Kashmir

The Kingdom of Yibram​

Colour: Gold (Core), Tan (Reach)

Government: Elective Monarchy, where the leader is selected from a cadre of religious figureheads in the nation by their peers. Currently ruled by Absame III.

Language: Yibri Somalian (A Somalian Dialect)

Religion: Yibri Judaism (Judaism, albeit with a slightly stronger focus on supposedly magic rituals inspired by Shamanism and Animism)

History: The Yibri, though their origin is unknown, are believed to be descended from Israelites who fled Palestine and migrated through Arabia into Africa. While in OTL, the Yibri peoples settled in Somalia, in this timeline they were driven even further south by war like tribes. Eventually, they settled in Nacala, and the city grew to be a port as the Yibri turned to trade rather than war to keep their rivals away. The largest port city to the south, they often bring exotic African exports to Axumite and Indian markets. Over time, they have settled much of the surrounding area, as well as settling northern Madagascar, though not without some grumbling from the tribal locals. As Islam does not exist just yet, the people are still predominantly Jewish. I can add more details if needed.

Core Lands: The Southern Jewel, Nacala, and the surrounding area between the Messala and Zambezi rivers, as well as the northern portion of Madagascar.

Reach Lands: The remaining top third of Madagascar and more lands south and north of Nacala.

Neighbours: Some Madgascarian natives, angry with Yibri incursions, have banded together under the "Feather King of Madagascar" south of the Yibri settlements (violet). The Great City of Zimbabwe and Somali tribes are also in their respective areas.

Military: The Yibri are merchants, not fighters, and have a very minor military because of it. What armed forces they do have, however, are much more organized and efficient than their more tribal neighbors. The real jewel of the Yibri is their Flatships, wide, double flat-decked boats intended for slow open sea travel while carrying plenty of cargo, rather than the typical fast-moving coastal ships of the time. These ships cannot defend themselves easily, though theu can carry a large number of troops, and the Yibri have constructed a substantial navy because of it.

Trade, particularly of the maritime variety, is the lifeblood of the Kingdom of Yibram. The city of Nacala is a bustling trade hub, it's streets and harbor always bustling with foreigners and their exotic goods. The main exports from the kingdom are similarly exotic, consisting mainly of ivory, gems, exotic furs/feathers, and various other minor luxuries. All major trade routes of Yibram stem from the Southern Jewel of Nacala.

Brown-The African Road between Yibram and Axum is the trade route least used by the merchants of Yibram, who prefer to travel by sea. It is mostly used by the poorer merchants who cannot afford ships and must travel by foot or horse through treacherous Somali lands, or by the rare pilgrim on his way to Aksum or Israel.

Light Blue-The most traveled of Yibram's trade routes, the naval route between Axum and Yibram was essential to both the kingdom and the city of Nacala's formation. Imports from Axum are typically rare minerals, and occasionally incenses used by the Yibram people in their religious rites.

Purple-The direct naval route between the various Kingdoms in India and the Kingdom of Yibram is only possible because of their Flatboats, who are able to slowly but surely make their way across the open ocean without sticking to the coast, as long as they are properly supplied. These Flatboats are a common sight in the ports of southern India, and trade their exotic goods for gold or spices.

Pink-On occasion, merchants from Yibram, after resupplying and selling some of their goods in India, continue onwards to Indonesia. These trades are often profitable, the only concern being the complete distance from their homeland. Braver still are the merchants who only stop in Indonesia to continue on further, to lands in China such as Great Sung.

There are many differences between traditional Judaism and the adapted version followed by the peoples of Yibram. The majority of the customs not taken from Judaism itself have been adopted from the various Animist faiths in Africa, particularly of the Somali tribes the Yibri are descended from.

Respect for the Natural World
One of the more prevalent ways that the two faiths have mixed is the fact that the Yibri show far more respect for the earth, animals and their tools, such as their Flatships. Though never going so far as to say other life has anywhere near the soul of a human, everything in nature is used with respect, and large undertakings using the earth's natural resources often involve blessings and rituals. In more recent years, however, the Yibri's respect for their planet has begun to fade away as the nation has begun to focus heavily on trade, taking resources for personal gain rather than neccessity. Great hunts on the fringe territories, where the less mercantile Yibri still live, and great logging endeavours or mining projects are still showered with the correct mix of Animist respect and Jewish ritual.

Chants and Dances
Traditional Animist chants or dances are often practiced by members of the Yibri Jewish hierarchy, though it is not enforced. The chants use traditional Hebrew words, or phrases lifted from the Old Testament, though they are often somewhat modified by the Yibri language. These chants and eclectic dances are frequently performed to bless voyages, trades and the rare military venture, with incenses and a reading from scripture also included.

Bar and Bat Mitzvahs
When a boy reaches age 13, or a girl reaches age 12, their Bar/Bat Mitzvah ritual is held. Once the ritual is complete, they are seen as adults in the eyes of the law, old enough to wed, join the clergy or (in the case of males) join the military. The ritual is, in essence, the same as traditional Judaism, but has a slight addition for the Bar Mitzvah.

Before Yibri boys become Yibri men by reading from the Torah, they have an additional task they must complete: a succesful big game hunt. Often, the selected game is a rhino, elephant or leopard, but the rare sea-oriented youth chooses to hunt a whale at sea. The hunt must be completed by no more than three individuals, and the other two must have completed their Bar Mitzvah's but be near the individual at work's age. Lately, some of the wealthier merchant familes of Nacala have taken to replacing this grand hunt with trade. The youth of these familes must sail from home to a distant land, and return with a certain amount of wealth or goods for their honor.

Ashkir, Animal: A Lion
Nacal Ashkir and his son, Bahdoon Ashkir, are credited as the founders of the Kingdom of Yibram. Nacal led the Yibri to their homeland, and Bahdoon founded the electoral monarchy and the city of Nacala. Those two kings are remembered for their bravery and ingenuity, while the later reign of Nacal II is mostly forgotten. The house went extinct after the death of young Nacal II.
Kings: Nacal Ashkir, Bahdoon Ashkir, Nacal II Ashkir

Jeyte, Animal: A Hyena
Jeyte was the second house to have a King of Yibram elected, and is currently the greatest house in the nation. They additionally boast the largest count of kings, boasting five to most other families' one or two. The Jeyte are considered the nations greatest warriors and generals, and many are remembered for their skill on the battlefield even if they were not kings. Most of the family is descended from one of Nacal Ashkir's daughters, and claim a stronger "right" to rule because of it. Most Jeyte rulers have been rash and impulsive, but have yet to lead a unsuccessful campaign. To this day, most Yibri commanders come from the Jeyte family, and they are they provide the majority of the smithing for the nation.
Kings: Absame Jeyte, Absame II Jeyte, Absame III Jeyte, Shido Jeyte, Tolum Jeyte

Olwa, Animal: An Elephant
House Olwa was the third family to ever produce a ruler of Yibram, and he served the nation well. People of Olwa are often shrewd diplomats and stewards, with an excellent eye for detail and a mastery of internal democracy. Many from the family have served as valuable royal advisers, inspecting and bringing forth official documents and legislature. They are also frequent explorers, eager to make new friends on the world stage. The first national trading fleets to reach India, Tarumangara and China were all led by an Olwa captain. Despite these various feats, some consider the Olwa to be cowards who do not respect Yibri tradition. In fact, they are seemingly eager to adopt new customs from foreigners, and no Olwa has ever looked to find a fight, whether it have just cause or not.
Kings: Loko Olwa, Yakob Olwa (Current)

Yarum, Symbol: A Menorah
The Yarum family is the only major house in Yibram to not have an animal as it's family symbol. Instead, to match the nation's traditional piety, they use a menorah. Both Yarum kings of Yibram have had piety at the forefront of their minds, and both brought it great things. The first Yarum king, Habane, is the individual primarily responsible for the creation of Yibri Judaism as a separate entity. His son Kaafi Yarum, was the first to send Yibri missionaries around the world, introducing the religion to the globe. Cautious and intelligent, the Yarum family has the largest number of rabbis of any other house, yet they do not abide nepotism. Most within their house view justice and fairness to be extremely important, and thusly follow what they think is right for the nation, not their family.
Kings: Habane the Pious, Kaafi Yarum

Mire, Animal: A Whale
The youngest major family of Yibram, the Mire are predominately merchants. Their own palace looms over the foreign market near Nacala's Great Harbour, and many of the ships within said docks are owned by Mire family members. Though they have hosted only one king, Mursal the Merchant, the family is integral to the economy of the nation and of Nacala, as they bring in much of the international trade. The family is also unique in one surprising fashion: individuals who have served the house particularly well may be offered the chance to adopt their name and enter the family, rather than the name being simply hereditary. Though some would call the Mire greedy due to their prevalence in trade, most of their family are exceptionally artistic, clever and kind.
Kings: Mursal the Merchant

Tundan, Animal: A Rhinoceros
Despite the Tundan family being as old as the Jeyte and Ashkir, they have never had a king of Yibram elected. Part of this is due the family's very nature; most of them are isolated traditionalists, and they are the only major family with no true presence in the capital city of Nacala. They stick proudly to the ancient tribal ways and follow most of the ritual aspects of Yibri Judaism much more precisely. Many "civilized" Yibri see them as primitive and wonder why they are considered important at all, forgetting the reasons; the Tundan history and Tundan wealth. Daskar Tundan was the Yibri seer who instructed Nacal to lead the people in a great migration, and served as the first king's adviser and eventual father-in-law, earning the family great respect. The Tundan also control many of the Kingdom's gem mines in the hills, as well as the sale of the elephant ivory their family hunts almost exclusively. The family has begun to show a greater presence at the Rabbi's Council, however, and will likely see one of their own elected before long.
Kings: None