Sabatangan Proposals and Ideas

Terminology

Suku Pedagang - The collective of the eight original tribes that inhabited the region surrounding the modern Free City of Sabatangan. Used to described the collective of the tribes before their unification in ~950 VTE. Suku Pedagang would include members of the eight tribes who are not residents of Sabatangan.
Sabatangan Tribe(s) - The collective of the clans of Suku Sabatangan, which consists of the eight tribes of Suku Pedagang. Used to describe the collective of the tribes after their unification in ~950 VTE. Sabatangan Tribes include only those who are Suku Pedagang AND a resident of Sabatangan.
Sabatangan Tupai - The collective of the Tupai who are born as Sabatangan Citizens, and remain as such. Includes those who are not from Suku Pedagang too, as long as they were born in Sabatangan with at least one of their parents or grandparents being a citizen AND Suku Pedagang. Half-Tupai and Quarter-Tupai are accepted, as long as one of their parents or grandparents is Suku Pedagang and a citizen of Sabatangan.

Suku Pedagang Tribes

In the past the area surrounding the modern day Sabatangan was home to multiple related tribes with a unique shared identity, and their own distinct dialect of the Tupai language. These tribes were together known as the Suku Pedagang, for their complex internal trade politics, as well as their tendency to reach out to the surrounding tribes in order to trade nuts of any kinds. The Suku Pedagang cooperated with each other for the most parts, but not always; Some wars did occur, but these brother wars were for the most part small and stayed relatively "honorable" in their conduct.

The Suku Pedagang tribes that inhabited the area were, in rough order of population size at 800 VTE

Suku Sabatangan
Suku Karungbesar
Suku Berlayarmatahari
Suku Ikanseribu
Suku Kacangperak
Suku Pedatembagang
Suku Banyakicauburung
Suku Manikakik

The most powerful tribe, the Suku Sabatangan, established the Village of Sabatangan during their early history, which by 850 VTE had grown into the City of Sabatangan, the single largest settlement within the Suku Pedagang tribal area. The rest of the Suku Pedagang begun to settle the areas surrounding the city, and one by one were absorbed into the Suku Sabatangan, becoming clans of the Suku Sabatangan. The Suku Pedagang then formed the Tribal Council, with which they elected the first Elder of the Sabatangan Tupai, who in the year 1130 VTE is Elder Dwi of Karungbesar.

Each of the tribes still hold some of their unique cultural customs and old inter-tribal rivalries still exist, but these have shifted to become friendly competition instead of violent conflict. Even still, while the Tupai of Ikanseribu and the Tupai of Berlayarmatahari still hold each other as rivals, they both would agree that they are as Sabatangan Tupai, better than those who arent, and the same applies to the other clans.
Overall the Suku Pedangang are rather unified under their shared identity as the Sabatangan Tupai.

Suku Sabatangan

Builders, Politicians, and farmers

A prideful and noble tribe, named after the Sabatangan Ruins which the tribe used to inhabit, and on top of which the tribe built their city, which in turn was named after the tribe. Historically the largest and most powerful of the tribes, Suku Sabatangan was a sedentary tribe who inhabited the coastal area near the modern day City of Sabatangan. Among the Suku Pedagang, Suku Sabatangan were known for their complex legal system, which is a major factor of how they kept their large tribe organized and relatively peaceful for centuries, and it is on these laws that the modern Sabatangan legal system and democratic tradition is based on.

Hukum Lama Sabatangan - The Old Laws of Sabatangan

In the middle of the City of Sabatangan lay old ruins, and now repaired and rebuilt into a temple-courtroom dedicated to Risu. In the middle of the temple, behind the Altar of Risu, are located five large stone slabs, each 3-5 meters tall, and 1-2 meters wide. On these ancient stone slabs is inscribed the Hukum Lama Sabatangan, an ancient set of laws and guides written in ancient Tupai language, whose origin is forgotten to the modern Sabatangan residents.
Suku Sabatangan has been operating under this relatively advanced legal systemnot of their own making for centuries. The origin of these laws and the stone slabs it is inscribed on is unknown, but the tribals themselves claim that it was given to them by the goddess Risu herself, which is why they have built a temple to the Squirrel goddess around the slabs. The Hukum Lama Sabatangan legal framework gave Suku Sabatangan a functioning judicial system, as well as important legislation, and established the tribe as an early adopter of democracy in the land of the Tupai.

The justice system is one where laws are interpreted by a tribal council formed of the old, the middle-aged, and the young, both men and women, on a case by case basis, after which the tribal council submits their verdict to be judged by the Elder of the tribe, who then with the assistance of priests and priestesses would attempt to consult the goddess to gain wisdom for his judgement. Hukum Lama Sabatangan involves a principle of "Innocent until proven quilty", and the early tribal courts tended to prefer mercy over justice, when dealing with members of their own tribe anyway. One exception to this was the crime of blasphemy which was always punished by banishment to the wilderness outside the Suku Pedagang tribal territory, a near certain death sentence when foreign and domestic raiders still preyed the area.

The Hukum Lama Sabatangan could be considered the very foundation of the constitution of the Free City of Sabatangan as it stands today. The laws are generally considered to be above even the Elder and the government in authority, which means that the Elder's actions are often criticised based on how closely they follow the laws. If the Elder is repeatedbly found guilty of breaching the Hukum Lama Sabatangan, or if their breaches of the law are particularly eggregious, the Elder may even be ousted from power, and a new one be elected to replace them.

Debating the interpretations of Hukum Lama Sabatangan is quite common among the politically inclined residents of Sabatangan, especially since the tradition is to interpret Hukum Lama Sabatangan in the spirits of the laws, not how it has been literally written. This has led to Sabatangan being a hotbed of political and philosophical discussion in the land of the Tupai, as each tribe and perhaps even each tupai of Sabatangan has their own view on what the ancient rules actually mean in any given circumstance. There are however some ideas that are generally agreed to be part of the Hukum Lama Sabatangan, and these include but are not limited to: Property rights, equality between Suku Pedagang tribes and their members, friendly and neutral foreign visitor's rights to their property, friendly and neutral foreign visitors right for just and fair treatment, and the right for any and all members of the Suku Pedagang to be heard when making decisions that affect all of them. Hukum Lama Sabatangan also gives guidance on proper etiquette, hygiene, how to structure a society, how to organize a military campaign, how to treat slaves, and how to build ships.

To most of the world, these guides would not be seen as groundbreaking, or advanced, but to the Sabatangan Tupai they were an important factor in their rise to prominence.

Suku Karungbesar

Nomadic Merchants, Diplomats, and Friends of many tribes

Named after the signature large backpack-like bags the tribe used to carry in its history, and which the clan still makes to this day. Suku Karungbesar used to be a nomadic tribe which traveled around the Suku Pedagang tribal area, trading with the other Suku Pedagang tribes to earn their living. They were the first tribe to be invited into the Village of Sabatangan in the early 800s VTE, and have been close allies of Suku Sabatangan ever since.

Historically Suku Karungbesar were friendly with all the Suku Pedagang tribes, and Karungbesar diplomacy could be considered a major unifying factor between them. It is the invitation of the Karungbesar into the Village of Sabatangan which could be seen as the catalyst that finally unified the Suku Pedagang tribes.

The Karungbesar Bag

Beautifully decorated large backpacks made to be worn by traveling Tupai. It is said that the bags are just spacious enough to fit inside them everything a traveling Tupai may need on the road, including tools, trade commodities like nuts and gems, and food. Some of the Karungbesar bags are large enough to work as sleeping bags when emptied and properly unfolded.
The Karungbesar bags are made from leather, woolen cloth, or plant fiber cloth. They are always decorated with hanging trinkets, beautiful and detailed embroideries, and colourful feathers. The decorations used to be personalized to the point that one could know the exact family lineage of the Karungbesar tribe member based solely on the details in their bag. The modern Karungbesar bags are not even close as detailed.
Whilst originally an exclusive cultural item of the Karungbesar, this style of bag has now spread to be used by other Suku Pedagang tribes, especially during land travel.

Suku Berlayarmatahari

Sailors, Explorers, and Merchants

A proud and noble tribe, named after their fast and nimble coastal ships which could in the hands of skilled sailors travel short distances over open ocean, towards the sunset as the other tribes would see it. Suku Berlayarmatahari were a sedentary coastal tribe who lived some distance north of Suku Sabatangan. The former home village of Suku Berlayarmathari, the Village of Pelabuhanbulan, was razed to the ground by the City of Agra around 900 VTE, an event that is still bitterly remembered by the Suku Berlayarmatahari and their brother clans to this day. It is due to this that from among the Sabatangan Tupai, no one hates Agra with vitriol comparable to that of the Berlayarmatahari; Whenever a the tensions between the Free City of Sabatangan and the City of Agra flare up, it is the Berlayarmatahari who are among the first to take to the streets to demand a new war. Even in the modern day of 1130 VTE, a classic toast of the Berlayarmatahari references the event: The speaker will say "Remember Pelabuhanbulan!" and those he is drinking with raise their drinks and respond with "Tear down Agra and cast the stones to the sea!" before everyone drinks.

Following the loss of their home village, Suku Berlayarmatahari moved into the City of Sabatangan en masse, seeking protection from the larger tribes. Suku Berlayarmatahari quickly became the primary sailors and shipbuilders among the Sabatangan Tupai.
Interestingly enough, Berlayarmatahari have been anti-slavery from even before they moved into the City of Sabatangan, and they have often protested against the slaving practises of the past Sabatangan. The enslavement of Agra Tupai the Berlayarmatahari have opposed for different, less humanitarian reasons; Slavery is too good for Agra, and only the sword will do.

Suku Berlayarmatahari have historically been rivals of Suku Ikanseribu, Suku Sabatangan, and Suku Banyakicauburung, but have since then become close allies of all three.

Berlayarmatahari Exploration

Prominent Berlayarmatahari explorers have in the past sailed north and south the coasts of the Ailivian ocean, but they have not made it far. The furthest location known to the Berlayarmatahari in the northern direction is the Kaisserreich (/kfp/), in the southern direction, the Serene Republic (/nasfaqg/), and directly to the west, Moriji (/morig/). The Berlayarmatahari did not travel to these locations often, but they, and the Sabatangan Tupai by extension, have been vaguely aware of these nations, and of those on the way to these nations, existence for centuries. As is natural, they have usually been the most familiar with the nations closest to them.

Suku Ikanseribu

Fishermen, Pearl and Coral divers

Named after their skilled fishermen. The Ikanseribu were a sedentary tribe that lived some distance to the south of Sabatangan, and on the islands to the west and south of Sabatangan. Suku Ikanseribu had no single centralized village or town, as they lived as a confederation of many small coastal villages ranging in populations of a few dozen to about a thousand Tupai. Most of these villages stand to this day, but are often considered too small to be marked on a map.

Suku Ikanseribu were also boatbuilders, but theirs were small single mast coastal and river fishing vessels. Ikanseribu were known to be expert fishers, and some of the best swimmers in all of Suku Pedagang tribal area. Ikanseribu practised spearfishing and pearl and coral diving just as much as they practices conventional fishing with nets and crab pots. Even though the modern Ikanseribu have intermixed with the other Sabatangan Tupai, and their cultural history and identity has melted together with the rest of the Sabatangan Tupai, they still on average tend to favour work that relates to the sea and fishing. The traditional Sabatangan crab-claw-sail fishing boat is originally an Ikanseribu design which was adopted by the rest of the Suku Pedagang tribes, and many unrelated tribes in the surrounding areas.

Suku Ikanseribu were never invited to the City of Sabatangan, Ikanseribu settlers just slowly over time moved in individually, and sought out each other. This is why majority of the Ikanseribu still live outside the City of Sabatangan, even though they are de facto part of the Sabatangan Tupai, and the Ikanseribu would agree to this.

Suku Ikanseribu are old rivals of Suku Berlayarmahar and Suku Sabatangan, and Suku Ikanseribu. Suku Ikanseribu are long standing allies of Suku Manikakik.

Fishing Songs

Suku Ikanseribu have a long tradition of singing old fishing songs while out at the sea. The origin of these songs is unknown, as is the meaning of the songs themselves, as the songs are in an ancient Tupai dialect no longer spoken by any tribe close to the Ikanseribu and Sabatangan. The songs have survived as oral tradition, passed from father to son and mother to daughter for centuries, changing only a little between generations. Suku Ikanseribu believe that singing these songs calls fish toward them, and quarantees them great catches.

Suku Kacangperang

Mercenaries, Bakers, Tavernkeepers, and Whores

A sedentary tribe who lived on the hills between Sabatangan and modern day Rajabasa. The tribe is named after their nut orchards, as well as their love for shiny metals and stones. Suku Kacangperang have a bloody history working as tribal mercenaries for the more established Suku Pedagang tribes, especially for Suku Pedatembagang. They used to be raiders too, up until 920 VTE when they were invited into the City of Sabatangan following the invitation of Suku Pedatembagang a decade earlier. Suku Kacangperang worked as mercenaries to the City of Sabatangan untill very recently, ending their old mercenary contract in 1060 VTE.
The modern kacangperang are no more bloodthirsty than your average Sabatangan Tupai, and have left their mercenary heritage behing. Instead, the Kacangperang tend to employ themselves as bakers, cooks, tavernkeepers, and sexual entertainers in Sabatangan. The silver and gem trinkets they once wore as proof of their courage in battle are no longer cast from the spoils of war, but from silver earned through honest work.

Suku Kacangperang are historical rivals of Suku Manikakik and Suku Ikanseribu, and close allies and brothers of Suku Pedatembagang, and later on Suku Sabatangan.

Suku Pedatembagang

Wealthy Smiths, Merchants, and Bankers

A sedentary tribe that lived in the area between Suku Kacangperang and Sabatangan. Suku Pedatembagang gained their names from the copper they traded from a number of molesuner tribes and foreign traders. Suku Pedatembagang are historically the best metalworkers in the Suku Pedagang tribal area, and some of the best smiths of Sabatangan are still the sons of centuries old family lines of Pedatembagang copper and bronzesmiths. If not counting Suku Berlayarmatahari at their prime, and Suku Sabatangan, the Suku Pedatembagang were the richest tribe of the Suku Pedagang tribes. They were so wealthy that they did not even have to wage their own wars, as they would use the riches they gained from their monopoly on the local copper market to hire other tribes to do their bidding, namely the Suku Kacangperang, which the Pedatembagang outfitted with their best bronze spears and swords.
Suku Pedatembagang were invited into the City of Sabatangan in 910 VTE.
Suku Pedatembagang had no rivals, but were close allies of Suku Kacangperang, and later on became close friends of Suku Berlayarmatahari as well.

Suku Banyakicauburung

Nomadic Falconers and masters of all things feathered

A relatively small nomadic tribe, named after their tradition of catching and training, or breeding birds for various purposes. The Banyakicauburung have many variations of songbirds meant to be pets and messengers, birds of prey trained for hunting, fishing, and war, and large flightless birds used for various tasks. Not much is known, or remembered, about the Banyakicauburung before their invitation to the City of Sabatangan in 1000 VTE, as the Banyakicauburung did not write, read, or build permanent settlements.
It is known that Suku Berlayarmatahari were rivals of the Baynakicauburung, as the latter used to supply Suku Ikanseribu and Suku Sabatangan with their highly trained messenger and war birds. Suku Karungbesar have stories of Banyakicauburung sometimes working as guards to the Karungbesar traveling merchants in exchange for food. Suku Pedatembagang and Suku Kacangperang have some hisotrical interaction with the Banyakicauburung, both hostile and friendly. Sometimes the Banyakicauburung were found using their trained birds to steal nuts and crops from Pedatembagang and Kacangperanc farms, and other times the services of Banyakicauburung birds were offered to the two tribes with nothing expected in return.

Suku Banyakicauburung were the latest tribe to be invited into the City of Sabatangan, and while most of the tribe came and settled in and around the city, many Banyakicauburung still live outside the City of Sabatangan, living in their old traditional way, although nowadays even the population outside the City of Sabatangan have those among them who can read and write. These disconnected families of the Banyakicauburung often wander outside of the Free City of Sabatangan territory, recently preferring the Central Risu Confederation as their destination of travel.

Suku Banyakicauburung are easily reconigzed for their tendency to dress entirely in clothes made from feathers.

Suku Manikakik

Master Craftsmen and Jewelers

The smallest of the Suku Pedagang tribes. A sedentary tribe named after their masterfully crafted agate bead jewellery and trinkets which the Manikakik have historically sold in exchange for food and protection. Suku Manikakik used to live in a handful of small tribal villages south-east of Sabatangan, close to lands of the Ikanseribu. Suku Manikakik have long traded and worked precious stones and gems, both mineral and organic. Many of the old jeweler families of the Manikakik have keen eyes for appraising precious stones through variety of senses, including sight, sound, touch, and taste.
Suku Manikakik were one of the first tribes to have been invited into Sabatangan, their invitation being sent out in 820 VTE. It is theorized tha the presence of the Manikakik led to the increased influx of Ikanseribu into the city, as the two tribed had been close allies since time immemoriam.

Suku Manikakik were rivals of Suku Kacangperang, and are still close allies of Suku Ikanseribu.

Diadem of Sabatangan

The traditional headband worn by the Elder of the City of Sabatangan, the Diadem of Sabatangan was crafted by a master jeweler of the Manikakik in 822 VTE. Originally the Diadem was made of agate beads strung together with plant fibers, but as the city grew in size and riches, the diadem too changed, and each time it was remade it was remade by a Manikakik craftssquirrel. By 1130 VTE, the Diadem of Sabatangan is made of a copper-silver alloy, and features a large moss agate stone surrounded by four white and four black pearls. The original agate beads are still incorporated in the modern design, in the form of eight golden threads hanging from the diadem, each holding three of the original red agate beads.
The Diadem of Sabatangan is considered one of the national treasures of the city state.

Numbers

At around 1130 VTE

Status: A special economic and cultural zone of the Tupai Confederation.
Official Language: Tupai (Understood by 98.5% of residents)
Common Secondary Languages: Holodhennet (12%), Infinitum (10%), Kat Nol (8%), Moriji (4%), Oiseau (2%),
Official Religion: Risu
Population: Relatively High
Population Density: Relatively Very High
Economy Size: Relatively Large (one of the highest GPD areas in /risu/)
Reident Demographics:

Tupai - 88%
1. Suku Pedagang - 76%
  1. Suku Sabatangan - 16%
  2. Suku Karungbesar - 14%
  3. Suku Berlayarmatahari - 12%
  4. Suku Ikanseribu - 10%
  5. Suku Manikakik - 8%
  6. Suku Kacangerang - 7%
  7. Suku Pedatembagang - 5%
  8. Suku Banyakicauburung - 4%
2. Other Tupai - 12%
  1. Central Tupai Diaspora - 4%
  2. Southern Tupai Diaspora - 2%
  3. Foreign Tupai Diaspora - 2%
  4. Northern Tupai Diaspora - 1.5%
  5. Islander Tupai Diaspora - 0.5%
Ailivian - 8%
1. Kronies - 3.5%
2. Deadbeats - 1.5%
3. Other Ailivian - 3%
Others - 4%
1. Nasfaqgian - 2%
2. Tsukinode - 1%
3. Indieian Other - 0.5%
4. Others - 0.5%

Governance

Sabatangan are and governmed by a Venice-insired governance system, in-universe given to them by the Hukum Lama Sabatangan, and centuries of independent political discovery.

The hierarchy of power is as follows:

The Tribal Council is ultimately the root of power for the Elder and the Court of Sabatangan
The Elder and the Court of Sabatangan share power, with the Court of Sabatangan being slightly more powerful as an entity. However, the Elder alone is far more powerful than any single member of the Court of Sabatangan.
Elder's Cabinet. Cannot make decisions on its own, and is legally dependent on the Elder and the Court of Sabatangan.
The Advisory Council works only as advisors to the Elder and the Court of Sabatangan.

The Elder

Sabatangan Tribe(s) Only

The Elder of the Sabatangan Tribes, elected for life by a citizen election whenever the previous Elder abdicates, dies, or becomes otherwise incapable of rule. All Sabatangan Tupai can vote for the Elder, but only Sabatangan Tribe(s) members can be elected.
The Elder is the head of the Sabatangan Government. He has the final say on the decisions made by the other governmental bodies, but he does not have absolute rule and his decisions are under the scrutiny of the Court of Sabatangan, who can depose the Elder with a 7/8ths majority vote.
The Elder can propose new legislation to be voted on by the Tribal Council.

The current Elder is Elder Dwi, a shrewd businessman and negotiator. He is very popular among the citizenry for his contributions during the Council of Rajabasa, as well as his effective and wise governance up to this point.

Elder's Cabinet

Sabatangan Resident

The Elder together with the Elder's Cabinet is the executive branch of the Sabatangan government, and are thus responsible for enforcing the laws of Sabatangan and the laws of the Confederation which apply to Sabatangan.

The Elder's Cabinet is chosen together by the Elder and the Court of Sabatangan, and comprises mostly of the leaders of various local institutions, such as the Chief of the (Sabatangan) City Guard, and the head of the (Sabatangan) Port Authority, among others.

Advisory Council

Sabatangan Resident

A group of advisors assigned to the Court of Sabatangan and the Elder's Cabinet by the Tribal Council. The Advisory Council has no legal political power, and the position of being an Advisory Council member gives one no benefit other than prestige and the chance to influence the politics of Sabatangan. The only way an Advisory Council Member can directly interact with the decision making progress of Sabatangan is by asking for the right to speak during a Court of Sabatangan or Elder's Cabinet meeting.
At any point, a member of the Advisory Council can be removed with a 1 person majority vote of the Tribal Council, or wth a 2/3rds majority of the Court of Sabatangan.

The members of the Advisory Council often includes foreign businessmen and diplomats who are currently residing in Sabatangan.
One cannot sign up as a member of the Advisory Council, one has to be invited into it either by the choice of the Tribal Council, or by an invite from the Elder or the Court of Sabatangan. In the latter two cases, the Tribal Council will still hold a vote on whether to allow this invite.
Accepting the invite is not mandatory, but refusing a position in the Advisory Council without a good reason is seen as an insult to the City of Sabatangan.

Trustworthy Advisory Council members are sometimes given limited political or legal power, if the Elder, Elder's Cabinet, or the Court of Sabatangan need their services in administering the city on the ground, or when the aforementioned entities need the Advisory Council member to represent them outside of Sabatangan in some form. In these instances, the Advisory Council member is given a document detailing the extent of their temporary authority, and for how long and where exactly they have this authority. The document is stamped with the Seal of Sabatangan, and signed by the Elder and at least 2/3rds of the Court of Sabatangan members.

There is no upper or lower size limit to the Advisory Council. Theoretically it can be empty, or it could have a thousand members.

Tribal Council

Suku Pedagang or Sabatangan Tribe(s)

A elected body of 272 Suku Pedagang or Sabatangan Tribe(s) members. The Tribal Council is tasked with the day to day legislation of the City of Sabatangan, as well as the elections of the Court of Sabatangan. Only those who are part of Sabatangan Tribe(s) can vote in this election.

Court of Sabatangan

Sabatangan Tupai

An elected body of 64 Sabatangan Tupai who are in charge of the administration of the city together with the Elder and the Elder's Cabinet. The Court of Sabatangan as an entity has more power than the Elder, as it can veto the decisions of the Elder with a 3/4ths majority vote.
If the Court of Sabatangan has the Elder's support, they can make decisions with less than a 3/4ths majority (as then, the Elder can just make the choice for them).
The Elder and the Elder's Cabinet are considered to be branches of the Court of Sabatangan. In the event that the Court of Sabatangan has encountered a 50-50 split on an issue, the Elder can vote in order to break the tie.
The Court of Sabatangan can propose new legislation to be voted on by the Tribal Council.
The Court of Sabatangan is also responsible as he judicial branch of the Sabatangan Government.
The Court of Sabatangan is elected by the Tribal Council from among prominent Sabatangan Tupai who have volunteered to the task, and have been members of the Elder's Cabinet, the Advisory Council, or the Tribal Council at least once before.