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Bill: OOC: Cultural Protocols for Sekowo (WIP)
Details
Submitted by[?]: Saiken Renmei
Status[?]: passed
Votes: This bill is a resolution. It requires more yes votes than no votes. This bill will not pass any sooner than the deadline.
Voting deadline: February 3735
Description[?]:
| This bill is created in order to protect the Sekowan culture from radical and unrealistic changes, in conformity to game rules (cf. http://forum.particracy.net/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4374). CULTURE Sekowo’s culture is largely based on that of the Ryukyu Islands, primarily the Ryukyu Kingdom and the Okinawa Prefecture, with a large number of pre-Columbian Mesoamerican, primarily Mayan, influences, as well as some Chinese and other East Asian influences. BRIEF PRE-GAME HISTORY The first recorded events in Sekowan history are represented by the old Orinco civilization, based on RL Mayan civilization, which flourished in antiquity. Sekowo was first unified under the Orinco-led Tsekwon Empire, which lasted until 589 when the Empire collapsed into a number of independent kingdoms and city-states. In the 13th century most of Sekowo was conquered by the Empire of Gao-Soto (RL Medieval Japan/Imperial China), until Gao-Soto was conquered and colonized by Luthori and Sekowo again entered a period of disunity. The nation was again unified under the Kunihito (Japonic) Kingdom of Sekowo (based on the Ryukyu Kingdom) in the 17th century, which was to last until 1875. During the Kingdom of Sekowo the nation was brought under the colonial control of Egelion, and the colony was later transferred under the control of Rildanor. In 2193 Sekowo gained its independence as the Union of Sekowo. ETHNICITY Sekowan = Ryukyuan people Kunihito = Japanese Gao-Showa = East Asians Orinco = Mayans Shinjalans = Amerindians Sécowonnais = Francophone Metis people Klikut = Inuit Kazulians = Scandinavians Solentians = Maltese & Greco-Roman ~Percentages of the Population~ Sekowans = 61% Orincos = 16% Sécowonnais = 7% Other Shinjalans = 5% Other Gao-Showans = 3% Klikut = 2% Kazulians = 2% Solentians = 1% Other = 1% *Please note, these numbers, while not stagnate, should not fluctuate wildly. Large demographic changes should only occur with an extensive RP, and consent of all involved. The Sekowans constitute the dominant ethnic group in Sekowo. They are a subdivision of the Kunihito (Japanese) ethnicity, which is itself a part of the Gao-Showa (East Asian) meta-ethnicity. Sekowans are based on the Ryukyuan people in culture and appearance, and most are adherents to the Sekowan version of Kamism (Shinto), which is based on the Ryukyuan religion, and to Cheng Daenism (Mahayana Buddhism), as well as to Guidao (Taoism) and Jienism (Confucianism). Unlike other Kunihito (Japanese) peoples, Sekowans also have heavy Indralan (Chinese) influences. The Orincos are the largest ethnic minority in Sekowo, which was in antiquity the cradle of Orinco civilization. Orincos are based on contemporary Mayans, and most speak the Orinco language (Mayan languages). Most Orincos adhere to Orinco Polytheism (Mayan Religion), although many also practice Kamism (Shinto), Daenism (Buddhism), or Hosianism (Christianity). Orincos belong to the Shinjalan ethnic group, which includes other ethnicities based on RL pre-Columbian Mesoamericans. The Sécowonnais are a mixed ethnic group, a legacy of Sekowo’s colonial history. They are based on various RL Metis groups, and they speak Canrillaise (French) and related languages. Most Sécowonnais adhere to Hosianism (Christianity), and many also adhere to Kamism (Shinto), Daenism (Buddhism), or Orinco Polytheism (Mayan Religion). The Klikut are a small minority in Sekowo, and they are distantly related to the Orincos. The Klikut are considered a part of the Shinjalan ethnicity. LANGUAGE Sekowan language = Ryukyuan languages (mainly Okinawan) Kunikata = Standard Japanese Orinco = Mayan languages Tsekwon = conlang (http://particracy.wikia.com/wiki/Tsekwon) Shinjalan languages = Mesoamerican languages Canrillaise = French Klikut = Inuktitut The most widely spoken language in Sekowo is the Sekowan language, a member of the Gao-Indralan language family and closely related to Kunikata (Japanese). Sekowan is usually considered a dialect of Kunikata, and thus is used mostly in informal contexts, while Kunikata is the official language and the language of the upper class and the academia. Classical Kunikata (Classical Japanese), the lingua franca of Dovani during the Middle Ages, is sometimes used as a language of prestige and higher learning. Orinco is the largest minority language in Sekowo, and it is the primary language of the Orinco ethnic group. Other Shinjalan languages are spoken by their respective ethnicities. Tsekwon is the classical language of the Orinco people, and besides its role as the liturgical language of Orinco Polytheism it is sometimes used as a language of prestige by the Orincos. Canrillaise and related languages are spoken by the Sécowonnais people, a legacy of the colonial period in Sekowan history, although most Sécowonnais are now fluent in Kunikata, with Canrillaise restricted to informal contexts. The Klikut speak the Klikut (Inuktitut) language, although its use is in decline in Sekowo, as most Klikut now speak Kunikata. RELIGION Kamism = Shinto Daenism = Buddhism Cheng = Mahayana Guidao = Taoism & Chinese Folk Religion Jienism = Confucianism Orinco Polytheism = Mayan Religion Hosianism = Christianity Theognosian Church = Roman Catholic Church The most widely practiced religion in Sekowo is the Sekowan version of Kamism, based on the Ryukyuan Religion. Sekowan Kamism differs from the mainstream version of the religion in numerous aspects, primarily the belief in the spiritual superiority of women. Other Gao-Showan (East Asian) religions are all practiced in Sekowo, and owing to their non-exclusive nature, they are usually practiced in syncretism. In spite of this, most Sekowans, while to a large extent identifying with one or more of the Gao-Showan religions, do not hold any form of religious beliefs; religious affiliation is more a matter of culture and occasionally participation in religious rituals. Thus it would be safe to state that most Sekowans can be classified as Atheists/Agnostics. Orincos mostly adhere to Orinco Polytheism, based on RL Mayan religion. Orinco Polytheism has a large pantheon of gods and heroes, and a central aspect of the religion is sacrifice, including blood sacrifice. Hosianism is a religion founded in 1 CE which believes Eliyahu of Yishelem to be the Spirit of God and the Saviour of mankind. The largest Hosian denomination in Sekowo is the Theognosian Church, based on the RL Roman Catholic Church. Most Hosians in Sekowo belong to the Sécowonnais ethnicity. NAMING Characters should have mostly Ryukyuan and Japanese names, with a small number of Mayan, French, or Ainu names. It is recommended that party names are in Japanese or one of the Ryukyuan languages. |
Proposals
Debate
These messages have been posted to debate on this bill:
| Date | 15:50:22, July 21, 2014 CET | From | Saiken Renmei | To | Debating the OOC: Cultural Protocols for Sekowo (WIP) |
| Message | Since Sekowo never had Cultural Protocols, it would be a good idea to protect Sekowan culture this way. How do these look? |
| Date | 13:43:20, July 22, 2014 CET | From | Sons of Maxisan | To | Debating the OOC: Cultural Protocols for Sekowo (WIP) |
| Message | I am good. |
| Date | 00:10:25, July 23, 2014 CET | From | 帝国公明党 (Teikoku Kōmeitō) | To | Debating the OOC: Cultural Protocols for Sekowo (WIP) |
| Message | While I did create the flag based on the Ryukyuan flag, I don't think the Japonic population has ever actually had anything to do with them, I've always just treated it as a group gnerally based on the Japanese, but not carbon copies and with distinct (though not existentially massive) differences. As to the demographics, while things have changed (especially when those jack-asses took over and I left for awhile), I think the above is by to much and does'nt take into account all the groups. Using the last census we did as the base and then extrapulating from there for the changes I'd say the religious, linguistic and ethno-racial demographics are closer to this; Religious: Atheist/Agnostic - 30% Buddhism - 25% Christianity - 15% Islam - 8% Shinto* - 7% Others - 15% *That is as a specific religion as opposed to the common practice of treating it as a cultural belief and incorporating it with other religions. Racial: Japonic - 50% Caucasian* - 20% Amerindian** - 13% Mixed - 12% Black - 4.2% Other - 0.8% *This would include the Franco-Norman Sécowonnais, the remnants of the Greco-Roman population, the Nordic population (who would be the plurality of Whites) and smaller White minority ethnicities. **This would include a large variety of groups including the Orinoco, the Kli'kut (who're meant to be a hybrid culture with North Amerindian and Ainu attributes), Mixtec, Miztec and several other groups, including the Teotana (the indigienous people of the State of Teoitan) and Sa'li'shan (the indigenous people of Cho'kun) which I left right before I was gonna write the wiki articles for. Linguistics*: Sekou-go** - 51% English - 24% Franco-Normand - 12% Amerindian languages - 11% Other languages - 2% *This would be mother languages, the population most likely is significant majority bilingual, which would lead to the total language speakers for all of the above being higher by various amounts. **The Japonic dialects. |
| Date | 13:16:35, July 31, 2014 CET | From | Saiken Renmei | To | Debating the OOC: Cultural Protocols for Sekowo (WIP) |
| Message | Well, some of the words there are names of RL ethnic and religious groups, so they certainly need to be updated. Also, I think having the Sekowans be Ryukyuans would be interesting and fit with the cultural specificity of Sekowo, such as the matriarchal nature of the Ryukyuan religion having a parallel in the matriarchal Sekowan political system, for instance. And since the Ryukyus were historically a crossroads between Chinese and Japanese influences, that can also be applied to Sekowo, with its geographical location between Gao-Soto and Indrala. I also don't think there's any cause for having a large number of Caucasians in Sekowo; the only group that would fit this definition are the Sécowonnais, and they are mixed race and haven't been RPd much anyway. |
| Date | 09:33:19, August 01, 2014 CET | From | 帝国公明党 (Teikoku Kōmeitō) | To | Debating the OOC: Cultural Protocols for Sekowo (WIP) |
| Message | The Greco-Roman minority would be as well as the Nordics, who have been part of the cultural mix since we established the original cultural groupings. |
| Date | 11:29:46, August 01, 2014 CET | From | Saiken Renmei | To | Debating the OOC: Cultural Protocols for Sekowo (WIP) |
| Message | The Greco-Romans were renamed as Orincos at one point, and were redefined as half-Greek half-Mayan. I think it doesn't really make sense to have a Majatran group be so prominent in a Dovani nation, and the Orincos should be fully defined as Mayan. The Greek parts of the early IG Sekowan history can more easily be explained as a result of the Aretist regime, founded and led by Solentian parties; Solentia had a Greco-Roman culture at one point and now seems to be moving towards a Maltese culture with Greek and Arab minorities, so it would still be sensible to interpret the Hellenic aspects of Sekowo as a small legacy of Aretist rule. Other than that, I see no reason to maintain the Greco-Romans as a significant minority. Mind you, I did play as a Greek party during my first few centuries in Sekowo, so it's not like I have a personal bias against Greeks in Sekowo; it's just that I don't think it's reasonable to have a lot of them here. The Sørna may have been introduced as a group in Sekowo when the culture was originally defined, but apart from the legislature once being called Folkstämma, there was never, to my knowledge, any RP that involved them, so I'd favor removing them altogether. If you want, we can have a small Kazulian minority, justified by the relative proximity of Kazulia. So how's this for the ethnic breakdown: Sekowans = 61% Orincos = 16% Sécowonnais = 7% Other Shinjalans = 5% Other Gao-Showans = 3% Kli’kut = 2% Kazulians = 2% Solentians = 1% Other = 1% (The Shinjalans would include all the Amerindian groups in Sekowo). As for language, there really is no reason to have English as a large minority language. Sekowo was never conquered or colonized by Luthori or any other Anglophone country. And Normand seems to be here solely because of the Normand Pluralist Party, and I'd suggest getting rid of that aspect. In what concerns religion, I'm not sure about having such a large number of Atheists/Agnostics as a separate category, as due to the nature of East Asian religions, one can have no belief in divinities and still participate in one or more religions. Instead, I prefer to have a much smaller group of Irreligious people, referring to those that do not participate in any religious activity or identify with any religion, irrespective of their personal beliefs. Also due to the nature of Taoic religions, it's easier to group them all together as a demographic category, as the boundaries between them can be very blurry or even outright irrelevant. Also, why would there be so many Ahmadis/Muslims in Sekowo? If you really want to have some here, I'd rather go for something like 1-2%, definitely not 8%. |
| Date | 04:42:17, August 02, 2014 CET | From | 帝国公明党 (Teikoku Kōmeitō) | To | Debating the OOC: Cultural Protocols for Sekowo (WIP) |
| Message | In regards to the Greco-Romans I was thinking they were now a very small minority (0.5-1%) that's one of those cases where, despite being small, people remember they exist more often; the Sørna were meant to be a group of people related to the proto-Kazulians who migrated to the North-East long ago; incidentally, if you note I've always included alteast one Minister based on them; as to not being present in RP, well think about it, how often do we actually RP, and even then, it's usually only with a few characters, though some of the people married into the Imperial Family in the past were White, it's just I originally did'nt include all the children of the reigning Empress for awhile in the chart and thus for the first few generations they're missing. As to language, you know, I don't even really remember why we had English as a major mother tongue, I mean it should remain as a fairly large second language, but yeah, greatly reducing it (say to 1-2%) I can agree with; as to Norman, well it's basically supposed to be that it was a quasi-dialect of French that the Rildanorian settlers who came to Sekouo in the 'Colonial Era' spoke and propogated from there, like for example how certain groups came to U.S. IRL that were minorities in there own country but came to grow in America; I would note to that I did do some RP with people from the Norman group and their actually still is a Norman Noble Family indigenous to Sekouo. In terms of religion, well remember Sekouo has never supposed to have been a normal country, yes the Japanese-based people are East Asian, but they're not supposed to be typical, that and considering that Secularism and being precise in demographics has been a thing for so long and you can see why I differentiate them; as to the Muslims (we really should not be using the word Ahmadi to refer to Muslims, since the Ahmadi's are a sub-group of Muslims, and a group that does technically exist in the game), originally it was immigrants from countries with those populations, but when Medina fell I figured there would have been a large exodus of them, especially when you consider the Medina Muslims were actually different from others in that they were more Universalist (that is they consider the differences between Sunni and Shi'a to be meaningless divisions sowed by malcontents), though I would'nt oppose reducing it to 5-6%. |
| Date | 04:44:26, August 02, 2014 CET | From | 帝国公明党 (Teikoku Kōmeitō) | To | Debating the OOC: Cultural Protocols for Sekowo (WIP) |
| Message | Additionally, to be honest I'm not comfortable with the whole Orinoco thing, I mean yeah they've always existed, but I don't see why they'd be such a large minority in the country, especially since IIRC they were originally something primarily present in Lourenne and the area south of it. Incidentally, are we doing this for Sekouo proper, or the whole Empire, because if the latter than there are alot of other groups to be included as well. |
| Date | 17:52:19, August 02, 2014 CET | From | Saiken Renmei | To | Debating the OOC: Cultural Protocols for Sekowo (WIP) |
| Message | Ok, I guess we can include Norman as a dialect for the Francophone Sekowans, but we do need to find anew name for it. My argument on religion is partially based on the way the Gao-Showans are represented in other nations. Sure, none of the Gao groups is a carbon copy of a RL group, but the religion aspect is pretty similar to the RL situation. So I assume that a large number of technically non-believers would still participate in Kamist or Daenic rituals related to the major events in one's life. Also, all religions that had RL names have been renamed in PT; Ahmadism is the new name for Islam (http://particracy.wikia.com/wiki/Ahmadism), derived from the name of the PT equivalent of the Islamic Prophet, Ahmad. It is not supposed to be related to RL Ahmadiyya, it just happens to have the same name. If we are to include a significant number of Ahmadis, then we'd also need to have more or less the same number of Kālam people (http://particracy.wikia.com/wiki/K%C4%81lam), the main ethnic group in Medina. The large number of Orincos is based on this bill: classic.particracy.net/viewbill.php?billid=295620. Sadly, the new cultural protocols of Lourenne make no mention of the formerly important Mayan and Mixtec populations, so I'm afraid Sekowo is the only place they are still around. This bill is for Sekowo itself, we can make a new one for the colonies if you want, but afaik Moderation can only protect the culture of nations themselves, not colonies. |
| Date | 17:48:07, August 03, 2014 CET | From | 帝国公明党 (Teikoku Kōmeitō) | To | Debating the OOC: Cultural Protocols for Sekowo (WIP) |
| Message | On religion, well IRL it's an issue of perception, for example, while it's true that in Japan many people take part in Shinto rituals and stuff this is similar to how in the West Irreligious people continue to celebrate Christmas and Easter, they're essentially holidays and traditions that, while having a religious, have become part of the secular culture; additionally, when asked the large majority of Japanese (ranges from 70-85% depending on the study) state they do not have a religion nor believe in anything particular. As to the Orincos, well, I suppose first off let me say that this game has allowed people to change established cultures in the past way to easily (IIRC Talmoria has changed like 6 times), but I suppose it can't be helped. I suppose a somewhat higher number we could explain as a mass exodus from the places they used to officially exist in, though I'd suggest they only be around 10%. On the topic, could we perhaps change it so the recent events were'nt done by Orincos, but by a small extremist minority of another group that just called itself Orincos, because honestly it makes little sense for them to suddenly change like that plus the stuff that guy was doing was basically based on the Aztecs as opposed to the Mayans of which the Orincos were based on. |
| Date | 20:15:34, August 14, 2014 CET | From | Saiken Renmei | To | Debating the OOC: Cultural Protocols for Sekowo (WIP) |
| Message | Ok, I guess we can increase the number of irreligious people in Sekowo. It would probably be best not to give a breakdown of percentages though, as the answer to that question can vary greatly depending on how it's phrased, particularly in an Eastern Asian-based nation like Sekowo. Orincos have always been quite relevant in Sekowo afaik, though. When they were half-Greek half-Mayan they ruled over half of the country during the last civil war, and there was quite a large genocide against them the previous time I played here, so I think 16% of the population wouldn't be much of a stretch. And while the RP conducted by Opak has more similarities with Aztec culture, RL Mayans did on occasion practice human sacrifice. Moreover, their extremist attitudes as of late make sense as a reaction to my own party gaining power |
| Date | 16:53:03, August 15, 2014 CET | From | 帝国公明党 (Teikoku Kōmeitō) | To | Debating the OOC: Cultural Protocols for Sekowo (WIP) |
| Message | Phrasing is important yes, especially when it can lead to contradictory results, for example in Sweden, where most estimates put the non-religious (defined as Atheists and Agnostics for the following cases) in the 60-70% range, yet something like 90% of the population responds as Lutheran/Christian and even those who don't believe in a deity tend to dislike being labelled Atheists, likewise in France you have a situation where of the portion of the population that identifies as Catholic, 25% of them also report they don't believe in a god of any sort; in this case, and really what I think what ought to be done in real life in addition to general religion questions, the questions would be; 1. What religion if any do you identify as? 2. Do you believe in a god(s) or spiritual life force or not? (with boxes for each of the three) |
| Date | 16:57:19, August 15, 2014 CET | From | Saiken Renmei | To | Debating the OOC: Cultural Protocols for Sekowo (WIP) |
| Message | Ok, so how does this sound for religion: "The most widely practiced religion in Sekowo is the Sekowan version of Kamism, based on the Ryukyuan Religion. Sekowan Kamism differs from the mainstream version of the religion in numerous aspects, primarily the belief in the spiritual superiority of women. Other Gao-Showan (East Asian) religions are all practiced in Sekowo, and owing to their non-exclusive nature, they are usually practiced in syncretism. In spite of this, most Sekowans, while generally identifying with one or more of the Gao-Showan religions, do not hold any form of religious beliefs; religious affiliation is more a matter of culture and occasionally participation in religious rituals. Thus it would be safe to state that most Sekowans can be classified as Atheists/Agnostics." |
| Date | 14:37:27, August 16, 2014 CET | From | 帝国公明党 (Teikoku Kōmeitō) | To | Debating the OOC: Cultural Protocols for Sekowo (WIP) |
| Message | In the case of women, honestly the only reason the Imperial Family is female-line is because the founder was a woman and something about women retaining more genetic information than men over generations. Actually, that's one of this games major issues, we've had 21st century technology and society in this world for nearly 2,000 years. As to the religious aspect, I guess so, though the percent of the population actually identifying with a religion, even when not actual believers, still should'nt be really high. |
| Date | 18:33:33, August 22, 2014 CET | From | Saiken Renmei | To | Debating the OOC: Cultural Protocols for Sekowo (WIP) |
| Message | Yeah, I know that, but I think that having the Sekowan religion be more matriarchal fits really well with the female-line nature of the Imperial Family. So I updated the bill in light of this debate. How does it look now? |
| Date | 15:43:23, August 29, 2014 CET | From | 帝国公明党 (Teikoku Kōmeitō) | To | Debating the OOC: Cultural Protocols for Sekowo (WIP) |
| Message | Give me a few days to come-up with a detailed response; I've been busy with work and a sort of addictive new game that's sapped my free time. |
| Date | 13:54:40, September 16, 2014 CET | From | 帝国公明党 (Teikoku Kōmeitō) | To | Debating the OOC: Cultural Protocols for Sekowo (WIP) |
| Message | Ok, I know I said a few days half a month ago, but I promise I will get that response done...just don't know when. |
| Date | 14:23:25, September 16, 2014 CET | From | Saiken Renmei | To | Debating the OOC: Cultural Protocols for Sekowo (WIP) |
| Message | No probs, take your time. |
| Date | 14:09:37, September 24, 2014 CET | From | Saiken Renmei | To | Debating the OOC: Cultural Protocols for Sekowo (WIP) |
| Message | Since the Ainu are already present in the game as the Utari (http://particracy.wikia.com/wiki/Utari_Mosir http://particracy.wikia.com/wiki/Utari_language), and since the word "Kli'kut" doesn't fit within Ainu phonotactics ("L" doesn't exist in Ainu, and consonant clusters are nearly non-existent in the language), I suggest they be redefined as having an Inuit culture and language. How does that sound? |
| Date | 18:07:05, September 27, 2014 CET | From | Saiken Renmei | To | Debating the OOC: Cultural Protocols for Sekowo (WIP) |
| Message | I figure this has been in the debate section long enough, and since the content of the bill is in line with how Sekowo was RPd so far, I'm putting this to vote as it is. |
| Date | 18:28:54, September 27, 2014 CET | From | Saiken Renmei | To | Debating the OOC: Cultural Protocols for Sekowo (WIP) |
| Message | And once again, I forgot to remove the WIP. |
| Date | 08:56:37, September 28, 2014 CET | From | 帝国公明党 (Teikoku Kōmeitō) | To | Debating the OOC: Cultural Protocols for Sekowo (WIP) |
| Message | The Kli'kut are'nt actually Ainu, they're meant to be an amalgam group with no real world equivalent, basically 30% Ainu mixed with 70% North American Indian. |
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Voting
| Vote | Seats | ||
| yes |
Total Seats: 555 | ||
| no | Total Seats: 0 | ||
| abstain |
Total Seats: 145 |
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