Marafire



Marafire [ bɑ.ɹʌ.fɪ.le̞ ], officially Tanekera Nekasaru Marafire [ tʃɑ̃.ɲẽ̞.ɡɛ.ɹʌ ne̞.ɡʷɑ.ʃɑ.lɵ bɑ.ɹʌ.fɪ.le̞ ] (Socialist Republic of Marafire, also abbreviated SRM), is a large country on the eastern face of the Kurinefi Mountain Range and bordered by Samasana.

The country is home to one of the world's oldest civilizations, tracing back to the establishment of the Katikati around 1500 BFC. Katikati, the chiefdoms that would eventually become Marafire, were built by the Faarafi, an ancient Rafi race and ancestors of the Re.

The Katikati operated independently of each other, occasionally trading but more often in competition for resources and territory. They were first unified around 1200 BFC by the Council at Miaine forming a technocratic empire called Marafi which lasted for almost 400 years.

Marafi saw the massive and standardized adaptation of developed infrastructure. Less and less of the population were living seminomadic lifestyles foraging from one group of trees to the next, and they began to cluster into communes and cultivate edible plants.

These early communes were interconnected and organized into townships. Each commune was lead by an elected panel of family chiefs that guided the tree forming, defense, and food production efforts. Petroglyphs estimated to be from 900-800 BFC depict entire forests of interconnected branches forming routes between townships. By the end of the 9th century BFC there were metropolises beginning to emerge at Miaine, Tamakatutu, Ketauta, and Muma.

Following the attempted military takeover by Ruranisu Seta nearly three centuries later, the empire went through a series of tribal splits and reunifications. In 666 BFC, the Second Great Council met to create a stable and long lasting confederation. The Council met this time at Seaki, setting it as the capital of a new empire called Marafire in the newly drafted Kisutune Reasa (commonly called Kisutune).

The Kisutune founded a federation of Rafiane Site Marafire allowing free trade and passage between them but maintaining their independence.

Total unification did not officially come until [150ish BFC?] when [some kind of external attack happened] and the Kisutune Seta Reasa (commonly called Kisutune Seta) was drafted to organize a central government and its authority, turning five states into one state called Tanekera Nekasaru Marafire with five provinces.

The government of Marafire is a technocratic socialist republic that includes elements of communism. There is no singular executive authority; instead a division of responsibility is maintained and the various branches of government work together to make national decisions.

Marafire is a middle power, exerting noticable cultural and economic influence on the region.

The past couple centuries have seen slight expansion of the borders, mainly to annex regions already inhabited by Re.

This image shows the current borders of Marafire, and highlighted within those borders is the original territory claimed as Marafire in the Kisutune Seta Reasa.



Name
The name Tanekera Nekasaru Marafire is derived from the phrase "te nekeerasa nekee reasa ru ma rafi re" ("those who act on behalf of the people in the Re's local trees") and translates to "the Socialist Republic of Marafire". It was adopted in the Kisutune Seta, replacing Rafiane Site Marafire (literally "the five official citizenries in the Re's local trees").

History
 Main article: Marafire History 

Prehistory
before 1700 BFC

First Tribal Period
before katikati c1700-1495 BFC

Feudal Period
during katikati 1495-1212 BFC

Imperial Age
during marafi 1213-965 BFC (precipitated by the devastation caused by asteroid?)

Second Tribal Period
965-666 BFC

Federal Period
during five states 666-150 BFC

Republican Age
modern period after 150 BFC

Geography
Marafire covers an area of 7.8 million square kilometers/3 million square miles, making it the third largest country after Acúqúwara and Woobia. It is bordered on the west by the Kurinefi Mountain Range and on the east by Samasana.

Marafire is half-covered in lush tropical forests and swamps in the east. The western half has arid and semi-arid temperate forests and unforested mountains. There are no true lowlands but the southern foothills of Nuesemu and Fune are the least mountainous.

There are few state-maintained routes through Marafire, and those that exist are full of danger and cover perilous terrain. Marafire is extremely mountainous and half covered in dense swamp. This terrain is easily defensible and there has not been a military threat from outsiders in over a century.

Landmarks
There are a number of spectacular waterfalls in the west. The Senani Waterfall is a pilgrimage destination for many natives. The Kakanana Waterfall is between Seaki and Faafa and therefore is very popular with foreigners.

Makaritunu is Marafire's large port city. Over 5% of the population is foreign merchants. Tamakatutu is a southwestern kutune famous for having a permanent resident kuta (terrestrial) population.

Though the Re lack true magical capabilities, there are two locations that hold magical significance to them. The Senani Waterfall and the nearby Blue Light Temple play a central role in the Re creation myth. Sukurusu in Sakiemi also has known magical properties.

Climate
Marafire's climate is diverse, ranging from taiga and desert in the western peaks to tropical wetlands along the northeastern coast. The capital of Seaki, situated right on the equator, experiences a humid average of 32C/90F, while the mountainside city of Ketauta chills at a dry average of 8C/46F.



Administrative Divisions
 Main article: Marafire Political Divisions 

Marafire is divided into five kiane (provinces), each of which contains at least one kutune (city-state). The kiane generally hold most of the political power, with the federal government primarily serving to mediate between them including organizing and facilitating the redistribution of resources.



Within the kutune there are usually 10-30 kutu (communes) where a number of clans live and work together. The size and shape of kutu varies widely across the country. Some kutu have associated kutau.

Marafire has a population of 4,911,972 as of the last census. In the north and west the populace is clustered tightly into the kutune, while the southeast is much more suburban and kutu are spread over large areas with wide and wild uninhabited sections of forest between them.

Seaki, with a population of 492,252 at last census, is Marafire's capital and largest city. It is an economic and cultural center, and is the country's foreign tourism hub.

The country's second most populous city, Ketauta, has a population of 227,188 and is the only kutune in Nutenine. It is considered the capital of western Marafire (a historical division including Nutenine and Nuesemu provinces as well as Kefinisa and Miaine).

With a population of only 23,338 at last census, Faafa is the least populous kutune in the nation. The entire kutune consists of one kutu and one kutau.

Government & Politics
 Main article: Marafire Political Divisions 

The political system of the Socialist Republic of Marafire is based on the Kisutune Seta Reasa of (150ish? BFC). There are five branches of government, as symbolized by the Marafire Flag, built in republican tiers.

Ministry of Society
The Ministry of Society is responsible for reviewing existing laws, writing new laws, and overseeing the economy. The Premier is the public representative of the Ministry of Society and is the only unpaid position in government, making it a position of obligation rather than prestige. The Premier, like every other government official, is elected in a republican process. This position is generally occupied by a well-respected watcher. Foreigners might perceive the Premier as the political leader like a president, but in reality the title holds extremely limited power. The current Premier, Rame Mimikakefe Muremi, is a Kenene from Muma.

Defense Department
The Defense Department includes the collective force of the Kenene and an oversight committee of the most experienced Kenene known as Fifane. The Fifane organizes the thousands of Kenene ensuring there is sufficient traffic along all routes and that defensive forces are strongest where the dangers are highest.

Ministry of the Exterior
The Ministry of the Exterior conducts international trade, arranges foreign exchange, hosts foreign dignitaries, and oversees the tourism industry. The current Ambassador, Nekina Tikanu Kemafu, is the first hybrid Ambassador in SRM history.

Justice Department
The Justice Department is the national court system. These courts operate independently of the local judicial system and serve to mediate disputes between kiane and kutune. The Justice Department is also responsible for overseeing the Ministry of Society and ensuring that legislations follow the Kisutune Seta.

Ministry of Industry
The Ministry of Industry controls production of goods on a kiane and kutune level, redistributes resources as needed, and regulates the production of currency. It works closely with the Ministry of Society and Ministry of the Exterior.

Economy
 Main article: Marafire Economy 

Marafire's economy is a mixture of central planning, state ownership of major enterprises, kutu horticulture, and small-scale private trading and service ventures. The Ministry of Industry is responsible for developing and maintaining the Nefi, which serves as the country's currency. As the kiane have power to engage in individual trade deals, each kiane has its own internal and international economy as well.

Tourism
The past century has seen a notable increase in tourism by both residents and foreign visitors. The current Ministry of the Exterior has engaged in a campaign to increase tourism from eastern countries, including distributing propaganda hailing Seaki as a utopian resort and Faafa as a hub for intellectuals. Alongside the capital, the most popular tourist destinations are Makaritunu, Faafa, and Sakiemi.

Consumables
 Main article: Marafire Industry 

The primary industry of Marafire is the production of fruit and fruit products like wine and candy. Other popular goods include precious metals (especially silver and gold), resin used for waterproofing, and products made from palm weaving like baskets and flasks.

Education & Technology
 Main article: Re Education 

Education in Marafire is decentralized except for the highest level of education. Each kutune is responsible for educating its own youth. Even without standardized education, Marafire continues to produce world famous horticulturists and engineers. About 96% of adults are literate and over 47% of the population is considered fluent in the full logographic script.

Demographics
 Main article: Demographics of Marafire 

Marafire is host to thirteen recognized ethnic groups. There are at least six sapient species but only two currently with official Rafi status.

Ethnic Groups
Ten of the thirteen recognized Rafi ethnicities are directly descended from the founders of the Katikati. The only non-Re officially recognized as Rafi are the Quta of Kuaura.

Infrastructure
 Main article: Re Infrastructure  Marafire is known for its extrodinary arboreal infrastructure, built completely from formed living trees, vines, and natural materials. The Re prefer habitats in swamps and steep mountainsides. Building on the ground is difficult, if not impossible, in these areas and terrestrial tourism is low on the interior of the country. Still, the Re make an effort to be welcoming and accommodating to respectful visitors.

Family Structure
 Main article: Re Geneology