Republic of Shanai
Culture
Shanai's culture is founded on the ideals of caring for one's neighbors like family, strong social bonds, and the joys of a life worth living.
Perhaps to the shock of those from outside the islands, Shanin people do not view property as belonging to solely the person in possession of it, due to an intense sense of community. Shanin culture dictates that no person should go without, and so if a person is in need, there is a moral obligation to give assistance and shelter even at a personal cost. Food, by far, is the most commonly shared item, with locals known to cook extra servings for the sole purpose of sharing with their neighbors. It is also incredibly common for people to share their homes, treating their neighbor's own as if it was their own and to come and go as they please. This is due to the frequency of storms and disasters on the islands, where a person's own home may have suffered damage, and so it has become ingrained in their culture to not ask questions why, but give others what they need in the meantime until they are back on their feet.
Food has incredible importance in Shanai's culture, with traditional dishes having changed little over time making up the majority of people's diets. Red meat is uncommon, due to limited space for livestock, instead the primary protein in people's diets being made up of fish, paired with simple breads and fruits such as pineapple, coconut, bananas, mangos, guava, and starfruit being the most common. Shark and rays are also commonly on the menu, with as much of the animal being utilized as possible. Wasting food is not common, as anything that spoils before it is eaten is generally used as fishing bait or repurposed into fertilizer at community compost gardens.
Shanai has a diverse nightlife, due to a high population of Vampires and Blood Demons, and so the city rarely sleeps with many shops, attractions, and activities being open at all hours or closing in the afternoon to only reopen again later at night. Most festivals and holidays will run well into the next morning as a result, allowing all residents to participate.
Unlike many areas that are definitively in the rule of the gods, Shanai has a rather peaceful relationship with the Solar Dragonflight, who have many members living on or around the islands. Many dragons aligned with the Solar Flight who live in the nation typically align themselves politically with the country, but hold onto the cultural beliefs of their flight, being considered outsiders to most of their mainstream kin.
History
The Republic of Shanai was founded from the human era State of Hawai'i that segregated from the United States of America due to its past colonization. An illegally claimed territory, Hawai'i used to rise of the dragons and hardships on the mainland in order to regain its independence as a fully autonomy nation once again, establishing its own government, laws, trade networks, and statutes. Unlike many colonies that adopted a stance of isolationism with their new independence, Hawai'i became a key player in global trade as a pit stop for ships and sailors, bolstering their economy with trade to Asia and other pacific nations.
Hawai'i became known as Shanai, The Boar Islands in Common (False Dragontongue), due to the god of fire Vega relocating to the island chain along with his cult. Hawai'i's people welcomed the god, using his power as protection from other members of the pantheon and other nations alike for few would dare to attack a major god directly, or the people under his protection. Over time, Vega symbolically became the God-King of the nation, a figurehead of all the island's workings and politics.
Foreign Relations
Shanai is dependent on trade for much of their source of meat, due to limited space on the island, and due to trade negotiations, has good relationships with many Asian countries such as Japan, China, Kora, and Polynesian islands.
A long history predating the era of dragons has soured relations between Shanai and many of the States to the east, and trade there is uncommon.
Infrastructure
Due to techniques taught by Fire God Vega and the Cult of Fire, the vast majority of the nation's stone infrastructure is built from igneous rock and cooled lava. Many areas of the capital city are paved with cooled lava flows, flattened and sized to form streets, roads, and access paths. Although homes with basements are uncommon on the islands, most underground structures, foundations, and walls are constructed by holding lava in place until it cools in the desired shape.
Maps
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Shanin Islands
Founding Date
6263
Type
Geopolitical, Republic
Capital
Alternative Names
Shanai, The Shanin Islands
Demonym
Shanin
Leader
Head of State
Head of Government
Government System
Monarchy, Constitutional
Economic System
Mixed economy
Official State Religion
Parent Organization
Subsidiary Organizations
Location
Official Languages
Related Ranks & Titles
Controlled Territories
Notable Members
Related Ethnicities
Related Myths
Comments