History
Prehistory/Antiquity
Members of the Harakoan species first migrated to the swamps and wetlands of Northwestern Owyhyee over two millennia before the arrival of the Jedi. Though extremely little is known about the civilizations present at the time, Jedi archaeologists have uncovered ancient pottery shards and discovered the remnants of raised fields, suggesting the Harakoans of antiquity were not all that different from the modern peoples who populate the region. Due to the lack of diversity in culture (since the Harakoans of the region all descend from the same forest tribe of Owyhyee) there is little evidence to support large-scale wars and conflict until much later in the region's history.
Last Centuries
Due to the diversification of the locals over the last several hundred years, war has become endemic among the swamps and bogs of the area. Most tribes remain isolated hunter gatherers, but larger communities have sprung up with an increase in the amount of agricultural activity, particularly the farming of immense catfish and legumes. The largest settlement of the region, known as Zawag Tākohu, developed during this time and experienced a number of major wars with rival cities in the area.
Struggles for power were common amongst the growing cities and it was not uncommon for entire settlements to be wiped out and slowly swallowed by the swamp, posing great problems for the Jedi and Tythonian archaeologists seeking to study the area. In fact, of the major cities which grew during this period only Zawag Tākohu remains.
After arrival of Jedi
Due to the warlike nature of the Zawi people one of the most influential Jedi on New Tython was assigned to them as their Jedi Representative. Ji arrived shortly before the invasion of the Dark Jedi during the Tenth Great Jedi War (though he returned to Menat Ombo to wage the conflict beside Mike Halcyon). At war's end he returned to Zawag Tākohu to lead the tribe's warriors and coordinate with both il-Zaw the Black, Warchief Whenua and Quejo Drakai Xyler in finishing the liberation of both the planet from the Dark Jedi who remained behind, and indeed the entire Harakoan populace from colonial oppression.
Territory
The territory of Iwu Zawag is fairly large, as the tribe itself boasts a high population by Harakoan standards. Several small, outlying communities are dominated by the central city of Zawag Tākohu whose population is well over 5,000. Small war parties can typically be found roaming throughout the ~12,000 square kilometers of swamp and marshland the tribe controls, ensuring that all the local villages stay in line and pay tribute to Zawi in the form of food and workmen.
Geography
The territory controlled by Iwu Zawag is primarily swamp and wetlands with very little solid ground. Several major rivers which the natives use as highways run through it and out toward the northern oceans. What land there is is typically covered by thick forest and shrubbery. The rivers and marshlands are often extremely deep and shallows are rare. An estimated average depth could be anywhere from 10 to 20 meters, with many parts exceeding 30 meters in depth.
Climate
The climate of this northern region is uncommonly warm despite being in the planet's northern hemisphere, due in large part to the great deal of geological activity taking place beneath the surface. Geysers and hot springs dotting the swamplands are fairly common and the rare methane burp is not unheard of. As a result temperatures during the winter rarely get below 50 degrees Fahrenheit and during the Summer they may top 110 degrees, with extremely high humidity levels.
Precipitation in the form of vast storms is the standard. Sunshine is a rarity as hurricanes commonly blow in (along with warm air) from the western ocean.
Biome
The flora and fauna of the wetlands inhabited by Iwu Zawag are particularly hostile, even by New Tython's standard. There are several dozen varieties of carnivorous planets, some of which are large enough to devour small lizards and birds and, though none can physically consume a Harakoan (or most sentient creatures), they are all extremely toxic. Other plants include wispy, tall trees with a rubber-like wood, likely evolved to withstand the often violent winds of the hurricanes. Vines and creepers are also not uncommon and can grow at such a rate that the locals must actively chop them back to keep their villages from being overrun.
Most landbased animals are small to medium sized herbivores, including several species of Cervidae and Equine species. The most predominant prey animal in the area (other than fish), however, is a water-based hoglike species. Fish species include monstrous catfish up to two meters long, and an assortment of smaller icthyoids. Carnivorous fish are plentiful and, though most only consume other fish, there are several species notorious for maiming and even killing Harakoans. The largest predators in the area are exclusively water-based super-predators (both icthyoid and reptilian) topping 10 meters in length.
Structure
Authority among the Zawi people is heavily centralized among the priests and witch doctors of the tribe. The only power-sharing which goes on is between the Harakoan tribal leaders and their Gand Jedi Representative. There is little room for political maneuvering or change in the highly structured and rigid society.
Chieftain
il-Zaw the Black ascended from the ranks of the Witch Doctors with the death of his father il-Zaw the Ambitious. Upon assuming the mantle of chief, all leaders of the Zawi take on the name il-Zaw. A moniker such as "the Black" or "the Ambitious" is usually assigned quickly by the general population as a means of distinguishing between current and past leaders.
Unlike his father, il-Zaw the Black seems content to rule over the territory presently controlled by the Zawi tribe, though he does so with an iron fist. His judgment is typically regarded as fair and level-headed by his people, though the punishments he issues for crimes can be brutal. His moniker actually comes from his jet black skin and hair (an extreme oddity among the jungle tribes, who often light-skinned with blonde hair).
Witch Doctors
The chieftain's advisory council is made up of various priests and witch doctors from both the regional capital of Zawag Tākohu and several outlying villages. Though they all regarded by il-Zaw the Black as equals (amongst themselves, as none except the Jedi Representative can be equal to the chieftain himself) political squabbles are common and can result in exile and death for less savvy individuals. Ultimately the council handles the day to day affairs and are specialized in different areas of civilian society including spirituality, construction, agriculture and politics.
Military
The military of Iwu Zawag numbers approximately 750 warriors and scouts. Most grew up hunting and fishing in the jungles and, as a result are aptly suited to warfare in dense, tropical environments. They typically carry blowguns and bows and are adept users of local poisons. Martial weapons such as spears and clubs are common, but the most veteran and skilled of warriors carry macuahuitl carved from wood and inlaid with rare obsidian from the mountains to the East. Though they lack cavalry the Zawi warriors are quick on their feet and are well practiced in utilizing trees and vines to cross rivers and streams quickly and efficiently. Canoes and small rafts are also common methods of silent infiltration used by the Zawi, particularly to outflank and surprise an enemy.
The warriors, though answerable to il-Zaw the Black are directly led by their Jedi Representative Ji and, therefore, are under control of both the Kotahitanga-Unity Defense Force and, more specifically, High Warchief Whenua.
Law
Legal dictates come down exclusively from the chieftain (though occasionally input from the witch doctors is considered) and it is, therefore, not uncommon for the legal system of the society to change entirely the ascension of a new ruler. Legislation is encoded on a rudimentary type of "paper" made from the bark of the local fauna and is preserved in oils before being wrapped in animal skins. Such legal documents are taken out only rarely due to the humid nature of the area which promotes quick decomposition.
The judicial system in Zawag Tākohu is fairly standard among tribes of the region. If disputes among individuals or families cannot be settled they are brought before the witch doctors who act as both a judge and a rudimentary jury. However, if the witch doctors' decision is disputed by either of the parties involved the case is taken before il-Zaw the Black, who either decides if the previously rendered decision stands, or if he will hear from both parties and re-rule on the issue at hand. His word is final and no further recourse is available.
Religion
For the Zawi people there is no separation between the material world and the spiritual. Anything from a rock to a geographical feature can be spiritualized and revered by the tribe (such objects are typically denoted by the witch doctors or il-Zaw the Black). Hundreds of spirits and gods are worshiped, many of whom embody forces of nature, especially the wind and rain due the prevalence of hurricanes in the area. Shrinking heads of defeated foes is not an uncommon way to sacrifice to their gods, and is seen by both the Zawi and the Jedi as a compromise for the ending of the practice of actual sentient-sacrifice. The shrunken heads are typically hung from ceremonial blowguns or belts which remain in the home and are only brought out for religious ceremonies (though many of the upper crust in Iwu Zawag wear their trophies throughout the year).
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