isles built a military base on island. It declared war on Gemica. Soon after, Gemica was blockaded and broader sanctions were imposed.
Gemica broke its agreement to treat political prisoners humanely when it abandoned the prison in which Lazuli and others were being held. This formed the pretext for a full-scale invasion. During a night attack, they first captured the prison and freed political 8. They attacked Gemican forces stationed in villages and towns. After a night of operations, the Diamond Authority capitulated and Gemica was integrated into the Jewelica overseas territory as the Overseas Territory of the Kōhatu Isles.
In the aftermath of the War, the Oan Isles and East Malaysia agreed on joint oil and natural gas exploration in the Caven Sea around and near the Kōhatu Isles and East Gemica Islands (which were part of the territory of East Malaysia). They established a joint venture to explore and exploit those resources which the Kohatu government got control of 2020.
Geography
Oan Isles is located on the planet Urth. The Home Islands lie at the eastern end of the Morstaybishlian and Polynesian Seas, separating them from the Cerenerian Ocean, between 140°E and 155°E, and between 5°S and 15°S. The Home Islands comprise approximately 33 islands. Its only land border is with the Morstaybishlian Cerenerian Territory on Koroimotu. The Kohatu Isles separate the Caven Sea from the Morstaybishlian Sea. They lie to the south and west of Peregrinia and to the east of Jusdelva. The Oan Isles has an combined area of approximately 103,171 km² (39,835 mi²). The home islands make up around 88,338 km² (34,107.67 mi²) while the Kohatu Isles make up 14,833 km² (5,727.05 mi²).
The Oan Isles has an average height above sea level of 675 meters (2214.57 feet). The lowest point is sea level. The height here is 0 metres above sea level. The highest point is Te Toka at 1,385 metres (4543.963 feet) above sea level. Most islands are topographically similar. The largest body of fresh water is Te Puru-makariri papatahi. It has a surface area of 340km² (131.275 mi²). The longest river is Te Tarakona-tere. It is 178 kilometres (110.604 miles) long. The biggest island is Tokamotu (the Isle of the Rock). The Oan Isles has a monsoon jungle climate. It rains for much of the year. It is humid. It is generally warm. This stems from its proximity to the Aequator. It is classified as a tropical monsoon jungle climate. Precipitation averages above 60mm, although it is higher in the monsoon season and lower in the drier months of the year. Extreme weather is not uncommon. Cyclones sometimes occur. For example, Cyclone Mable tore through the area in 2017, causing damage to infrastructure and death to livestock.
Oan Isles was formed millions of years ago from movement in the Urth's tectonic plates particularly the Cerenerian and Yasteria Major tectonic plates. The mineral composition of the island reflects this process. Most of the islands are geologically similar due to the uniformity of the process by which they were formed. Most of the rock is igneous rock. Over millions of years, undersea volcanoes spewed forth millions of tonnes of lava that hardened to form the islands. Kōa has generally fertile soil. Various minerals are present in the ground, particularly feldspars, quartz, micas, amphibole and olivine.
Biodiversity
The Oan Isles has a large amount of animal, plant and fungal species, many of which are endemic to the country. The predominant biomes are rainforests, wetlands, sand dune islands, alpine forests and thickets. Kōa is very close to the equator. Due to the country’s proximity to the Aequator, the climate is usually very humid, rainy and hot. Vegetation thrives under these conditions. Coupled with the relative geographic isolation, the country has a disproportionately high level of biodiversity. Most of the country is covered by rainforest. The forests of the country tree ferns such as Ponga (or silver fern), Mamaku or Tuakura, conifers such as Kauri, Kahikatea and Manoao and flowering trees such as Akeake, Kanono and Hīnau.
Birds are the most abundant non-human warm blooded animals. There are flightless birds such as kiwi, cassowary and the moa - the latter two are among the largest birds in the world. Flying birds include the Haast's eagle - one of the largest birds of prey in the world - tropicbirds, toroa (or albatross), Takapu (a type of gannet), Karuhiruhi (a type of cormorant), Putangitangi (a type of duck), ibis, spoonbill, Torea (a type of oystercatcher), pheasant, Tuturuatu (a type of plover) and Weka (a type of crake). Cold-blooded vertebrates include tuatara, Oligosoma (skinks such as aorangi, kakahu, tatahi, small eared, small-scaled, spotted, shore, green and moko) and geckos (almost all of which are viviparous such as kawekaweau, takitimu, green, jewelled, common, forest and black eyed). Of note, are the endemic frogs of the Leiopelma genus such as the hamiltoni, horchstetteri, pakeka and waitomo. Strangely, mammalian life is surprisingly absent with mainly the kurī dog, kiore rat, and three types of bats: short-tailed, lesser short-tailed and long-tailed. Almost all other mammals are domestic animals.
There are many marine animals such whales, dolphins and porpoises. The seas teem with crabs, lobster, shrimp and prawns, many types of rays and Moray eels. There are many types of salt water fish such as herring, haddock, pilchards, hake, tuna, sailfish, and angelfish. Freshwater bodies house fish such as elephantnose, pufferfish, catfish, butterflyfish, bushfish, mudfish and lungfish.
The biodiversity of Oan Isles faces many challenges. Deforestation and pollution from heavy industry has threatened the existence of many species. Fortunately, the government has implemented numerous policies such as banning the hunting of rare animals and collection of endangered plants, limiting economic activity and human habitation in areas of high biodiversity and many more. The nation is a signatory of international conventions that protect endangered species and works in international organizations to foster multilateral cooperation to tackle environmental challenges.
Politics
The politics of the Oan Isles take place in the framework of a unitary parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy. Prior to 1000 CE (1 AU), the Oan Isles consisted of several Kingdoms. These Kingdoms were mostly absolute monarchies. In some Kingdoms the priestly class wielded considerable influence while in other the warrior class was influential or in other the scholarly/bureaucratic class was important. The Kingdom of Tokamotu of which Ahua the Great was the last sovereign had a combination of warrior and scholarly leadership. Upon the unification of the Oan Isles, this system was perpetuated to the rest of the country. Warriors who fought alongside Ahua the Great were given ranks and titles and authority to enforce the law over lands and peoples whom he had taken over and rulers who cooperated were granted conciliatory titles and limited local powers giving rise to the modern aristocracy.
With the Mauist Schism in the 12th century CE (2nd century AU) , the aristocrats played a greater role in advising the Rangitanga-a-te-Moana on governance as well as overseeing local and community affairs. The expansion of the country under Aotearoa the Great led to the need for boards and offices to administer power from the Home Islands giving rise to a formal bureaucratic system. Losing the Strathepole Islands gave rise to a more centralised decision-making process including the creation of provinces governed by direct representatives of the Crown. The First Morsto-Oan War led to the formation of standing militias ready for combat in each province. The Second Morsto-Oan War led to the formation of the military, the modernisation of governance including the formation of the Council of the People as an elected advisory body.
Mikaere III passed the Constitution of the Oan Isles (Kaupapa Ture o Nga Motuere Oa) in 1907 which distributed law making powers between the Rangitanga-a-te-Moana, Council of the People and the Council of Chiefs and executive power between the Council of Ministers and the Rangitanga-a-te-Moana. Through amendments after the Great War, the Council of the People gained full control of legislative power and the Prime Minister became the effective ruler of the country. During the Auroran-Cerenerian War, the declaration of a state of war led to powers being returned to the Rangitanga-a-te-Moana temporarily, but the Supreme Court subsequently ruled this illegal resulting in further diminishing of the role of the Sovereign in government. In the aftermath of the Kohatu War, the Oan government gained authority over the Kohatu Isles.
Government
The government of the Oan Isles consists of three branches with checks and balances between them under the ceremonial authority of the Rangitanga-a-te-Moana. The Rangitanga-a-te-Moana is the head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Due to the constraints on their power through laws and conventions, real political and executive power rests with the Prime Minister of the Oan Isles. The Rangitanga-a-te-Moana is vested with royal prerogatives but relies on the advice of the Prime Minister or another Minister of the Crown to exercise them. This leaves them as a largely ceremonial figure and these power exists mostly as a last resort during emergencies. The executive branch nominally consists of the Rangitanga-a-te-Moana advised by the Council of Elders however real political power rests with the Council of Ministers, of which it is technically a committee. The remaining members have honorary roles with practical part in the running of the country.
The Rangitanga-a-te-Moana nominally has the power to appoint the Prime Minister for as long as they wish. However, because the Prime Minister relies on the confidence or the National Assembly to remain in office, the Rangitanga-a-te-Moana can only appoint someone in whom the Council of the People has confidence i.e., the leader of the largest party or coalition. The Prime Minister is the chair of the Council of Ministers, he advises the Rangitanga-a-te-Moana on the appointment of Ministers of the Crown and controls the executive branch. The Council of Ministers is the highest decision-making and deliberative body of the executive branch. It is responsible for executing laws. Its members, Ministers of the Crown also known more simply as Ministers, are heads of executive government departments that carry out day-by-day running of the country.
The Constitution vests the power to make laws in the Crown as well as the National Assembly. The National Assembly consists of the Council of the People and the Council of Chiefs. Despite being the nominally lower house, the Council of the People wields all the real legislative power including to pass a vote of no-confidence in the Council of Ministers, to approve the annual budget and other appropriations legislation, to amend the Constitution and to hold politicians accountable through legislative inquiries. It is elected every 4 years unless an early dissolution arises due to the Prime Minister advising the Rangitanga-a-te-Moana to dissolve the Council of the People or due to à self-imposed dissolution by a majority of its members.
The Rangitanga-a-te-Moana and the Council of Chiefs comprise the ceremonial part of the legislature. Even though the Council of Chiefs is the nominally upper house, it has no political power except to pass non-binding resolutions and deliberate on political and legislative matters. It consists of aristocrats recognised in the Oan system of titles from the Oan Isles, Kohatu Isles or the Morstaybishlian Cerenerian Territories above the rank of junior chief. The Rangitanga-a-te-Moana grants royal assent to make bills passed by the Council of the People to make them law. Although they can theoretically refuse to grant royal assent, they cannot make that decision except on the advice of the Prime Minister.
Justice and sapient rights
The legal system of the Oan Isles consists of influences from indigenous and Auroran sources. The customary law of the Oan Isles evolved over the history of the country. It was influenced by Mauist and pre-Mauist customs and values. Despite attempts to suppress pre-Mauist sources, the teaching of Priest Pohinga in the 12th century CE (2nd century AU) and the Mauist Schism led to their reintroduction. Starting in the 17th century CE (7th century AU), attempts at formalising and modernising the law led to the Rangitanga-a-te-Moana passing decrees and consolidating laws into codes. This culminated with the passing of the first and current Constitution of the Oan Isles under Mikaere III which vested statutory law-making powers in the National Assembly. Upon joining the Auroran Continental Assembly, the Auroran Union and the United Nations of the Auroran Continent, Auroran law was received into the law of the Oan Isles.
The Oan court system consists of trial and appellate courts. The Supreme Court of the Oan Isles is the final court for appeals and it has the power to overturn laws which go against the Constitution. Cases from the Supreme Court can be appealed to the Auroran Court of Justice. High Courts serve as courts of first instance in cases that Magistrate Courts do not have the power to try and they receive appeals from Magistrate Courts on cases that those courts have already tried. Cases from High Courts can be appealed to the Supreme Court. All High Court and Supreme Court judges are appointed by the Rangitanga-a-te-Moana on the advice of the Prime Minister from recommendations of the Commission for Judicial Appointments. Rural Tribunals consist of the Chief of that village and senior residents of the village whom they appoint. They act as an arbitration and mediation body in which there are no lawyers. Cases here can be retried in a Magistrate Court. Precedents form part of Oan case law.
Foreign affairs
The Prime Minister oversees foreign relations. He is advised on foreign policy by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, currently Arana Marama. The Rangitanga-a-te-Moana receives the accreditations of foreign ambassadors and has symbolic precedence over all Oan officials in diplomatic protocol. Faced with a lack of natural resources, the threat of invasion and economic competition from other nations, the country adopted multilateralism and pacifism in the latter half of the 20th century. This policy was supplanted by strategic interventionism, expansionism and selective allegiance in 2017. The nation's foreign policy focuses on building alliances with and defending the shared interests of capitalist democratic monarchies. Historically Oan royalty has used strategic marriages to foreign powers to strengthen its global position, for instance the marriage of former Rangitanga-a-te-Moana Ehe II to Princess Eleanor of Staynes.
After the Auroran-Cerenerian War, the Oan Isles called for Allied nations to leave the then-Auroran Continental Assembly and join the Auroran Union. It quickly faded and the Oan Isles joined the United Nations of the Auroran Continent. It is also a member of the Kirib Monetary Union, Intercontinental Regional Security Accords, International Forum, and the Peacekeeping Forces of Urth. The country's closest allies are Great Morstaybishlia, Kuthernburg and Tuvaltastan (and their respective spheres of influence). The country maintains cordial relations with Tivot, South Hills, Emberwood Coast, Tretrid, Atlae, Gordic Council and Mexregiona. The Matriarchy of Ethalria was once considered an enemy but, after its partition, relations with Faethalria, Thalria and the North Ethalrian Confederacy have been mild, but suspicious. Once a cordial partner, Stratarin is considered an enemy.
Military
The Oan Defence Forces (Nga Ope Taua Huihui o Nga Moutere Oa) comprises the military of the Oan Isles. As the Rangitanga-a-te-Moana is the commander in chief of the armed forces, he has the power to declare war. In practice, the Prime Minister has supreme political oversight of the armed forces. The Minister of Defence, General Oahuoa Uye, advises the government on defence policy and runs the Department of Defence. The Department of Defence administers the daily affairs of the armed forces. The Chief of Defence Staff is the highest ranking professional officer of the armed forces. The primary objective of the armed forces is to protect the Oan Isles and its allies and advance their interests abroad. It consists of the Oan Navy, the Oan Air Force and the Oan Army.
The country spends 35 billion KRB on defence. 5 billion KRB of this amount is military aid from Great Morstaybishlia. The remaining 30 billion KRB comes from the country’s budget and makes up 3.8% of annual GDP. The country has a total manpower of 559,500 soldiers, but the professional volunteer full-time military consists of 186,500 officers (1% of the population) and a reserve force of 373,000 reservists (2% of the population). The country has an innovative and internationally reputable domestic arms manufacturing industry. It imports weapons from Great Morstaybishlia and Kuthernburg and formerly imported weapons from Stratarin. As an island nation, it has invested in its navy to protect its territory and project power. With the ability to carry out combat at high sea in surrounding oceans in more than one threatre at once, it is considered a green-water naval power. When coupled with military bases on the Kohatu Isles in the Morstaybishlian Sea, Indigo Islands in the Azure Sea and in the deep Cerenerian Ocean, the military has immense force projection power. Having fought and won major international conflicts such as the Latianburg Insurgency, Auroran-Cerenerian War and War of the Kohatu Isles, the armed forces is considered highly experienced and battle-ready.
Administrative divisions
The Oan Isles is a unitary state thus the national government has considerable control over the running of the country. However, administrative divisions have been established which have been delegated decision making authority and responsibility over the affairs of their respective residents. The first tier are the provinces. The home islands have 14 provinces as follows:
- Tokamotu
- Koroinotu
- Tongamotu
- Ataahuamotu
- Nga Motuere Whenua
- Manaakitangamotu
- Noamotu
- Maungamotu
- Waimotu
- Nga Motuere Tarutaru
- Nga Motuere Rakau
- Rawhitimotu
- Nga Motuere Raki
- Tokowha Nga Tuatana
The legislative branch of each province consists of a Provincial Assembly which is elected by the registered residents of the province every 4 years. The Provincial Assembly is elected by party list proportional representation using the ranked choice voting method. The Provincial Assemblies have the power to pass by-laws over areas of legislation delegated to them by the National Assembly. Each Provincial Assembly elects a Chief Minister from among its members who chairs and appoints the Provincial Executive Council with the approval of the Provincial Assembly.
The Provincial Executive Council in turn executes legislation and administers the running of the province. Each member of the PEC controls a portfolio. The Rangitanga-a-te-Moana is represented in each state by a Governor whom he appoints on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Governor has ceremonial duties such as opening sessions of the Provincial Assembly and signing by-laws. Provinces administer the following areas concurrently with and/or independently from the national government: agriculture, environment, public safety, community welfare, gambling, public housing, public transport, vehicle licensing, rural and urban planning and development, and liquor licenses.
Below the provincial government are the local governments who administer municipalities comprising cities, towns, villages and countryside. They deliver public services and manage the affairs of the areas they govern. They mostly give effect to policies and legislation decided at national and provincial level. They have some room to issue their own by-laws within the framework of areas delegated to them by law such as speed bumps, zoning, construction permits, trash collection, public toilets, road crossings, taxi permits etc. Some municipalities such as Tauranga a te Toka have more control over their internal affairs because they are highly populated and economically influential.
Large municipality has the same structure: the legislature is comprised of a Municipal Assembly elected by party proportional representation via run off voting which in turn elects a Mayor who chairs and appoints the Municipal Executive Council. The MEC executes legislation and runs the daily affairs of the city. They differ from the national and provincial governments in that a City Manager may be appointed to handle the technical management of the municipality's affairs. In some municipalities where the population is very low so the functions of the MEC and the MA will be combined into a Municipal Council elected directly by the residents of the municipality while daily running of the city is left to a City Manager.
The Realm of the Kohatu Isles is an overseas dependent territory of the Oan Isles. Through the Treaty of Pounamupa, the National Liberation Movement was recognized as the legitimate government of Gemica and successor to the Diamond Authority. It agreed to make the islands part of the Oan Isles. Thus, when the NLM was dissolved its treaty obligations passed on to the government of the Kohatu Isles through the Constitution of the Kohatu Isles which delegates responsibility for monetary policy, foreign relations, defence, criminal justice, taxation, property rights, marriage, abortion, labour rights, pensions etc., to the government of the Oan Isles. Furthermore, the Rangitanga-a-te-Moana was recognised as the head of state, putting the Oan and Kohatu Isles in personal union.
The Rangitanga-a-te-Moana is represented by a Viceroy whom he appoints on the advice of the Chief Minister of the Kohatu Isles. The Chief Minister as head of government chairs and appoints the Cabinet and is elected by the Kohatu National Assembly. The KNA is elected by the people through proportional representation via run off voting. It is further subdivided into 3 provinces and 13 municipalities which are structured similarly to those on the home islands. Another similar arrangement exists with the Province of Noamotu which was given greater power over issues such as education, taxation and budget, mineral rights, forestry, marine resources, port licenses, and air traffic due to an autonomy movement in 2017 which in part influenced the Kohatu War. Its government is structured in a similar way to the governments of other provinces.
Economy
The economic system of the Oan Isles takes place in the framework of a mixed economy. While the government intervenes in the economy through high tax rates, a wide social safety net and private sector regulation, private property is respect and the factors of production are controlled through free market forces. Total economic output stands at a nominal GDP of 788,768,750,000 KRB. With a nominal GDP per capita of 42,350 KRB, the Oan Isles is considered a post-industrial highly developed upper income economy. After the annexation of the Kohatu Isles and the discovery of fossil fuels, the Oan economy has grown at an average rate of 6% annually, among the highest in the region. As a member of the Kirib Monetary Union, the kirib is the legal tender and the Auroran Central Bank controls monetary policy. However, the Bank of the Oan Isles remains the central bank.
The economy maintains a substantial annual balance of payments account of 5 billion KRB. Prior to the discovery of fossil fuels, the debt to GDP ratio was high, but has now declined. With stable accounts and prudent financial management, the economy is a net lender and major exporter of goods and services. The country's biggest exports are fossil fuels, lumber, fish, high value-added manufactured goods like military hardware, optic fibres and semi-conductors. With only a quarter of the land being arable, the country is a net importer of food and its major imports include raw materials and motor vehicles. As an export driven market, its largest trade partners are in Aurora and to a lesser extent Novaris and Concord. As a developed economy, the service sector makes up a substantial share of economic output, with financial services, information technology services, tourism and transshipment being the largest components.
The Oan Isles is home to many large multi-national corporations such as Oan Airways, Metatron Corporation, Cafe Net (a subsidiary of Damehowe from Great Morstaybishlia), and Standard National Bank. It is also the regional headquarters of large international companies such as Velox Motors from Volkia, Guildhall (a subsidiary of INTCO from Vistaraland). It is also the seat of the Auroran Monetary Fund.
Infrastructure
As an island nation, the primary mode of transport is by air and sea. Thus, there are several small airports and seaports connecting the country. The largest airport is the Tokapa International Airport on the island of Tokamotu, the hub of the country's flag carrier and largest airline Oan Airways. The port of Tauranga a te Toka is among the busiest container ports in the Auroran region. The main form of land transportation is by rail or bus. Because of the mountainous terrain, the construction of roads is challenging and expensive. Furthermore, the high population density in habitable areas of the country results in congestion and high air pollution. Thus, the country has prioritized public transport as the main form of transport. The fastest rail line is the Tokapa to Tauranga a te Toka maglev line at around 400km per hour. On average a commute in any of the 8 major Home Islands takes 40 minutes or less.
The Oan Isles is a net energy exporter and has a healthy energy mix. Fossil fuels, nuclear energy and hydroelectric power provide a roughly equal share of the nation's energy needs. Because the country is prone to flooding due to monsoon storms, the nation has an extensive network of canals and levees to mitigate the effects of high rainfall. Due to its small area, the country does not have large natural lakes. Thus, rain-fed artificial reservoirs provide most of the country’s water needs. High rates of urbanisation have led to a high concentration of water delivery infrastructure.
Science and technology
The Oan Isles is major centre of scientific and technological development. Cafe Net, currently a subsidiary of Damehowe Inc headquartered in and operating from the Oan Isles, runs the most commonly used internet search engine in Aurora. The company also runs a highly successful cloud services business and social media platform, the former of which was a target of an Al Jaheed cyberterror attack in 2017 because it stored and processed Oan government information.[12] Nevertheless, its innovations in data encryption, which were part of its success, were demonstrated by the speed with which it bounced back from the attack. The country is a leader in bioscience, having contributed to the scientific minds and economic resources of the Great Seed Repository at the International Icelab, Sempiterna, where over 10 million seeds and 6,000 plant species have been stored and studied.[13][14] The collaboration, which brought together scientists from the University of Tokapa in the Oan Isles and the Royal Bursil University in Great Morstaybishlia, spawned inventions such as the chlorophyll polymer solar panel that can absorb ultraviolet and that remains operational in cloudy weather.[15] A testament to the biotechnological research of the Oan Isles is the Tokapa Zoological and Botanical Gardens which have made major contributions in scientific research around marine biology, botany, aviology, insectology, and hepatology.[16]
Outside of bioscience and biotechnology, the country excels in computer technology and robotics. The Metatron Corporation is the largest producer of microchips in the world. In aviation, artificial intelligence and military technology, the nation has made substantial contributions. Working with KAE Systems, a Kuthern technology mega-corporation, Oan scientists developed and produced unmanned aerial combat vehicles which were used in the Auroran-Cerenerian War against Matriarchal Ethalrian forces. Founder of Cafe Net, scientist Etuarti Takatunuye, was instrumental in the development of machine-learning-based search algorithms, pioneered digital security and hypercomplex data structures. The Oan Academy of Science is the national agency which brings together academics and professionals in the STEM fields to promote research and development and advise the government on scientific policy. The Oan Isles participates in scientific initiatives with other member states of the UNAC through ASTRA ( the Auroran Science and Technology Research Agency).
Demographics
Personal Development
The Oan Isles is one of the most developed countries in the world. Its people enjoy high standards of living and quality of life. Based on the International Poverty Line, the Oan Isles does not have extreme poverty at all. When adjusted for the cost of living in the Oan Isles, about 1% of the population is estimated to live below the poverty line. Nevertheless, a wide safety net of free housing, subsidized food and fuel, free education and universal health care means that Oan people who would otherwise be destitute in other nations enjoy higher standards of living.
Some of these nets include tax deductions to help people especially middle to low income families meet their living expenses such as tax breaks for having children, paying a mortgage, living with an older relative, having a chronic medical condition or disability, and many others. These aim to provide relief for families with additional responsibilities. In some instances the government will provide a grant to young people to pay the down payment on a house or car to help the youth get started. This has been one of the critical issues affecting young people globally: the difficulty of accessing the tools to start a family. Furthermore, the low levels of air pollution, abundance of social activities, well regulated working environment, access to pristine natural areas and arts and culture give Oans a quality of life. Metrics of happiness are surprisingly difficult to collect and study. The most reputable attempts include the National Quality of Life Satisfaction Index conducted by the Department of Home Affairs in 2020 states that among a representative sample of 5,000 people, 75% are extremely satisfied, 24% are satisfied, 1.8% are dissatisfied and 0.2% are extremely dissatisfied with their lives in the Oan Isles. Some of the dampeners of the quality of life in the Oan Isles include the population density, intensity of the rainy season, the late age at which people get married and have children because of social norms, and the anxiety around natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions and floods.
Population distribution
The Oan Isles has a total population estimated at 18,650,000 as of 2021. The most populated city is Tauranga a te Toka with a population of 3,624,195 people, as of 2021 (19.5% of the total population). The most heavily populated province is Tokamotu with a population of 6,704,960 (36% of the total population). The top 5 most populated cities make up 58.2% of the population (about 10,839,750 people). The Home Islands have a population of 14,755,200 people (which is about 79.2% of the population) and the Kohatu Isles have a population of 3,869,800 people. 6 municipalities have populations of over 1 million, the lowest of which is also the only one from the Kohatu Isles to make it in the top 10, Mahakatepa.
The rural population makes up 8% of the population. This population is typically engaged in mineral extraction, fishing, lumber and farming. The urban population makes up 92% of the population and dominates the country's cultural economic and political life. Females make up 50.1% of the population, while males make up 49.9% of the population. Children (people aged between 0 and 14 years of age) make up 19.9% of the population, senior citizens (people aged 60 and above) make up 18.3% of the population while working age adults between the ages of 15 and 59 make up 61.2% of the population. Assuming everyone above 60 and below 15 is a dependent, 1 working age adult has an average 0.376 dependents or approximately 3 adults support 1 dependent.
Largest cities
Official Oan Name | Staynish name | Province | Country | Population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tauranga a te Toka | Port of the Rock | Tokamotu | Home Islands | 3624195 |
Tokapa | La Rochelle | Tokamotu | Home Islands | 2866295 |
Noapa | Harmony City | Noamotu | Home Islands | 1865295 |
Anapa | Serenity City | Manaakitangamotu | Home Islands | 1380770 |
Maungapa | Mountain City | Maungamotu | Home Islands | 1103295 |
Mahakatepa | Malachite City | Gemica | Kohatu Isles | 1047800 |
Tongapa | Southern City | Tongamotu | Home Islands | 857470 |
Koroipa | Crystal City | Koroimotu | Home Islands | 617470 |
Moataone | Moa Town | Ataahuamotu | Home Islands | 332470 |
Akatepa | Agate City | Jewelica | Kohatu Isles | 331000 |
Mobility
The total number of people entering the country on visas or permits longer than 6 months annually is around 100,000 to 150,000 people. The largest sources of immigrants are Great Morstaybishlia, Axdel, Tuvaltastan, Kuthernburg and Latianburg. Usually these are students and fixed-term contract workers in the construction, fossil fuel and information technology sectors. A very small amount of refugees, about a few thousand every year, are registered. These are usually people from Thalria, Kostromastan, Fortuna, Stratarin and Nilovia. Despite the frigid diplomatic relations, the Oan Isles accepts refugees and asylum seekers from these nations because of the persecution they face back home.
The number of Oans who leave the Oan Isles for longer than 6 months every year is around 40,000 to 80,000 people. These are usually students, military personnel on foreign deployment, workers in the financial services, information technology or scientific sectors. The largest destination for Oan emigrants is Great Morstaybishlia followed distantly by Kuthernburg. When The Kohatu Isles were absorbed into the Oan Isles and new business, working and living opportunities opened up in that area, a massive transfer of people has occurred. On average, about 200,000 people from the Kohatu Isles move to the Oan Isles for 6 months or longer and about 280,000 people move to the Kohatu Isles for 6 months or longer.
Language
According to the 2020 census, the most widely spoken first/native/mother tongue languages are Oan (Te Reo Oa) at 87%, Kohatu (Olelo Kohatu) 7%, Staynish at 5% and others at 1% such as Salovian, Fortunan and Axdelian. The most widely spoken second language is Staynish followed by Oan and Kohatu. All children in the Oan Isles learn Staynish at school and get exposed to it because of International media and business. Staynish also helps people from other countries communicate with the local population so they prefer to use that. People from the Home Islands who move to the Kohatu Isles or work regularly with businesses in the Kohatu Isles learn Kohatu, while people from the Kohatu Isles learn Oan. Immigrants who live long enough in the countrg eventually adopt Oan as a second or first language. Most people in the Oan Isles (about 98%) can speak at least 2 languages.
The two native languages, Oan and Kohatu, belong to the Polynesian language family. The Polynesian language family is so ancient and unique that there are few link to languages from other parts of the world. Linguists sometimes argue that Polynesian has links to mainland Auroran languages because of similar consonants and their analytical grammar. Naturally, some linguists believe that the Polynesian languages are too old and unique to be reliably grouped with another group. Moreover, because research in speech and language development across sentient species is patchy at best, further understanding of the origins of Polynesian languages is non-existent.
Religion
The Spiritual Self Expression Survey conducted by the University of Tokapa is the largest and most reliable source of information on religious beliefs in the Oan Isles as the government does not conduct surveys or include questions in the census concerning religion. Usually about 20,000 people are interviewed to compile the data for the survey. It must be noted that the statistics do not include people below the age of 15.
As of 2020, the survey has found the following information:
- 95% of the population profess belief in a supernatural being or force that directs their lives or the world around them. 3% are undecided or ambiguous and 2% do not have any belief in such a force.
- 90% of the population believe in an afterlife or spirit of some sort. 7% are undecided or ambiguous and the remaining 3% do not believe in a spirit Orr afterlife.
- 80% of the population are adherents of a religion. Unlike other surveys, this survey does not look at the intensity of religiosity given that the religions practiced in the Oan Isles do require intense participation.
From this, the following information was unveiled: 65% of the population follow Mauism, 8% of the population follow Polynesian Traditional Religion (especially people from the Kohatu Isles), 6% follow some mainland variation of Thaerism (mostly people from mainland Aurora, especially Great Morstaybishlia), 1% follow Verk'ohism (usually by migrants and refugees from former Salovian countries like Tuvaltastan and Kostromastan) and 1% follow other religions especially Clarityism mostly by Fortunan refugees and Vayan Catholicism (largely by refugees and asylum seekers from Stratarin who are persecuted for being adherents).
Ethnic groups
Humans comprise the following ethnic groups:
- West Cerenerian Islanders (95% of the population or 17,693,750 people) are the indigenous people of the Greater West Cerenerian Islands (which consists of The Oan Isles, the Morstaybishlian Cerenerian Territories, the Kohatu Isles and Jusdelva).
- Oans make up 75% of the population (13,968,750 people), of whom 98% are citizens or permanent residents of the Oan Isles and 2% are citizens of Great Morstaybishlia (indigenous people of MWPT who are usually expatriates). All people who have Oan descent are regarded as Oan. They tend to speak Oan and be Mauist.
- Kohatuans make up 23% of the population (4,283,750 people). They are almost entirely citizens of the Oan Isles and practice Mauism.
- Jus make up 2% of the population (372,500 people) and they are all expatriates and citizens of Great Morstaybishlia. They tend to speak Jùs and practice Mauism.
- Morst people refer to the indigenous people of Great Morstaybishlia (excluding Jusdelva). They make up 2% of the population (372,500 people). They tend to be citizens, permanent residents and expatriates. They are usually Thaerist.
- Staynish make up 1% of the population (186,250 people). This group is very difficult to delineate because Staynish people arrived in four waves: in 700 CE as missionaries of Thaerism, following the First Morsto-Oan War from 1706 (706 AU) to 1717 (717 AU) whereby the Morstaybishlian Empire took over part of Oan territory, following the Second Morsto-Oan War from 1850 to 1855 (850 to 855 AU) which resulted in more territory being taken, and in the 20th and 21st centuries CE (10th and 11th centuries AU). Only those people who have no Oan descent are regarded as Staynish. They tend to speak Staynish.
- Kaltariz also have a similar story to the Staynish. They make up 0.5% of the population (93,125 people). They tend to speak Kaltareg.
- Valerians make also have a similar story to the Staynish. They make up 0.25% of the population (46,062). They tend to speak Staynish.
- Unknown are those who are Morst but who are not known to belong to any of the above groups. They consist of 46,063 people. These group of people originate from Great Morstaybishlia and from Emberwood Coast. They tend to speak Staynish.
- Ethalrians came in two waves. They came in the 15th century CE (5th century AU) following the signing of deals with Ethalria by Kipiri II and in the 20th century (10th century AU) and following the Auroran-Cerenerian War. They make up 1% of the population (186,250 people). They tend to be Thaerist, speak Ethalrian and be refugees or expatriates.
- Salovians make up 1% of the population. They came in three waves similarly to the Ethalrian. They tend to speak Salovian, be Verk'ohist and be refugees or expatriates.
- Tuvalts make up 0.75% of the population (139,687 people).
- Tivotis make up 0.2% of the population (37,250 people).
- Kostroms make up 0.03% of the population (5,587)
- Biramurans make up 0.01% of the population (1,863 of the population).
- Unknown Salovian make up 0.01% of the population (1,860 people)
Cava make up 1% of the population (186,250 people). All of them are Axdelians. They arrived in waves similar to the Staynish people. They tend to speak Axdelian, be Thaerist and be expatriates from Axdel.
Vulpines make up 0.5% of the population (93,000) people. This is divided roughly equally among the three extant Vulpine groups in the country:
- Vekaiyuns arrived in the 11th and 10th centuries AU. They are typically expatriates.
- Eridanians arrived following the annexation of Eridani Theta by Fortuna. They are mostly expatriates.
- Stratarians arrived as refugees following the coup d'état in Stratarin and subsequent persecution of Vulpines.
The remaining 0.5% consists of people from all over the world.
Health
The executive department which oversees the health care system of the Oan Isles is the Department of Health. The Minister of Health runs that department and is the highest adviser of the government on health care policy in the country. Various government institutions are responsible for important health care functions. The Institute of Infectious Diseases is the state agency responsible for research relating to infectious disease, vaccination, immunology, epidemiology and related matters. It directs the Oan Isles' response to pandemics. The standards for medical and clinical training and regulation of the health care practice are set by the Board of Healthcare Professionals. Public hospitals and clinics are administered by the national government. The Tokapa Medical Center is the largest and most advanced hospital in the Oan Isles and was the birthplace of the monarch of Kuthernburg, Queen Naomi Truden II. Oan citizens and permanent residents have free healthcare and all working individuals are required to make compulsory contributions to the Oan Universal Health Insurance Scheme (UHIS).
The people of the Oan Isles have an average life expectancy of 78 years of age. Males have an average life expectancy of 76 years of age and females have an average life expectancy of 80 years of age. The leading cause of death in the Oan Isles is old age and related conditions, followed distantly by cardiovascular diseases and motor vehicle accidents. The annual number of people who die is 120,000 people while the annual number of people who are born is 180,000 people. Thus, births contribute 0.5% to the population growth rate. The Kohatu Isles have a higher rate of births than the Home Islands. Unfortunately, they have a higher rate of infant mortality. The average infant mortality rate in the Oan Isles is about 1.1 per 1,000 births.
Education
The education system of the Oan Isles has been shaped by its cultural, technological and economic development. In ancient times there were few formal schools with most people learning their trade from a master or from family. Although herbal healers, diviners and spiritual leaders of Oan folk religions had formal periods of training and induction under an organize society of their peers, it was through the introduction of Thaerism over 1400 years ago that formal schools (formal institutions at a fixed location) were established: seminaries for aspirant clergy. When Mauism was established 1021 years ago, the state spread reading and writing to as many people as possible to follow its precepts. Coupled with the founding of the printing press a few centuries later, formal institutions of education in the secular space emerged. With the first industrial revolution, the education system developed tiers and was organized under state decree with supporting government bodies. The nature of education shifted from solely liberal arts and classical vocations to technical and scientific skills in the wake of the second industrial revolution. The third industrial revolution saw the integration of technology into education. The government is preparing for the fourth industrial revolution through cryptographic microcredentials and online and lifelong education.
Primary and secondary education, provided mostly through co-educational non-boarding secular schools. Although education policy arises from the Ministry of Education, the Board of Education has independence and ample discretion in the management of public schools and development of the curriculum. Oan schools are known for their academic rigour and holistic approach to education, offering adequate preparation for the International School Leaving Exams which provides successful candidates with an internationally recognised and accredited certification that offers entry into Oan institutions of higher education. With Oan students being ranked among the best in the world for performance in mathematics and language, the system is broadly considered a success.
Higher institutions of education are among the foremost institutions in tertiary education and research. They offer admittance to foreign students and attract talented and renowned academics from around the world. The most prestigious among them are the University of Tokapa (Whare Wanaga a Tokapa) and the National University of the Oan Isles (Whare Wanaga Iwi to Motuere Oa). Oan institutions excel in health, electronics, robotics, geological and oceanographic research.
Culture
Dress and appearance
Oan people usually let their hair grow long, wearing it loose or in a bun. They sometimes put a comb or pin through it. This is usually made of wood or whale bone. It is typically decorated with carvings which usually include swirly forms reminiscent of clouds or waves. Some people also wear feathers in their hair. Males often have extensive intricate tattoos over their face, chest and arms. These are called moko. Females usually only have a tattoo under the lips and over the chin and like to wear black lipstick.
Both men and women wear skirts and dresses. Dresses typically go across the chest, leaving the neck and shoulders exposed. Men sometimes wear skirts that expose their buttocks. Skirts are typically worn with a wide belt. Skirts and dresses typically have geometric patterns such as chevrons repeated. People sometimes wear mantles and cloaks. These cloaks and mantles can be made from the feathers kiwi bird or moa bird. Fabrics are usually made from flax. Earth, potash rock, plant resin or other dyes.
Social norms and everyday life
Most Oan people live in the cities. As people moved from the farms and villages to the towns and cities, their lifestyles became more fast-paced. Despite the abundance and accessibility of resources and opportunities, commercialism and competition for promotions and business opportunities increased. People became more educated. As a result, most households became monogamous with parents having, on average, one to three children.
There is a relatively high cost of living in the cities, so many people stay in apartments or lease townhouses. Middle-class and upper-class people are able to enjoy life in quiet suburban spaces. Cities offer many amenities that make life more convenient such as shops and public transport and have easy access to entertainment such as pubs, theatres and museums.
In Oan society people who are intimate or familiar greet each other by pressing their noses against one another. Women and men are treated equally. Men and women share equally in domestic tasks. Children are taught to respect their elders and become independent at a young age. Elders occupy places of esteem in society. Oans are generally friendly, polite and courteous. Oans have strong cultural and spiritual links. They often pray and meditate in private and in public as individuals or groups. They partake in many ceremonies and rituals such as lighting incense and offering crop sacrifices to honour the dead. They have many festivals and feasts such as annual parades of young people who have been initiated into adulthood.
Sports
The Oan Isles has a large number of sports fans, players and teams. Some of the leagues are internationally rated in their respective disciplines. The biggest sport, by far, is rugby. The Oan Isles produces many international players, participates and does very well in international tournaments and has world-class venues and training facilities dedicated to the sport. The second is boxing. Oans typically enjoy water sports. These include canoeing. Open sea and river rapid canoeing are popular. Canoeing was use by the ancient people to voyage between islands. Voyagers turned this into a sport that has survived until now. Oans also enjoy surfing, diving, sailing, wind-surfing and competitive swimming. They also enjoy sports such as competitive tree-climbing, mountain-climbing and stick fighting.
Arts and Performance
Oans enjoy open air live shows such as outdoor theatre and choral music. Firelight theatre arose from the ancient past-time where people would gather around a fire to tell stories and sing. Theatre often employs music, dance and poetry. Oan music typically involves singing particular in groups. There is often very little instrumental accompaniment. Of the few instruments that are used, woodwind or percussive instruments appear most often. Oans have a war chant called a haka. This war chant was used in the ancient days to instill fear in the enemy. It is now a form of cultural expression and is commonly used by the Oan national rugby team before a match. There is a rich culture of carving and tapestry. Homes are often decorated with intricate carvings on panels and poles. Tapestries are often hung in people's homes.
Film and Media
The Oan Isles has a highly free and independent press. Freedom of the media is guaranteed by the Constitution of the Oan Isles and respected in practice by the government. Within this environment, privately-owned and independent media houses and publications have emerged. The most famous and largest of which is Oan News (known formally as the Oan National News Network). It was founded prior to the Great War during political reforms by Emperor Mikaere to give smaller publications the ability to report on it. However, newspapers have existed even longer than that and many remain in circulation such as Tokapa Times, the Anapa Bulletin and the Noapa Journal which were founded in the 19th and 18th centuries. However, there are publishing houses even older than that which remain in operation such as Putangitangi Publishers which was founded in 1630.
The Oan Broadcasting Corporation (OBC) is a quasi-state-owned broadcaster that runs radio and television broadcasts and is the largest in the country. However competitors such as Aurora TV and OTR (Oan Television and Radio) exist. The country has switched entirely to digital television. Various online audio-visual streaming platforms exist. Social media has become a major source of entertainment, social interaction and news such as Vibes and Pigeon. Unfortunately, eating disorders and depression due to cyberbullying and the purveyance of unrealistic beauty standards have been reported in teen-age and early twenty's males and females. Oan film is strong with the country acting as a location for many blockbuster global films due to its close proximity to mainland Aurora and its stunning natural vistas and highly competent technical teams and performers. The College of Arts at the University of Tokapa is among the most prestigious media and film schools in the country and many other institutions award formal qualifications in this sphere.
Symbols
The flag of the Oan Isles has the Kori symbol in the centre with red and green on either side. The Kori symbol is a stylized version of an unfolding silver fern, a tree that is indigenously found in the Oan Isles. The tree represents the unfolding of the nation's potential and the emergence of its true form. This symbol traces its origins to 1000 BCE when it was allegedly used by Ahua the Great. Some scholars believes that the symbol was used centuries before that as evidence of it has been found in caves, on wooden carving, and pottery. But its historic and cultural significance prior to Ahua the Great's reign is unclear.
The emblem of the Oan Isles is used on state documents. It comprises the Face of Ahua the Great in the centre, encircled by long form of the name of the country in the Oan language: Te Rohe Rangamarie o Nga Motuere Oa. The Face of Ahua is based on Ahua's shrunken mummified head which was placed in the shrine on the grounds of the Palace of Putangitangi. It is the symbol of the Clan of Ahua and the Emperor of Polynesia. The head is surrounding by a stylised glory to represent the divine favour that lies upon the Emperor, the Royal family and the country. The Lesser royal coat of arms of the Oan Isles that appears on the Royal Standard and the greater royal coat of arms of the Oan Isles also have the Face of Ahua, but are both surmounted by the Grand Crown of Polynesia.
The official motto is Haere me he mutu which is translated to Continue regardless in Staynish. It is thousands of years old and has no known origins. It was used among many mottos and greetings, but the earliest mention was a pictograph on a tablet that alludes to the concepts expressed by the motto: to persevere in the face of adversity despite the challenges one might face or the misgivings one might harbour. The motto can be seen on the Royal standard and arms of the Oan Isles.
Royal coat of arms of the Oan IslesThe National animal is the Spix’s Macaw (known in the Oan language as Makao Rakau or Blue Macaw). This animal is sacred to the Mauist religion and killing, or smuggling one is a criminal of fence. All Spix’s Macaws legally belong to the Emperor of Polynesia and they have been given as gifts to the most outstanding Oans and the closest foreign heads of state. The bird is believed to be the form in which Maui came to Ahua the Great.
The National Tree is the silver tree fern (known in the Oan language as Ponga). The tree's cultural significance also comes from a Mauist legend that it entangled its roots around a great evil and sealed it deep within the ground and it will escape at the end of the world to sow havoc on all the Urth. Most Mauist scholars believe that the story is a myth. Nevertheless, as discussed in the flag of the Oan Isles paragraph, the silver fern is a powerful symbol of unfolding and growth.
The National Anthem is actually not a song, but an Oan Traditional war chant called a haka that Oan soldiers would say before going into battle. The Anthem is based on a poem and its title comes from the first line: Te Tama me te Moana which means The Boy and the Sea. The chant is a ballad about Ahua the Great, the founding of the Oan Isles, the Annunciation of Maui and the royal line. The Royal anthem is Oa maakaki o te Rangitanga-o-te-Moana (Heaven bless the Emperor of Polynesia).
The National flower is the pink orchid.
Holidays
Holidays are special days designated by the Rangitanga-a-te-Moana to commemorate or celebrate a historic event or theme. The Council of Ministers may designate the day as a no-working day (except where it is impossible or impractical for work to stop). Holidays are designated using the Oan lunar calendar called Maramataka (Oan Lunar Calendar (PLC)) while the global date is given according to the International Standard Solar Calendar (ISSC) and the official date is given in bold:
Day | Oan translation | ISSC Date | PLC Date | Note |
---|---|---|---|---|
Oan New Year's Day | Whakanui o te Matariki (Celebration of the New Year) | May-July | Whiro Pipiri (1 Pipiri) | Start of the Oan Year |
Thaer's Day | Harikoa o te Atea (Day of the Creator) | 15 August | Here-turi-kōkā (August) | |
Prophet Matilda Day | Harikoa o te Whakakitenga ki te Poropiti Matiriha (Feast of the Revelation to Prophet Matilda) | 3 September | Mahuru (September) | |
Maui's Day | Harikoa mo te Panui o Maui (Feast of the Annunciation of Maui) | November-December | Māwharu Hakihea (11 Hakihea) | Celebration of the announcement by Maui to Ahua leading to the Thaerisation of Polynesia |
Summer Celebration Day | Harikoa o te Raumati Raumati (Feast of the Summer Solstice) | December-January | Ohua Kohi-tātea (12 Kohi-tātea) | |
Ahua's Day | Harikoa o te Koroneihana o Ahua (Celebration of the Coronation of Ahua) | March-April | Ōrongonui Paenga-whāwhā (27 Paenga-whāwhā) | National day of the Oan Isles celebrating the crowing of Ahua the Great and the formal establishment of the Oan Isles |
Religious holidays are called Harikoa (Feast) and secular holidays are called Whakanui (Celebration).
References
- ↑ Terrorist Takeover in Latianburg. The East Pacific Forum. https://forum.theeastpacific.com/terroist-takeover-in-latianburg-t3525-s15.html (Please note that parts of this have been retconned).
- ↑ Al Jeehad in Yor. The East Pacific Forum. https://forum.theeastpacific.com/topic/7009064/ (Parts of this have been retconned)
- ↑ Lambertus VII Invites You. The East Pacific Forum. https://forum.theeastpacific.com/topic/7009182/3/ (Please note that parts of this have been retconned)
- ↑ A Rising Starikov. The East Pacific Forum. https://forum.theeastpacific.com/topic/7005265/ (Please note that parts of this have been retconned).
- ↑ The SEPC Arcadia Security Council. The East Pacific Forum. https://forum.theeastpacific.com/topic/7009316/ (Please note that parts of this have been retconned)
- ↑ A Call to Arms. The East Pacific Forum. https://forum.theeastpacific.com/topic/7009172/ (Please note that parts of this have been retconned).
- ↑ Aurora Theatre of War: Xagrurg. The East Pacific Forum.https://forum.theeastpacific.com/aurora-theatre-of-war-xagrurg-t3497.html (Please note that some elements of this have been retconned).
- ↑ Rahua, Tipene. 2017. Conference on the Auroran Union. https://forum.theeastpacific.com/auroran-union-t3513.html#p186617
- ↑ In Defence of Peace. Nov 2017 - Jan 2018. https://forum.theeastpacific.com/in-defense-of-peace-t3553-s45.html
- ↑ Mending Wounds. Dec 2017 - Jul 2018. https://forum.theeastpacific.com/mending-wounds-t3626.html
- ↑ Gems Shine Better Free. Aug 2017 - Oct 2017. The East Pacific Forum Topic. https://forum.theeastpacific.com/gems-shine-better-free-t3520.html
- ↑ Lucim, Imani. 2017. Al Jaheed hacks Cafe Net. https://forum.theeastpacific.com/oan-news-t3208.html#p180044
- ↑ Oan News. 2021. Celebrating Oan-Morstaybishlian Scientific Cooperation. https://forum.theeastpacific.com/oan-news-t3208-s90.html#p242570.
- ↑ Morstaybishlian Broadcasting Corporation. 2021. THE GREAT SEED REPOSITORY TURNS THREE - HOW MORSTAYBISHLIA AND THE OAN ISLES ARE PIONEERING SCIENCE. https://forum.theeastpacific.com/mbc-t3205-s120.html#p242580
- ↑ Oan News. 2021. Oan Scientists invent new Solar technology. https://forum.theeastpacific.com/oan-news-t3208-s90.html#p242766
- ↑ Oan News. 2017. New Zoo opens up! https://forum.theeastpacific.com/oan-news-t3208-s90.html#p242766