Masvinga Empire

Written by Seal44

The Masvinga Empire is one of the most powerful forces in the Green Sahara, second only to the D'Mani Empire perhaps. While D'Mani is centered around Lake Chad, the Masvinga Empire controls the Maghreb Sea, a smaller - but nevertheless enormous - lake to the west. While its eastern counterpart derives power from natural resources and trade, the Masvingans rose to prowess through military force and strategic dominance.

Structure

The Masvinga Empire is ruled by a king, the current one being Mrqasr III, who also functions as a high priest. The system of succession is not as simple as the monarch's son replacing him - instead, it is generally the king's nephew who is crowned, if applicable. This may seem strange, but a similar system was used in the Kingdom of Kush in our timeline. Hierarchically below the king, there are "viceroys" who head certain regions, each one tasked with a certain reponsibility (e.g. overseeing diplomacy, trade etc.).

Assets

The Masvingan army is even larger than the D'Mani Empire's one, though not as powerful navally. With a manpower of over 89,000, it is perhaps the most formidable military force in the Green Sahara. There are dozens of garrisons dotted across the Masvinga Empire, and some divisions even have tame war elephants - the pachyderms abound in the Maghreb region, especially to the north.

History

The Masvinga Empire was founded when a mysterious ancient state (known simply as proto-Masvinga or pre-Masvinga) waged a 14 year war against powers to the north, and eventually won. Proto-Masvinga conquered the territories and became the empire it is today.

Demography and Population

The total population of the Masvinga Empire is about 445,000, with roughly two thirds being descended from people conquered by the original Masvingan state. Roughly a fifth of the population are soldiers in the army, of which most are from the conquered lands. The average birth rate is 28 per 1,000, while the death rate is 17.

Territories

Masvinga controls much of the coast of the Maghreb Sea, including all of its eastern shoreline. The total area of the empire is about 794,000 square kilometres, of which approximately 102,000 once belonged to pre-Masvinga, before any conquering occurred. The rest were claimed following the Masvinga-Datumo War, but - after over a millennium - have accepted their new rulers and do not need to be forcefully controlled.

Military

The Masvinga Empire's military forces are very impressive, to say the least. There are over 89,000 soldiers in the army, significantly outsizing that of the D'Mani Empire, despite the latter nation being more populous. They typically fight with iron weapons, especially curved swords and daggers, and also spears with characteristic leaf-shaped blades. Shields and sheaths are typically made from the hide of elephants or hippopotami, hardened in the case of the former. Elephants are also used as formidable war mounts, and are a sort of "trademark" of the Masvinga Empire.

Religion

The Masvingans have a monotheistic religion, where the one god is Nkala, a gender-neutral being (often represented as a giant turtle) who dwells at the bottom of the Maghreb Sea, the great lake which Masvinga rules. Nkala has two personalities - one is benevolent and giving, the other vengeful and spiteful. When Nkala's benevolent form dominates, Masvinga experiences times of plenty, while when their darker side is more prevalent, crops fail and conflict breaks out. To appease the vengeful Nkala and bring back his good personality, the Masvingans sacrifice scythebeasts in his honour.

Foreign Relations

There have been several wars between the Masvingan and D'Mani Empires, and - given the power of both forces - usually end up leaving neither nation a victor. However, the two empires are currently at peace, as the D'Mani have realized that they can profit greatly through trade with the Masvingans. The Masvinga Empire's relations with the third-largest civilization in the Green Sahara, the Kingdom of Naktata, are more tenuous, as the latter was at war with Masvinga only a few decades ago.
The only group the Masvinga Empire is really fighting currently, however, are tribes of cattle-farming nomads living beyond the border, who feel more and more that Masvinga is blatantly taking their land (and they're not wrong). While vastly outnumbered, the pastoralists are wily and experienced in guerilla tactics, and have killed many Masvingans in their raids.

Founding Date

252 P.D.

Type

Geopolitical, Empire

Alternative Names

Masvinga

Demonym

Masvingan

Government System

Monarchy, Theocratic

Power Structure

Autonomous area

Economic System

Barter system

Currency

None