Code of Nemequene

Purpose

The code was a pseudo-legal guide that compiled the people's cultural norms into punctually re-enforced laws.

Document Structure

Clauses

Part of the code is targeted at regulating moral behaviour such as dishonesty or sloth. There are only about a dozen laws listed as offenses punishable through repudiation and social exclusion. The consequences of breaking most of them was death:

incest

sodomy

rape

adultery

robbery

warriors' cowardice

drunkenness

References

Nemequene installed an excessive code based on the traditions and customs of the third quadrant people. They were prepared, reformed and enforced according to Nemequene's whims in the latter half of his reign.

Legal status

The code is purposeful harsh and did not forgive its ignorance as an excuse.

When Zipa Tisquesusa succeeded his uncle, he was able to roll back his predecessor's harsher edicts. Regardless, the code established rules of inheritance, behaviour, protocol, obedience, submission and tribute that continue into the Third Quadrant's written laws.

Historical Details

Legacy

Before Nemequene, the honey people wrestled with their rivals in the desert mud and consumed their honey conservatively. After his death, and his code's enforcement was considerably relaxed, a great many indulgent practices came into being.

In a decision of collective spite, the whole of the valley went against Nemequene's strict ideals for his people and became much more decedent.
Seemingly inspired by the forced housing clause, honey marriages became more accepted.
In an effort to prove resilience, fighters wrestled in honey. Though I'm not sure what that had to do with anything?

— Swinger Orianka

Read the Document

Code of Nemequene

1. Who were unmarried, were sentenced to death.
   • In the case of being married, they would be dishonoured by forcing their wife to publicly live together with two men.
2. Who were caught dancing were sent for a day and a night to Sumag Wagta Ch'in.
3. Who were thieves were sentenced to be stabbed with burning sticks.
4. Who had loitered or otherwise disrespected little lake were exiled to the towers.
5. Who had defaulted on debts were forbidden to use fire.
6. Who had killed a bee were crushed to death.
7. Who had shown to be a coward in war were forced to wear women's clothes and perform the tasks of women.
8. Who had produced unapproved alcohol were drowned in it.
9. Who were ordinary people were not allowed to wear expensive clothes or jewelry.
10. Who had addressed a member of government informally were fined.
11. Who had left their wives during pregnancy labours, and if she died, were ordered to pay off her family.
12. Who had committed incest with his mother, daughter, sister or niece, would be entombed in a bug-infected, water-filled pit until dead.

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Type

Decree, Royal

Medium

Oral Tradition / Word of Mouth

Location

Hananhallpa

Authors

• Nemequene

Signatories (Organizations)

• Third Quadrant