Zeitgeist Magazine, Issue 7, Volume 7, 10 July 300 AP

Zeitgeist Magazine, for the story behind the news

Issue 7,
Volume 7,
10 July 300 AP

The Story behind the news.

Economics
Manufacturing's new Tiger-companies
Capital controls - the time has come

Election 300
Angorit meets with Areopatré
Electorate profile: Navoomi

Politics
Cruisian Democrats experience in Nystonia
Law reform

International Armatirion: Sleeping Giant
Independence for the Kingdom of Elafites and Zufites

Sport
Golf: Aretesuna and Penneton's massive success
Football: Luka v Utan Krysaror, could violence break out?

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Electorate Profile: Navoomi Travelogue

The city of Navoomi is overshadowed by two towering monoliths: the Crux Olaj ("God's Peak") mountain, which towers above the city some 3km, and the palace of the

Navoomi is the name of Savana state's capital city as well as the electorate

Emperor Areopatre, which stands some ten storeys tall. This reflects the truth about Navoomi: they are constantly reminded of their faith in the overwelming presense of God, and of the Emperor who rules over them, whose family has lead the Savaj people for over a millenia.
And so describes the Savaj living in the Navoomi electorate. It is a place buried high on the western side of Utania's peaks, between 1500 and 3500 metres (4500 and 11000 feet) elevation, somewhat separated from the rest of Utania. It is bitterly cold in winter, reaching temperatures as low as -30 C, but bright, sunny and mild during the summer months, reaching peaks of 25 C in parts. Survival against the cold is paramount, yet the small mud brick houses, and significant amounts of fur clothing have kept the Savaj warm for the three millenia they have lived there.

The people make their living from farming in the lower lands, keeping goats and long-haired cattle, or from cottage industries such as making clothes or pottery. There is some industrialisation in the Savaj capital Navoomi, but very little, as the western

Savaj are poor takers to commercial goods and even poorer workers in factory environments.

The capital city is littered with churches showing the high devotion to the Cruisian God. Typically, at least two Sabbaths a month are spent all day in devotional prayer and fasting, while a typical day would involve an hour of the same some time during the day, and is typical outside the city too. It is a highly spiritual place, but not necessarily "religious". There is no enforced regimen, only a culture which prizes highly devotion to prayer and good works.

Private ownership is typical in the land, but such is the overwhelming belief that everything belongs to God, that uncharitable notions accompanying capitalism's "private ownership" are unknown, and considered terribly "uncruisian". Therefore,

Village in the semi-highlands, about 6000 ft

it is normal to be invited into the home of complete strangers, for a meal and a place to stay, but it is also considered normal that one would therefore share your belongings, particularly consumable ones, such as provisions, and your time, in helping with the chores about the village or community. To decline is considered a great affront, but one the Savaj are quick to forgive in non-Savaj, particularly Uta-Decashi (non-Utani).

The Savaj Empire
With such charity and hospitality, it is hard to imagine these people once ruled the entire of modern Utania and much of South Bay until the plague. When the Utani tribes, descendants of one man, Pethonis, divorced eachother and ruled separate kingdoms. Internicene wars were common. One such war began after a famine in the Savaj Kingdom forced the people to move downhill into Chiquiti and Kanhara, in what is now northern Utani B'yan state. Unwelcome and persecuted, the Savaj King despatched an army of thousands to rescue his people and to force the recalcitrant "brother kingdoms" to be more "Cruisian" and charitable. This lead to the formation of the Savaj Empire, the last dynasty of which rules the Savaj and Viranese to this day. And rather than acting as a overlord and tyrant master for the other tribes, the Savaj Empire was one of the most civilising influences on the Utani in all history, ending a thousand

years of wars and tyranny, establishing a social and commercial structure and helping the Utani to expand worldwide, to colonies such as Gvonj, Ptica and other Meridic Ocean islands, as well as Embassies and trade relations with the cream of pre-plague kingdoms and Empires.

With this in mind, it is not difficult to understand why the Savaj have such faith in their rulers.

<Tech>For those still searching for a parallel to earth, think mountain kingdoms with heavy spirituality, think Tibet or Nepal</Tech>

Electorate
Therefore, what sort of voters are the Savaj of Navoomi electorate? According to the Utanian Electoral Commission, not really much at all: it appears some 80% of the electorate have submitted "Vote Transfer" forms that will hand to their tribal Chiefs, or the Emperor, the right to vote on their behalf, and the other 20% will probably vote the way the Emperor or Chief dictates. While critics, such as Utani Progressive Party leader, James Angorit, say this allows an absolute monarchy to exist within the borders of a democracy, it was the people of Savana that insisted on this right. At this stage, the pro-royalist, and pro-traditional Kingdom Utani-Saedaj Party (USP) are likely to collect at least two of the three Navoomi seats in parliament, with the cruisian-values Peoples Party collecting the rest.

Navoomi is a monarchist, traditionalist and very religious electorate, and the eight hundred thousand residents wouldn't have it any other way.

Related Articles:

Angorit meets with Areopatré
Previous Editions:

Election 300 Special

Savaj give away their votes

Most recent Poll: Luka Herald

Previous issues:

So what, the President likes golf?

Stock Exchange:

Stocks continue to stagnate - when will the Govt. release cash controls?

What IS a Zeitgeist?

Jerman for "Spirit of the Age". In this case it is to mean the "spirit" of the Utanian people, the magazine reporting the people's thoughts behind the press-releases and reported news.