Kiri

Kiri, officially the Republic of Kiri, is a landlocked country in West Yoju. It borders Sora to the west, Norikwhum to the east, and Barthia to the south. With an area of 18,938 km², it is the smallest country in the region, and with a GDP per capita of over $30,000, it is also the wealthiest on a per-capita basis.

Kiri was historically inhabited by various groups, with a large  population by the end of the 8th century CE. The region came under control of Nukigurun in 1651. After a rebellion in 1682, the Culu people, a group under the Nuki banner system, were almost entirely uprooted from their homeland in Eastern Nukigurun and relocated to the area in order to guard the empire's frontier.

When Barthia gained independence from Nukigurun following the conclusion of the Eulhae War, Kiri immediately declared its own independence from the Barthian government, easily defeating its military and seizing the Baisa Highlands; Kiri's following expulsion of many ethnic Barthians from its territory, and its occupation and subsequent annexation of the Baisa Highlands remain contentious issues today.

Etymology
The name Kiri comes from the Barthian name of a local river of the same name.

Great March and Initial Arrival
The Culu had historically been a group distinct from the Nukis, and after coming under their rule, were incorporated into the Nuki banner system. While it is assumed that the Culu initially did not speak Nuki, they were doing so by the time of their relocation to Kiri in 1681. That year, the Šijen Emperor ordered the relocation of the Culu to West Yoju in order to guard the empire's frontiers.

Out of around 120,000 who began the journey, only 80,000 were left by the time of their arrival in the region in 1683. There, the Culu were given fertile land to own and farm themselves, and many were also provided with local serfs.

Early modern period
In addition to guarding the empire's border, the Culu also regularly put down rebellions in Nuki-controlled West Yoju.

The Culu were legally forbidden from marrying anyone outside of a banner, thus forbidding them from marrying any of the native peoples. However, it was common for Culu men to take on local women as lovers, although anyone born of such a union were not to be considered to be Culu or part of the Nuki banner system. Today, roughly half of the Barthian population of Kiri is estimated to have some Culu admixture.

Independence and modern era
When Barthia was given independence from Nukigurun in the aftermath of the Great Eulhae War, Culu military leaders immediately declared independence as the Republic of Kiri, sparking the Kirian War of Independence. The Culu easily defeated the unprepared and largely unorganized Barthian army, and during the war also seized the Baisa Highlands, an area traditionally not part of Kiri Province. The war and its aftermath saw the expulsion of ethnic Barthians, particularly from the Baisa Highlands, control over which was seen as key to Kiri's national security.

Shortly after the Baisa Highlands were seized, ethnic Culu began to settle the area, a move which was condemned internationally but tacitly approved by the Kirian government. In 1998, the area was formally annexed, in a move which was again widely condemned.

The 2000s saw the beginning of increased migration as the country began to loosen its immigration laws. This move was criticized as being a way for the Kirian government to reduce the ethnic Barthian population of the country and diluting their influence.

Military
All Kirian men are required to serve in the armed forces for a period of a year and a half.

Demographics
Ethnic Culu make up the majority of Kiri's population at 70.2%, with the largest minority being ethnic Barthians at 24.1%. Kiri has a relatively large number of illegal migrants from the rest of West Yoju, being an attractive destination due to its high living standards and wages.

Language
The official language of Kiri is, a language that is mutually intelligible with , and it is spoken at home by 77.2% of the population. The second most spoken at home language is with 19.6%.

is taught at all schools from primary school onward, and many Kirians have a high degree of ability in the language.

Cuisine


Kirian cuisine represents heavy influences from both the eastern and western ends of Yoju. The national dish of the country is, a spicy meat stew which incorporates both Culu and West Yoju ingredients and cooking styles.