Mpaikewuu’akehau’a

Mpaikewuu’akehau’a /ᵐpai̯.cə.xʷuː.ʔa.cə.hau̯.ʔa/ (land of our mothers), also known by it's Akarian rendering - Paikekhu Akehawa is an island located in the Eastern Ocean.

Geography and climate

The island's highest peak, at 192m, is Kuìqa (/cu̯i.kǂa/), a dormant volcano, it is located on the island's western peninsula. It's surface is hilly and uneven. The island is approximately 25.5km² in size.

It's climate is similar to the tropical monsoon climate.

Flora

Much of the islands surface is covered by groves of taakempai trees, which are the only tree on the island. Other plants are small berry-bearing shrubs, flowers and grass.

Fauna

A population of small, mouselike rodents resides in the undergrowth of the taakempai forests, feeding on the small plants there, as well as a number of insect species. Both the rodents and the insects are prey to the ‘antuaipi - carnivorous birds. The fruits of the taakempai trees, as well as other fruit-bearing plants serve as food for the kaapi, small herbivorous songbirds. The pacei, a species of horned ungulates, resembling antelopes and growing to a height of about 70cm, are the largest animal on the island. Despite being quite docile and easy prey, large numbers of them live on the island, due to the natives not being allowed to hunt the animals, unless it is a full moon. The coast is populated by small crabs and lobsters, as well as oysters.

Oral history tells of a larger horned animal, known as the kuìcei. It is described as being twice the size of the pacei, with longer horns and a long tail. It is said to have been hunted into extinction, which is assumed to have caused the restrictions on hunting pacei.

Native population

A small native population of around 400 people live on the island. They are usually short, and have dark teal-green skin and brown or black hair. They are hunter gatherers,using tools made out of animal bone, stone, and wood, as well as pottery made from clay. They do not know writing, as such any native words use an out-of-universe orthography. Their diet consists mainly of foraged fruit and fish, with land animals and crustaceans also making up a considerable portion of it.

Structure

The islanders are divided into three groups, all lead by a wuukeqala'a (mother of the people). The role of the wuuteqala'a is always served by a woman, and she is expected to choose her successor early into her rule, the successor then acting as the wuukeqala'a's aid and trainee. The groups, which are locally referred to as qala'akehau'a (our people), are not typically hostile to each other, and have been known to engage in inter-qala'akehau'a barter trade. The qala'akehau'a do not have a permanent territory and migrate throughout the island often. The three qala'akehau'a are:

'Ampakeqala, currently lead by Wuukeqala'a Kucike'ia
Telipikeqala, currently lead by Wuukeqala'a 'Ianłaasi
Wihi'uta, currently lead by Wuukeqala'a 'Antalantii

Religion

The religion of the Mpaikewuu'akehau'ans centers around spirits of former wuukeqala'a, known as hawuu (old mother). They are believed to look after the members of the group. Kuìqa, the highest point of the island, is believed to be tall enough for the hawuu to hear those who speak while on it's peak, therefore many venture there to pray, ask for good luck or leave offerings for the hawuu.

History

It is believed that the population of Mpaikewuu'akehau'a arrived to the island about 600 years ago, but it is not known from where. Oral history tells of the ancestors arriving in "large bowls made out of wood". The travelers took the boats apart and used them as shelter, not realizing that the island had no suitable materials to make new ones. Over time the wood of the boats rotted away, leaving the soon-to-be Mpaikewuu'akehau'ans stranded on the island.

In 16 PC the island was discovered by the Akarian Scouting Force.