Fashfan

Malina Kari, Fashfan ambassador to Louisia

In the year 5230 SYC (Since Years were Counted, standardized measurement of years with Louisian origins), numerous ethnic groups with distinct languages and cultures, were united under the banner of Fashfa. This is at times regarded by outsiders and ethnic-nationalistic groups as forced, unhealthy, and harmful. However, at the time the movement had majority support, and no evidence of coercion has been recovered.

Alamma Courivver-Dassiti, a person of multi-ethnic descent, took up the title of The Fashfan Unifier, or simply The Unifier. Little is known regarding Alamma's early life, even by which family member or ethnic group Alamma was raised.

To this day, the Fashfan proudly boast of equality and peace between groups. This peace is an uneasy one, coming at the cost of silence; it is not lawful to publicly speak of one's group of origin, or for public schools or close family members to educate youths on these matters. It is said that these laws are to prevent ideologies of supremacy and behaviors of exclusion.

In the century and more since Unification, Fashfan culture has homogenized into a strange mashed heap of different cultures.

### Structure

Since Unification, the Fashfan have been governed by a semi-anonymous lawmaking body elected by an even more anonymous group.

The group of electors is referred to as the Exemplary Families. From 8 of the 24 Fashfan regions, 8 Exemplary Families are chosen that entirely lack criminal records, that can pass certain mysterious written tests (whose contents are presumably historical, cultural, political, and linguistic.), that can trace their bloodline back 3 or more generations as not having a foreign origin, and whose good character can be vouched for by their settlement of residence. These families are selected from several nominees that fit the criteria, by a vote by previous electors as well as by those among the previous lawmakers with a positive record of service and approval.

In these processes of selection, there is a significant bias for families more involved in Unification, and who were closer to Alamma, especially before Unification. There is also an even more visible bias for those of mixed, ambiguous, unclear, or obscured ethnic heritage, particularly those lacking significant visible ethnic features.

The names of those nominees chosen as Electors are not publicized, and they are forbidden to speak to those outside their family about whether they were chosen. If they break this rule or another, they will be removed from their position and others are to be selected.

The lawmakers elected are unknown in number, as well as at the time of their fresh election. It is usual for lawmakers to walk among their constituents to learn about their needs and desires, though this is at times criticized as political espionage or a method for rooting out dissidents and ethnic and cultural practices contrary to Unification.

### Culture

#### Cultural Garments

In the era of Unification, historically ethnic garments have been discarded, and in some cases burned in mass pyres. A new fashion was devised in collaboration between government officials, designers, and public figures. This fashion takes elements from international popular culture, regional traditions, as well as the newest trends among increasingly worldly youth. The result is, for better or for worse, a Fashfa that is at the forefront of global fashion. Pleats, artistic cutouts revealing skin, sheer fabric, and light colors are favored. Small, purely aesthetic hats are also quite popular.

#### Crafts

Fashfan papermaking has significant regional variances, all of which are widely regarded as beautiful and internationally, a novelty.

#### Food and Drink

In any public setting or whenever guests are welcomed into a residence, the food served lacks a distinct culture. It is without seasoning or unique local items. This is enforced by business and charity inspections, seemingly affable unknown lawmakers, and internal as well as external commerce regulations. The bounds of what can be considered seasoning and what is added for flavor as well as what is a local or ethnic specialty are subject to significant change based on who is in office as a lawmaker.

#### Naming

Names when given or changed must be submitted to be reviewed by the government to eliminate any locational, ethnic, or political references, as well as anything else that is contrary to Unification.

#### Education

The Unification government has significantly increased regulations on education since its establishment. This is one of its least controversial actions, as literacy rates have improved significantly. It is also reported that the ability of citizens to pass tests related to language, history, and politics has majorly increased. However, these regulations do more than merely require education. The content of education is heavily monitored. The motivations for home-schooling and the execution thereof are under even greater scrutiny.

#### Infrastructure

Public health, transportation, and housing have improved significantly since Unification. Employment is also reported to have improved, but these reports are culturally biased towards an anti-ethnic, emotionlessly capitalist, and possibly anti-disabled idea of gainful employment. This involves long hours, smaller paychecks, communicative and linguistic restrictions, monitoring, and a trend away from family and community self-sufficiency.

### Demography and Population

Before Unification, the lands that are now Fashfan consisted of between 89 and 117 distinct ethnic groups having 87 distinct languages, 60 to 79 of which were not significantly mutually intelligible. These groups were intentionally split into 24 administrative and political regions with conscious disregard for ethnic divisions, linguistic divisions, and cultural differences.

Pre-Fashfan ethnicities had roughly equal populations. Natural resources differed from one territory to the next, but these resources were merely different in substance, rather than in fertility/barrenness of the land.