Independent Nbahlari

This article is about the ancient city-state in Senlin. For other uses, see Nbahlari (disambiguation).

Nbahlari (Ancient Hlāvang^[1]: /nba’ɬaɾi/, Hegēni-Athala: /βala:ri/) was an important Hlāvang city-state, located at the site of the modern Abahrin^[2] , in the centre of the Oka’e crater on the northern coast of Senlin bay.

The city dates back to Mgiti’s conquest of the Abari Peninsula in the late 17th century, when the mythical founder, Atal, settled it with his twenty companions^[3] . It was an important trading post for many years, until its destruction in the 33rd century by Ekal-otominto^[4] , but was subsequently rebuilt to become the religious capital of the Society, Abahrin, in the modern Hlāvang state.

Sketch of Nbahlari, 21st Century

Physical Layout

Situated in the centre of the 20km wide Oka’e crater on Atal island, Nbahlari was unique in both its architecture and location. Due to the lack of useable farmland, as well as the largely maritime lifestyle, most people lived in family boats or pontoons. Ancestor Mtivang writes^[5] ;

“A city atop the water [...], gem of the crystal sea, not on man-built land as Athalassã, but floating freely. [...] The city seems to disappear during the day, as the men and women set off to trade or forage on the shores, but life returns with nightfall, with the coming of the markets and traders.”

During the 22nd century, extensive efforts were made to flatten parts of the island in order to support more homes and an influx of refugees from the Kalada valley; these efforts were spearheaded by Sea-king Ayayin^[6].

Society and Culture

Like most Hlāvang cities (Mgihyidin, Ehleriden, Ngoda) the Elehwa, the High Priestess, was responsible for religious and state matters. Her powers included (but were not limited to); elevating caste, disbanding and reforming families, state executions, festivals, recording and organising the spirits’ wishes^[7]. Tablets from 24th century Athalassã give specifics, stating that:

“The Elehwa commands absolute power, although in matters of trade or commerce she relies upon a council of Sea-kings - they themselves being the heads of their respective families - for their expertise. She consummates with each Sea-King in a ritual dating back to Atal and the first settlers.”

Sea-Kings, known as Eb-ifawa Aveto in Ancient Hlāvang, were a highly respected rank in Nbahlari, and were second only to the Elehwa. Modelled after the Athalassãn’s merchant government^[?]. They were elected members of the most important Hlāvang families, intended to represent their family’s interests and relay information to the Elehwa. Like modern Hlāvang culture, Nbahlari’s people were polygamous, with some men taking up to a hundred brides. When the man of the house died, his wives would choose one boy to become the man of the house, and thus inherit them as his property; in highly respected families chosen by the Elehwa, this man of the house then became the Eb-ifawa Aveto.^{[citation-needed]}

Nbahlari had a rigid caste system, with little opportunity for social mobility. Much like today, it also had a strict name taboo, with the names of ancestors being strictly prohibited in polite conversation. As such, important families were numbered to indicate their arrival in Nbahlari, with the largest and richest families generally being the lower numbers.^[8]

[1] Tuttara Scrolls, 5th edition, page 22

[2]A history of the Hlāvang coast and its peoples, page 596

[3]Wow, I can't believe it's not Abahrin, 22 minutes in on the left hand side of the screen

[4]The Otominto Wars, page 1

[5]Mtivang

[6]RIP Kalada; an obituary, page 💯

[7]The Elehwa

[8]So, you're in a double digit family -- how can you be successful?, page 24