Kalahani – Wooddijan J

Ambassador: Maddie Reuschling.2
Kaleigh Bryden

Grace Gothard
Mitch Johnson
Djordje Marcic

       Kalahani is an island community that was discovered by a group of mainland fisherman hundreds of years ago. They moved here with their village for more opportunity and resources, while also separating themselves from the other fishermen, who were doubting their deity (the sea goddess Calife). They believed that Calife had shown them the island as a blessing and to escape the non-believers. They named themselves the Kalahani from the Latvian word for fish, kala. They set up a small tribal system on the island, and whenever the fish were plentiful the population grew. They became expert fishermen, carving intricate and beautiful boats as a tribute to their goddess. The women learned how to cultivate the land and provide fruitful harvests for generations. Originally, boys were taught to fish by their fathers, and girls farmed with their mothers. Men formed a leadership council, because they had constant, but limited, contact with mainland tribes. Women led through healing because of their vast knowledge of the island plants. The community gathered for food and social interaction every night, sharing fish and harvests between them. They held large bonfires every full moon for their goddess.
       As modern culture has overtaken inland, the basic structure of the community has changed. The nation is guided by an “elected” chief, but the line was typically dictated by either familial history or the current chief choosing his successor, currently Chief Whowhatzu. They are also guided by a female healer, Healer Amadala, who heads the community’s medical system. They also have representatives to the government, Representatives Davis and Chandler, who have little political training and struggle to maintain a forceful presence in the national government. Their medical practices are older and herb based, working wonders for minor illnesses, but not always being able to deal with life-threatening illnesses. Most of the diseases faced by villagers come from exposure from the mainland, since they have not developed resistance to common mainland diseases.
       There is a “formal” education system that was begun in the early 20th century that taught island history/lore, governing, basic math, fishing, farming, and now reading, writing, science, history, math etc. The schools are often under attended and overcrowded due to lack of higher education after graduation, and most native lifestyles not needing education past middle school.
       The local culture provides much happiness and social interaction. There are strong bonds that come from the cultural practice of bonfires and fire dancing performances. These include great fish fries in which the best catch is cooked for the sea goddess, but eaten by all. Women and men are considered equal in this community, although the two leadership roles have always been defined by genders, which comes from the use of midwives and the need for men to be gone on long fishing trips. All visitors are welcome, but locals understand little of the outside world’s culture because of weak telephone communication.
       As pacifists, who have never had a reason for conflict on a secluded island, many communities are creating problems that locals are ill prepared to deal with. Several tourist companies have overrun the area, taking large chunks of finance with them and not properly respecting the sacred island. Pollution and overfishing from the mainland now threaten the usually abundant fish populations that have sustained island life for centuries. These changes force some to rethink the cultural practices of the island. Formerly, no written history was known, only the oral history passed down through the villages song and dance rituals, but a younger generation feels the pressure to preserve what may be a dying way of life.

Community J: This community is located on an island within the ocean.

Population size = 100,000 

Natural: 7 This community has been endowed with beautiful scenery and great tourism opportunities, but the threat of rising sea levels and shifting weather patterns have been a recent concern. Research from the University in community B is finding that combined pollution from communities C and G are threatening the long-term sustainability of aquatic ecosystems, including local fish stocks.

Cultural: 7 This community has strong indigenous traditions around land use and fishing rights. People generally regarded by others in the nation (rightly or wrongly) as very open, honest, laid-back, and easy to get along with. Many citizens are world-class sailors and operators of handcrafted sailboats.

Human: 4 Strong traditional knowledge, but the limited connection to the rest of the nation leaves little opportunity for higher education and diffusion of knowledge. There is an increasing occurrence of disease and illness. Large companies and political leaders in community C are blaming local fisherman for contributing to fish stock declines in the region.

Social: 6 There is a strong sense of community developed around their culture and traditions, and citizens are very welcoming to tourists and visitors. However, due to poor telecommunications infrastructure, they have trouble maintaining connections with mainland communities.

Political: 5 There exists strong and trusted local leadership, but the community’s national representatives have little influence within the national government. Local leadership has been unable to engage tourist companies in infrastructure support.

Financial: 4 This community was traditionally reliant on fishing and has significant potential for recreation and tourism-based industries, as well as forest products, but failing infrastructure and taxation systems contribute to limited financial growth. Many of the tourism companies are based out of distant communities leading to limited local ownership over key tourist destinations and activities.

Built: 3 There are limited transportation options to off-island communities. They have a seasonal airport and unreliable ferry boats. The city’s main seaport is in dire conditions and schools and road infrastructure is inadequate in comparison to other communities in the nation. This community’s primary transportation network to the nation’s mainland is through Community C’s seaport.