Nakrama

Nkrama, often rendered Nakrama or Ankrama, is the capital city of Okrit and is the nation's largest city.

History

Evidence of a walled settlement on Iga Hill dates as far back as Pre-Ukubian times, however most accounts cite the city as being built in the late Ukubian period shortly prior to the empire's collapse. Local lore attributes it's foundation to the legendary figure of Prince Onkxobe Iga, whom is the namesake of the hill. Most accounts state that Prince Iga founded Nkrama as a personal estate before opening it to settlers fleeing from the civil war. Accounts differ on his allegiances, but they all state that his fortress continued on after the empire's collapse and that it was the last bastion of civilized Ukubian society. Remaining historical documents and archeological finds suggest that Nkrama was actually established as a prison and that 'Prince' Iga was either the local governor, an influential guard or a prominent faction leader among the inmates, however locals dispute this.

Archaeological finds confirm there was a steep rise in population and establishment of nearby settlements during the Ukubian collapse. This influx is the most likely origin of Nkrama's commercial ties throughout Okrit and maintained the cities growth dominance as an independent city-state.

Geography

Nkrama is a coastal city of Onomat, located on the central banks of the Omolai east of the Matlose River. The area around the Matlose river consists primarily of flat wetlands with dense forest vegetation, because of this, Nkrama's urban centre is concentrated on a comparatively dry hill near the easternmost branch of the Matlose River delta, often referred to as Iga hill.

On the southwestern bank of Nkrama's market is a paved plaza area with a tall stone obelisk in its centre. It is commonplace for public announcements and ceremonies to take place here, the obelisk being purposefully carved for usage in public humiliations and executions. A hook-like ledge is carved near the obelisk's peak, where the guilty party is hung from by hands bound with rope, so that they are suspended over the ground in full view of the public. Such hooks are on all four sides of the obelisk.

Culture

Nakrama is considered the epicenter of Oye culture and accounts for a large amount of Oye literature and a heavy influence of Oye law and beliefs. The Nakrama dialect served as the basis of Standard Omolain, which now serves as the working language of the Okriti government. Nakrama's culture is heavily influenced by it's history as an independant merchant state and its old feuds with the other cities along the Omolai.

Amadakle

Amadakle, also known as the 'big river man' is the patron spirit of Nkrama, one of few traditional spirits within Okriti Religion to be considered a 'god'. Amadakle's realm encompassese fertility, prosperity and rain, and he is traditionally held to have control of the Omolai and and its tributary all wetlands and waterways. He is heavily associated with hippos and the melon tree, all of which occur in considerable frequency around Nkrama and the Olowai River. He is often depicted as an overweight, naked man with the head of a hippopotamus. Alongside his dominion over rain, flooding and crop harvests, he also is associated with financial prosperity and mercantile success alongside general good luck.

It is commonly believed that one gains his favour through wise financial decisions, showing respect towards the waterways and hippopotami, as well as the general accumulation of wealth. This association with wealth leads to him to be heavily venerated by Nakrama's noble families, as a sort of spiritual justification of their higher class, making it disrespectful to be of low wealth and poor social standing. The veneration of Amadkle coinsides with heavy social standards around the treatment of hippos. Harming or "being rude" to a hippopotamus is a great taboo and is met with great social isolation and can serve as the basis for the legal prosecution within Nakrama. Violating this taboo can result in a variety of punishments varying in severity depending on the actions taken

Local Law & Government

The governance of Nakrama was formally directed by the Merchant Court

Urban Structure

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Market District

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Obelisk of Punishment

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Noble Quarter

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