OOC Note to Host: This is basic info for the race that I am hosting. The Banija General Info should not be graded, as that was written long ago and is simply copied & pasted for different tournaments that I host. The Hawabark portion is original and should be graded for RP bonus purposes. Thank you!
Banija General Information
The Kingdom of Banija is a country that classifies itself as a semi-constitutional monarchy. A nation that is freshly a member of Atlantian Oceania, it is led by the Kabaka(which translates to King), and the current monarch is Kabaka Mwanga. The Kabaka, alongside with the Waziri(translates to Foreign Minister), whom he picks and dismisses solely at his pleasure, is the Head of State and responsible for the country's foreign affairs. Upon reaching age 25, the Isebantu(Crown Prince), becomes the Waziri by constitutional right. The current Isebantu is Isebantu Mutungi. The full list of members of the Royal Family can be found here.
Kabaka Mwanga ascended into power after the assassination of his father, Kabaka Albert III during World Cup 82 Qualifying. This is, of course, a government with an elected element. The elected unicameral legislature is the Lukiiko(Parliament), and the Lukiiko is responsible for governance of domestic affairs. The Katikkiro(Prime Minister) is elected by the Lukiiko. Currently, there is an elected right-wing coalition that holds a majority in the Lukiiko and rules the country. The present Katikkiro Is Kobe Aziri.
Due to the massive influence of Puritan Mormonism in this nation, they are relatively socially conservative. Abortion in this country is outlawed unless the mother's life is in danger, and polygamy for males is legal. The church's Universal Call to Motherhood, which teaches that the destiny of each and every woman is to give birth to children and raise faithful Puritan Mormons, has heavily shaped the nation's view on the role of women in society, forming the basis for Banija's prior sports gender segregation laws in the first place. Consumption of alcohol and the recreational use of marijuana in Banija is legal. Due to Mormon tradition, however, the purchase/sale of coffee products is illegal within Banija- however, the consumption is not. Fans and teams an ddelegations are allowed to bring in their own coffee products as long as they are declared at customs, where it is then taxed per pound. Any attempt or effort to sell the product, however, can and will result in arrest.
Most people in the country speak both Olusanke, the local dialect, and English. There is a smattering of Korean spoken within the country, thanks to Banija's Quebecois roots. Banija's currency is the shilling. The exchange rate to the NationStates Dollar is 200 shillings to 1 NSD. Conversion kiosks will be available at all hotels and at airports to exchange your money, as well as any banks. However, using the NSDs directly to purchase items is only guaranteed at stadiums and hotels- vendors outside of stadiums or hotels are not required to accept NationStates Dollars. Fans are also advised that street vendors will only take cash, according to Banijan law- as an issue of security to prevent against credit card theft.
Of course, Banija is on its way to developed country status. This is thanks to a recent discovery of large oil deposits in Hangaza, there is movement within the country on building better infrastructure. There has been heavy investment in Istria's public transportation system by the Regional Transit Corporation in the leadup to the games, with better roads and systems being built. One of Banija's unique public transit systems within cities is via the boda boda. The climate of Banija has a lot of natural rainforest and jungle, which means that there is no winter, only wet season and dry season. Temperatures generally range at their coldest around 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and at their hottest around 110 degrees Fahrenheit. For the duration of the Games, average high temperatures will range from 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Banijans have a tendency of being relaxed about time. While, of course, things like flights and matches will run on time, this is something that is observed generally, especially at restaurants. It is considered standard to arrive about 15-20 minutes late for a restaurant reservation, which is something Banijan authorities would like to make note of for travelling fans and visitors to the country for this tournament. This is very true for hangouts with Banijans, dates, weddings, etc... Within the country.
In terms of food, Banijans are very heavy meat eaters, and you'll find plenty of chicken, goat meat, beef, pork, and turkey options on your localized menus. In terms of non-meats, popular staple foods are jollof, matoke, Chapati, a rolex, and samosas. Strictly vegan restaurants within the country, outside of Istria and Busukuma, are almost non-existent, though of course you'll find non-meat options everywhere.
Hawabark Information
The City of Hawabark is the country's 15th largest city, with a population sitting right around 400,000 people. It is a landlocked city that is located within the country's interior, sitting as just the fourth largest city in the Buganda Region, a region that is not generally known for its population.
It is known to Banijan historians that this city is the site of the 'Battle of Hawabark', one of the major battles of the Banijan War for Unification, in the year 1611. The War for Unification was essentially a crusade by the now dominant Kasanke ethnic group, to spread their brand of Mormonism throughout the country. As they fought their way south, they encountered major resistance in a number of cities, including this one. This was the final major battle before the decisive battle for Busukuma, where the Unification war was finally one and a new capitol city was established.
Public transportation is A-grade in this city, ran by the Regional Transit Corporation, the corporate sponsor for the RTC Hawbark Classic. While there will be no ability for foreign fans and athletes to earn a temporary driver’s license and drive themselves around, an extensive subway and bus system will help people get around the city. Boda Bodas will also be available throughout the city.
The City is traditionally known as the spiritual home for track & field(internationally known as athletics) within the country. The country's qualifiers for both the Commonwealth Games, and the Olympic Games, are held in this city. Collegiate and professional national championships for the sport are generally held in this city. While this is something that has 'always been done', the reason that this city somehow became the showcase center for Banijan Athletics, is simply because of the sport's popularity in the city and surrounding areas. It's probably the only area of the country where the most popular sport isn't gridiron or association football- but this individual sport.
That is why, when the ability to host events at this tournament came up, it was an opportunity that the Olympic Committee of Banija was pretty much forced to take up. Despite the much larger and glitzier Olympic venue in the much larger and coastal city of Istria, tradition and history won out over the money chase. The surrounding Buganda Region is known for being fairly well spaced out. It is the least 'suburbanized' region of the country, with the vast majority of the region's population living either in urban centers or in rural areas. Ergo, safaris to see any of the Big 5 animals are quite popular in the region.
Venue
Hawabark Olympic Stadium
With a capacity of 17,800, it is not that large of a stadium- but it is a stadium that brings both the noise and the energy to the competition. It is considered a 'rite of passage' in athletics competitions in Banija to be able to race here- the Hawabark Olympic Stadium has long been associated with success, with the vast majority of major track & field events in the country being held at this stadium. Its lone full-time tenant, however, are the Hawabark Boulders. The Boulders played a season in the Shango-Fogoa Premier League, the joint three nation top-flight soccer league(Banija/Farfadillis/Busoga Islands), although they currently compete on the second tier of Banija's soccer pyramid.
Despite its name, this has never been an official Olympic Stadium. It is a name given to the stadium as it is most famous for hosting Banija's Olympic Qualifiers. Banija's actual Olympic Stadium is the Istria Olympic Stadium.
