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[[Africa|DATE Africa]] > [[Nyumba]] > '''{{PAGENAME}}''' ←You are here  
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[[Africa|DATE Africa]] &gt; [[Ziwa]] &gt; '''{{PAGENAME}}''' &larr;You are here  
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Ziwa’s history since gaining independence is fraught with coups, disputed elections, regional and ethnic violence, and general instability. While Ziwa has demonstrated intent to improve its democratic governance, a lack of deep-rooted democratic and civil society institutions make it one of the most vulnerable and unstable countries in the region. Despite a troubled past, Ziwa is making progress in recent years toward greater transparency and good governance practices. Ziwa is making strides toward improving the lives its citizens through better delivery of services that is being seen in improvement of life expectancies, containment of diseases, and literacy.
  
[[Ariana]] enjoys an ancient heritage and rich culture. Ariana possesses a well-documented reputation as the center of knowledge, art, poetry, and mathematics in the region that dates back thousands of years. Most Arianians are proud of their nation and consider themselves Arianians and/or Persians, dependent on their ethnic group.
+
== Social Statistics for Amari, Kujenga, Ziwa, Nyumba ==
 
 
Over the last few years, radical Arianian powerbrokers with extremist world views have provided sanctuary to international terrorists. Ariana also sponsored the proxy wars of the Shia Internationalist Brigades and the Martyr’s Army versus Israel, as well as training and/or supplying Arianian Shia insurgent groups such as local Shia Internationalist Brigades. Ariana continues to threaten Israel, the US, and their allies with its domestically popular and successful nuclear  weapons program.
 
 
 
Since President Ahmad Moudin took power in 2003, his continual references to the 12th Imam’s imminent return and the establishment of an Islamic Caliphate stir the Shia faithful to action. The rhetoric also diverts increasing social discontent to a common foreign enemy—the US and its infidel allies, such as Israel and Egypt. As long as religious zealots control the government, it remains likely that Ariana and the US will never become allies in the Caucasus region.
 
 
 
Social discontent and civil unrest continue to rise in Ariana. Tens of thousands of people protested the last election (August 2009), in which Moudin received the most votes in what many observers perceived as a rigged election. The perception by many Arianian citizens of deeply ingrained government corruption, skewed wealth distribution, high inflation, and high unemployment rates continue to drive this discontent and unrest. Protests, to include student organized protests, persist even to date in Tehran.
 
 
 
Regardless of these problems, the Arianian populace still enjoys a higher living standard than many regional neighbors. Ariana is not a poor nation. The Arianian poor generally earn more than $2 per day, the United Nations (UN) poverty standard. The government, however, states that only 18% of its citizens live below the poverty line. The Arianian people’s discontent may eventually lead to minor governmental changes but likely will not result in any fundamental changes to the Arianian political situation.
 
 
 
Most citizens enjoy clean water and electricity, most attend primary and secondary schools, and most urban citizens have access to phone services. Literacy rates remain very high in Ariana (77%), and over 80% complete high school. Each year, over one million high school graduates apply for entrance into Arianian universities. The more educated the Arianian public becomes, however, the more likely that they will speak out against the theocracy.
 
 
 
== Social Statistics for Ariana, Atropia, Donovia, Gorgas, and Limaria ==
 
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
|'''Statistic'''
+
!
|'''Ariana'''
+
!Amari
|'''Atropia'''
+
!Kujenga
|'''Donovia'''
+
!Nyumba
|'''Gorgas'''
+
!Ziwa
|Limaria
+
|-
 +
|Age Distribution <small>(%)</small>
 +
!
 +
!
 +
!
 +
!
 +
|-
 +
|''< 15 yr.''
 +
|42
 +
|45%
 +
|44%
 +
|45%
 +
|-
 +
|''15-59 yr.''
 +
|53
 +
|50%
 +
|52%
 +
|49%
 +
|-
 +
|''> 60 yr.''
 +
|5
 +
|5%
 +
|4%
 +
|6%
 +
|-
 +
|Median Age
 +
|19.5
 +
|27
 +
|18
 +
|20
 +
|-
 +
|Pop. Growth Rate <small>(% - rank)</small>
 +
|1.81%
 +
|2.8%
 +
|2%
 +
|3.2%
 +
|-
 +
|Birth Rate <small>(per 1,000 - rank)</small>
 +
|25.1
 +
|35
 +
|39
 +
|42.9
 +
|-
 +
|Death Rate <small>(per 1,000 - rank)</small>
 +
|6.8
 +
|7.6
 +
|13.1
 +
|10.2
 +
|-
 +
|Infant Mortality <small>(per 1,000 - rank)</small>
 +
|38.3
 +
|41.2
 +
|96.6
 +
|57.6
 
|-
 
|-
|'''Age  distribution (%)'''
+
|Life Expectancy
|0-14 years: 21.7
+
!64
 +
!62.2
 +
!52.4
 +
!65
 +
|-
 +
|Fertility Rate <small>(child/woman - rank)</small>
 +
|3.14
 +
|4.77
 +
|5.8
 +
|5.71
 +
|-
 +
|Net Migration Rate <small>(per 1,000/rank)</small>
 +
|0.3%
 +
|0.2%
 +
|<nowiki>-0.5%</nowiki>
 +
|<nowiki>-6.5%</nowiki>
 +
|-
 +
|Literacy Rate <small>(%)</small>
 +
|78%
  
15-64 years: 72.9
+
Male 81%
  
65 years and  over: 5.4
+
Female 74%
|0-14 years: 23.9
+
|76%
  
15-64 years: 69.4
+
Male 83%
  
65 years and  over: 6.7
+
Female 71%
|0-14 years: 15.2
+
|72%
  
15-64 years: 71.8
+
Male 82%
  
65 years and  over: 13
+
Female 68%
|0-14 years: 16.1
+
|78%
  
15-64 years: 67.6
+
Male 85%
  
65 years and over: 16.4
+
Female 72%
|0-14 years: 18.2
+
|-
 
+
|Urban Population
15-64 years: 71.1
+
!25.6%
 
+
!33%
65 years and  over: 10.6
+
!40.5%
 +
!16.8%
 +
|-
 +
|''Urbanization Rate <small>(%)</small>''
 +
|4.3%
 +
|5%
 +
|4%
 +
|5.3%
 +
|}
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|+Regional Languages
 +
!Amari
 +
!Kujenga
 +
!Nyumba
 +
!Ziwa
 +
|-
 +
|Swahili
 +
|Swahili
 +
|Nyumbaan Arabic
 +
|Swahili
 +
|-
 +
|English
 +
|English
 +
|Swahili
 +
|English
 +
|-
 +
|Arabic
 +
|Arabic
 +
|English
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="4" |Hundreds of local and regional dialects and languages complicate communication, especially in rural areas.
 +
|}
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|+Regional Religious Affiliation
 +
!
 +
!Amari
 +
!Kujenga
 +
!Nyumba
 +
!Ziwa
 +
|-
 +
|Christianity
 +
|80%
 +
|27%
 +
|3%
 +
|40%
 +
|-
 +
|Islam
 +
|
 +
5%
 +
|60%
 +
|90%
 +
|35%
 +
|-
 +
|Traditional and Indigenous
 +
|4%
 +
|10%
 +
|7%
 +
|15%
 +
|-
 +
|Asian traditions such as Hindu, Sikh, Parsee, and Bahaish
 +
|2%
 +
|3%
 +
|0%
 +
|%0
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="5" |In rural areas, tribal and traditional religious beliefs often overlap and sometimes combine with religious traditions such as Christianity, Islam, and other imported religious practices.
 +
|}
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|+Regional Ethnic Groups
 +
!Amari
 +
!Kujenga
 +
!Nyumba
 +
!Ziwa
 +
|-
 +
|Kiboko 22%
 +
|Wawindaji 12%
 +
|Lisimba 5%
 +
|Maji 30%
 +
|-
 +
|Nyati 15%
 +
|Kabila 10%
 +
|Machupa 5%
 +
|Almasi 25%
 +
|-
 +
|Samaki 13%
 +
|Almasi 9%
 +
|Dakari 4%
 +
|Kiboko 5%
 +
|-
 +
|Kondoo 12%
 +
|Samaki 9%
 +
|Adongo 7%
 +
|Mafuta 28%
 +
|-
 +
|Haki 10%
 +
|Milima 8%
 +
|Abedi 4%
 +
|Other African 7%
 +
|-
 +
|Nomadic 4%
 +
|Kirafiki 6%
 +
|Kijana 5%
 +
|Non-African 5%
 +
|-
 +
|Other African 21%
 +
|Kiarabu 6%
 +
|Wangari 9%
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|Non-African 3%
 +
|Upanga 5%
 +
|Mpasa 8%
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|
 +
|Kisu 4%
 +
|Killima 32%
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|
 +
|Mahindi 4%
 +
|Tajammu 21%
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|
 +
|Other African 25%
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|
 +
|Non-African 2%
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|}
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|+Major Diseases in the Region
 +
|-
 +
|Malaria
 +
|-
 +
|Yellow Fever
 +
|-
 +
|Dengue
 +
|-
 +
|African Trypanosomiasis
 +
|-
 +
|Leishmaniasis
 +
|-
 +
|Onchocerciasis
 +
|-
 +
|Rickettsioses
 +
|-
 +
|Chikungunya Fever
 
|-
 
|-
| 
+
|Zika Virus
'''Median  age'''
 
|Total:  26.3
 
 
 
Male: 26
 
 
 
Female: 26.5
 
|Total: 28.5
 
 
 
Male: 26.9
 
 
 
Female: 30.3
 
|Total: 38.7
 
 
 
Male: 35.5
 
 
 
Female: 41.9
 
|Total: 38.8
 
 
 
Male: 36.3
 
 
 
Female: 41.3
 
|Total: 31.9
 
 
 
Male: 29.1
 
 
 
Female: 34.7
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''Population'''
+
|Diarrhea
 
 
'''Growth rate'''
 
 
 
'''(Rank)'''
 
|77,891, 220
 
 
 
1.248%
 
 
 
(94)
 
|8,372,373
 
 
 
0.846%
 
 
 
(129)
 
|82,008,765
 
 
 
-0.47%
 
 
 
(223)
 
|4,585,874
 
 
 
-0.326%
 
 
 
(217)
 
|2,967,975
 
 
 
0.063%
 
 
 
(188)
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''Birth  rate'''
+
|Cholera
 
 
'''per  1,000'''
 
 
 
'''(Rank)'''
 
|17.17
 
 
 
(120)
 
|17.62
 
 
 
(117)
 
|11.05
 
 
 
(174)
 
|10.66
 
 
 
(181)
 
|12.65
 
 
 
(161)
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''Death  rate'''
+
|Typhoid
 
 
'''per  1,000'''
 
 
 
'''(Rank)'''
 
|5.72
 
 
 
(171)
 
|8.30
 
 
 
(101)
 
|16.04
 
 
 
(5)
 
|9.65
 
 
 
(68)
 
|8.39
 
 
 
(97)
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''Net'''
+
|Hepatitis A, B, C, and E
 
 
'''Migration'''
 
 
 
'''rate per'''
 
 
 
'''1,000'''
 
 
 
'''(Rank)'''
 
|<nowiki>-2.62</nowiki>
 
 
 
(141)
 
|<nowiki>-1.69</nowiki>
 
 
 
(129)
 
|0.29
 
 
 
(68)
 
|<nowiki>-4.26</nowiki>
 
 
 
(157)
 
|<nowiki>-4.56</nowiki>
 
 
 
(159)
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''Urban'''
+
|Dracunculiasis
 
 
'''population'''
 
 
 
'''Annual'''
 
 
 
'''urbanization'''
 
 
 
'''rate'''
 
|68%
 
 
 
2.1%
 
|52%
 
 
 
1.0%
 
|67%
 
 
 
-0.2%
 
|53%
 
 
 
-0.6%
 
|64%
 
 
 
-0.3%
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''Infant'''
+
|Echinococcosis
 
 
'''mortality'''
 
 
 
'''rate'''
 
 
 
'''(Rank)'''
 
|35.78
 
 
 
(71)
 
|54.6
 
 
 
(46)
 
|10.08
 
 
 
(147)
 
|16.22
 
 
 
(121)
 
|20.21
 
 
 
(104)
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''Life'''
+
|Meningococcal Disease
 
 
'''expectancy'''
 
 
 
'''at birth in'''
 
 
 
'''years'''
 
 
 
'''(Rank)'''
 
|Total: 71.14
 
 
 
Male: 69.65
 
 
 
Female: 72.72
 
 
 
(132)
 
|Total: 66.66
 
 
 
Male: 62.53
 
 
 
Female: 71.34
 
 
 
(157)
 
|Total: 66.29
 
 
 
Male: 59.8
 
 
 
Female: 73.17
 
 
 
(162)
 
|Total: 76.72
 
 
 
Male: 73.41
 
 
 
Female: 80.45
 
 
 
(62)
 
|Total: 72.68
 
 
 
Male: 69.06
 
 
 
Female: 76.81
 
 
 
(118)
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''Fertility'''
+
|HIV Infection
 
 
'''rate'''
 
 
 
'''(Children'''
 
 
 
'''per woman)'''
 
 
 
'''(Rank)'''
 
|1.70
 
 
 
(171)
 
|2.03
 
 
 
(127)
 
|1.42
 
 
 
(197)
 
|1.44
 
 
 
(190)
 
|1.36
 
 
 
(201)
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''Major diseases in the OE'''
+
|Sexually Transmitted Diseases
|0  Diarrheal diseases
 
 
 
0  Hepatitis A
 
 
 
0 Malaria
 
 
 
0 Crimean-Congo
 
 
 
0  Hemorrhagic fever
 
 
 
0 Cutaneous
 
 
 
0 Leishmaniasis
 
 
 
0 Leptospirosis
 
 
 
0 Schistosomiasis
 
 
 
0 Hepatitis
 
 
 
0 Tuberculosis
 
 
 
0  Q Fever
 
|0  Diarrheal diseases
 
 
 
0  Hepatitis A
 
 
 
0  Hepatitis E
 
 
 
0 Typhoid
 
 
 
0 Cholera
 
 
 
0 Malaria
 
 
 
0 Crimean-Congo
 
 
 
0  Hemorrhagic fever
 
 
 
0 Gonorrhea
 
 
 
0 Chlamydia
 
 
 
0 Tuberculosis
 
 
 
0 Leptospirosis
 
 
 
0 Hantavirus
 
 
 
0  Hemorrhagic fever
 
 
 
0 Anthrax
 
 
 
0 Rabies
 
|0  Diarrheal diseases
 
 
 
0 Typhoid
 
 
 
0  Hepatitis A
 
 
 
0 Cholera
 
 
 
0 Salmonella
 
 
 
0 Tuberculosis
 
 
 
0 HIV/AIDS
 
 
 
0 Encephalitis
 
 
 
0  H5N1 avian influenza
 
|0  Diarrheal diseases
 
 
 
0 Typhoid
 
 
 
0  Hepatitis A
 
 
 
0 Malaria
 
 
 
0  West Nile Fever
 
 
 
0 Crimean-Congo
 
 
 
0  Hemorrhagic fever
 
 
 
0 Meningococcal
 
 
 
0 Meningitis
 
 
 
0 Gonorrhea
 
 
 
0 Syphilis
 
 
 
0  Hantaviral fevers
 
 
 
0 Leptospirosis
 
 
 
0 Rabies
 
|0  Diarrheal diseases
 
 
 
0 Typhoid
 
 
 
0  Hepatitis A
 
 
 
0  West Nile fever
 
 
 
0 Crimean-Congo
 
 
 
0  Hemorrhagic fever
 
 
 
0 Meningococcal
 
 
 
0 Meningitis
 
 
 
0 Tuberculosis
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''Ethnic groups (%)'''
+
|Plague
|Persian: 51.0
 
 
 
Atropian: 24.0
 
 
 
Gilaki or
 
 
 
Mazandarani: 8.0
 
 
 
Kurd:  7.0
 
 
 
Arab: 3.0
 
 
 
Lur: 2.0
 
 
 
Baluch: 2.0
 
 
 
Turkmen: 2.0
 
 
 
Other: 1.0
 
|Atropian: 90.6
 
 
 
Gilani: 2.2
 
 
 
Arianian: 3.0
 
 
 
Donovian: 1.8
 
 
 
Limarian:  1.5
 
 
 
Other 0.9
 
|Arab: 70.0
 
 
 
Gorgan: 5.0
 
 
 
Atropian: 5.0
 
 
 
Limarian: 10.0
 
 
 
Other: 10.0
 
|Gorgan: 83.8
 
 
 
Atropian: 6.5
 
 
 
Limarian: 5.7
 
 
 
Donovian: 1.5
 
 
 
Other: 2.5
 
|Limarian: 97.9
 
 
 
Yezidi (Kurd): 1.3
 
 
 
Donovian: '''''0.5'''''
 
 
 
Other: 0.3
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''Religions in'''
+
|Rabies
 
 
'''OE (%)'''
 
|Shia Muslim: 89.0
 
 
 
Sunni Muslim: 9.0
 
 
 
Other: 2.0
 
|Muslim: 93.4
 
 
 
Donovian Orthodox: 2.5
 
 
 
Limarian Orthodox: 2.3
 
 
 
Other: 1.8
 
|Sunni Hanafi Muslim: 80.0
 
 
 
Shia Sufi Muslim: 5.0
 
 
 
National Orthodox Christian: 15.0
 
|Orthodox Christian: 83.9
 
 
 
Muslim: 9.9
 
 
 
Limarian-Gregorian: 3.9
 
 
 
Catholic: 0.8
 
 
 
Other: 0.8
 
 
 
None: 0.7
 
|Limarian Orthodox: 94.7
 
 
 
Other Christian: 4.0
 
 
 
Yezidi: 1.3
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''Languages'''
+
|Tuberculosis
|Persian Dialects: 58.0
 
 
 
Turkic Dialects: 26.0
 
 
 
Kurdish: 9.0
 
 
 
Luri: 2.0
 
 
 
Baluchi: 1.0
 
 
 
Arabic: 1.0
 
 
 
Kalarian: 1.0
 
 
 
Other: 2.0
 
|Atropian (official): 90.3
 
 
 
Lezgi: 2.2
 
 
 
Donovian: 1.8
 
 
 
Limarian: 1.5
 
 
 
Other: 3.3
 
 
 
Unspecified: 1.0
 
|Donovian (official)
 
 
 
Many minority
 
 
 
languages
 
|Gorgan: 71.0
 
 
 
Donovian: 9.0
 
 
 
Limarian: 7.0
 
 
 
Atropian: 6.0
 
 
 
Other: 7.0
 
|Limarian: 97.7
 
 
 
Yezidi: 1.0
 
 
 
Donovian: 0.9
 
 
 
Other: 0.4
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''Literacy'''
+
|Viral Hemorrhagic Fever
 +
Ebola Virus
  
'''rate (older'''
+
Rift Valley Fever
  
'''than 15)'''
+
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever
 
 
'''(%)'''
 
|Total: 77.0
 
 
 
Male: 83.5
 
 
 
Female: 70.4
 
|Total: 98.8
 
 
 
Male: 99.5
 
 
 
Female: 98.2
 
|Total: 98.0
 
 
 
Male: 98.0
 
 
 
Female: 98.0
 
|Total: 100
 
 
 
Male: 100
 
 
 
Female: 100
 
|Total: 99.4
 
 
 
Male: 99.7
 
 
 
Female: 99.2
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
== Population Movement (Migration/IDPs/Refugees) ==
 
== Population Movement (Migration/IDPs/Refugees) ==
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) stated that Ariana “hosts one of the largest and longest-staying refugee populations in the world.” Some 70% of its Afghan and Iraqi refugees have resided in Ariana for 20 to 30 years. Half of them were born and educated in the country, and half the refugee population is female. As of 2010, the Arianian Bureau of Immigrant Affairs (ABIA) possessed a registry of some 976,500 refugees, including 933,500 Afghans and 43,000 Iraqis. The UN provides no official numbers on Arianian IDPs. Due to their residence in Ariana for over 30 years, this generation of refugees born in the camps probably does not think of themselves as belonging to their ethnic group in another country, but as a persecuted minority group inside Ariana.
+
Ziwa's improving economy has attracted economic refugees from Kujenga. This has resulted in refugee camps in the border regions, stretching Ziwa's limited resources. UNHCR and western resources are supplementing, however, there is growing pressure from citizens of Ziwa to remove the refugees.  
 
 
Ariana continues to forcibly deport large numbers of refugees, even after the government publically pledged to stop such action. Ariana will likely continue to push to return refugees to their home country to reduce the camps’ drain on Ariana’s treasury.
 
 
 
Ariana leads other developing nations in the number of professionals who emigrate. This “brain drain” prevents Ariana from taking advantage of their “best and brightest.” Primary and secondary schools, college and university academic standards, and education quality also suffer as the most qualified teachers leave the country. As long as Ariana continues a policy that limits free thought,  the smartest Arianians will probably continue to flee the country if they can find the opportunity.
 
  
 
== Population Distribution ==
 
== Population Distribution ==
Ariana now is predominantly an urban society. Since 1970, one in four Arianians have moved from rural homes to urban areas in search of higher-paying jobs and a better life. In 1970, only 42% of the population lived in urban areas. At present, 68% lived in cities and this percentage increases at a rate of 2.1% per year. Analysts project the current urbanization rates to continue. The concentration of urban dwellers allows the Arianian government to easily send messages to the population but it also concentrates more people in one area who could riot if they become disenchanted with the government.
+
Ziwa is a mix of predominantly an urban society. In the past thirty years, one in four Ziwaans have moved from rural homes to urban areas in search of higher-paying jobs and a better life. At present, 68% live in cities and this percentage increases at a rate of 2.1% per year. Analysts project the current urbanization rates to continue. The concentration of urban dwellers allows the Ziwaan government to easily send messages to the population but it also concentrates more people in one area who could riot if they become disenchanted with the government. This continued migration will allow for better quality of life if jobs remain available and resources are not overloaded. Conversely, this migration could result in increased poverty for those who do not have the necessary job skills and, as a result, are not able to provide for their families.
 
 
Most major Arianian cities are growing rapidly—in some instances even more rapidly than Tehran. Key urban centers include Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan, Karaj, and Tabriz. This continued migration will allow for better quality of life if jobs remain available and resources are not overloaded. Conversely, this migration could result in increased poverty for those who do not have the necessary job skills and, as a result, are not able to provide for their families.
 
  
 
== Demographic Mix ==
 
== Demographic Mix ==
Approximately 40.1 million Arianian citizens are of military age (16-49 years old)—20,763,890 males and 20,157,570 females, or about 62% of the total population. Of these, about 35 million meet the fitness standards for military service. Over 1.2 million Arianian males and females reach  the military significant age annually. The maximum Arianian military male capacity is about 6.6 million soldiers, sailors, and airmen. Ariana’s population reveals a youthful demographic, with half of its citizens at or below the age of 26.3, compared to the US with a median age of 36.7 years. Pakistan’s median age of 22.6 years, Iraq’s 21.5 years, and Afghanistan’s 18.1 years, however, demonstrate that Ariana’s neighbors exhibit an even younger populace. The average Arianian female outlives the average male by about three years. This relatively young population provides significant human resources for both military and civilian jobs.
+
The life expectancy in the country is around 58.5 years, with the life expectancy of males being 56.7 years and 60.5 years for females. Due to the high marriage rate in the country, the age structure is skewed towards the younger generations with 48.47% of the Ziwaan population being in the 0-14 year-old age group. After that, 28.34% of the population of Ziwa is in the 25-64 year age group. Lastly, 21.16% of the total population is dominated by the 15-24 year age group. Just 2.04% of the population is 65 or older.
  
 
== Social Volatility ==
 
== Social Volatility ==
Ariana currently demonstrates high social volatility with open civil unrest, the rise of a political reform movement, and changes to its basic social fabric, such as the role of women in society. Political unrest after the June 2009 presidential election sparked demonstrations across Ariana and drew international attention. These massive street protests highlighted Arianians' disapproval of their ruling regime and desire for a more transparent and inclusive political system. Protests continued into the subsequent Arianian holidays. Current observations demonstrate that Ariana's opposition movement remains active and Tehran’s grip on power may exhibit some vulnerability. Though the Arianian military recently publicly expressed some dissatisfaction with the current president, the theocracy will remain in control as long as it maintains the military’s support.
+
The Ziwa government faces a number of domestic challenges. Ziwa’s dependence on revenue from precious metal mining—and the multinational companies that operate the mines—contributes to the inconsistent enforcement of labor law. This leads to periodic eruptions of protests and strikes that in turn disrupts the flow of revenue to the government. Judges on the National Industrial Court who hear labor dispute cases receive significant political pressure to find in favor of multinational corporations.  
  
Long-simmering tensions continue between ethnic and religious groups, including tensions between the Shia and the non-Shia groups such as Ariana’s Sunni Arabs, Baluchi separatists, and Kurds. Reportedly, Shia morality police and government police targeted Baha’is, Christians, and Assyrians nationwide, as well as Tehran’s Jewish population. The Arianian government likely will not take action to eliminate the discrimination against the country’s minority and Christian sects.
+
A large portion of the Ziwa People’s National Guard’s approximately 3,800 personnel is comprised of former rebel fighters from border regions: the government wanted to ensure employment for these military age young men while taking advantage of their knowledge of the terrain and people. There are, however, regular complaints about lack of discipline and abuse of citizens in those areas.
  
Several foreign anti-Ariana insurgent groups operate with sporadic violence and have attacked current government entities and key leaders. The largest group is located in the southeast of Ariana and has been opposing Ariana for two decades through a low-level pseudo-insurgency. The group God’s Helpers Brigade foments violent opposition by the populace to state taxation policies; unreliable electric, sewage, and potable water services; substandard preventive medical services; and a state judicial system that illegally favors the political party currently in control of  the government’s executive and legislative branches.
+
The Union of Peace for the Ziwa (UPZ) and the Watasi Gang are two organizations causing significant problems inside Ziwa. UPZ forces have been blamed for attacks on tourists and government anti-poaching patrols in the Serengeti and northwestern regions, while the Watasi Gang is an extremely violent militia group operating in Ziwa’s mountainous northeastern region. Watasi Gang members routinely engage in banditry, raids, poaching, kidnapping, and drug trafficking and smuggling.  The Watasi have also been blamed for attacks against tourists: threats have driven many of the tour operators to avoid the area altogether.
  
Other groups and affiliates located throughout Ariana are sympathetic to pro-Western economic initiatives and social-political concepts. (''See the Military variable for more information.'')
+
Poverty, illiteracy, and poor healthcare also remain significant problems in Ziwa. While making incremental progress, these challenges remain debilitating to economic development efforts. Limited investment in these critical social areas cause many to become passive about the government’s capacity to fix critical problems for a large section of the population.
  
 
== Education Level ==
 
== Education Level ==
Education remains widely accessible, as most Arianians attend primary and secondary schools. Seventy-seven percent of adults possess basic literacy skills while over 80% complete high school. Annually, over one million high school graduates apply for entrance into the nation’s universities.
+
The system of education in Ziwa has a structure of 7 years of primary education, 6 years of secondary education (divided into 4 years of lower secondary and 2 years of upper secondary school), and 3 to 5 years of post-secondary education. The government of Ziwa recognizes education as a basic human right and continues to strive to provide free primary education to all children in the country, however, issues with funding, teacher training, rural populations, and inadequate facilities continue to hinder the progress of educational development in Uganda.
 
 
The Arianian primary school system consists of five years of school that most students begin at age six. Middle school is three years and high school, four years. High school academics include science, mathematics, and vocational or technical skills. High school graduates must score well on a mandatory university entrance exam to attend any public Arianian university.
 
 
 
After the Council of Guardians Revolution, the primary and secondary educational system emphasized the Koran and selected religious studies. Although government clerics attempted to infuse Islamic teachings into the primary through secondary curricula, some intellectuals resisted these efforts at the university level. To counter this opposition, the government’s clerical leadership rewards supporters with university teaching appointments and denies appointments to those with suspect ideological convictions. In 2009, clerics reportedly redoubled their efforts to root out  “Western influences” from their education system. In November 2009, to quell student protests, the government announced the possibility of the placement of clerics in every school. Local seminaries also expanded their influence over the curriculum of nearby schools. The Arianian government’s education policies will continue to drive those who want an open education from the field and, if given the chance, many will leave the country to teach elsewhere.
 
  
 
== Ethnic Diversity ==
 
== Ethnic Diversity ==
The Persian ethnic group dominates Arianian culture, society, and government. Ariana’s diverse ethnic mix includes Persians, Atropians, Gilakis or Mazandaranis, Kurds, Arabs, Baluchis, and   other smaller groups. Despite the ethnic diversity, there remains a strong sense of Arianian national identity. The Persian-run government has successfully maintained the peace between its ethnic minorities, but at times did so with a firm hand. Demonstrations by Arianian Sunni Arab (most Arianian Arabs are Shia) and Sunni Kurd opposition groups have grown violent in the past, which forced the Arianian government to respond in kind. At times, overlapping identities within Ariana have posed political challenges to the regime, but none currently show signs that they will directly challenge the government’s authority.
+
The forty or more distinct societies that constitute the Ziwa nation are usually classified according to linguistic similarities. Most Ziwans speak either Nilo-Saharan or Congo Kordofanian languages. Nilo-Saharan languages, spoken across the north, are further classified as Eastern Nilotic (formerly Nilo Hamitic ), Western Nilotic, Central Sudanic. The many Bantu languages in the south are within the much larger Congo Kordofanian language grouping.       
  
 
== Religious Diversity ==
 
== Religious Diversity ==
In contrast to its level of ethnic diversity, Ariana is relatively homogenous in terms of religion. The religious diversity that does exist is highly correlated with ethnicity: Ariana’s largest non-Shia bloc— Sunni Muslims—is mainly drawn from Ariana’s Kurdish, Baluchi, and Turkmen populations. The majority of the population is Muslim (98%); of this group 89% are Shia and 9% are Sunni (mostly Turkmen, Arabs, Baluchis, Kurds, and Khuzistani Arabs). Non-Muslims account for 2% of the population. There are no official statistics available on the size of the Sufi Muslim population; however, some reports estimate between 2.5% and 6.4% of the Arianian population practice Sufism. Regardless, Ariana’s stringent imposition of religious ideals and education on society does not allow for much diversity or any degree of separation of religion from other aspects of society.
+
Religious leaders have the most influence locally. In some areas, tensions develop between religious majorities and minorities. A few Muslim and Christian leaders have gained attention on a national stage and exploited these regional tensions through broadcasted sermons and publications. Periodically, an altercation between members of different religions that may have been dealt with locally in the past, have been elevated to national attention through these provocative leaders and their social and other media.
  
 
== Common Languages ==
 
== Common Languages ==
Ariana’s principal language is Persian (Farsi), which is the primary language for about 58% of the population. Arianians view the ability to communicate in the Persian language—also the country’s official language—as a standard of civility and social distinction, separating the lower classes from the elites. In the remaining population, 26% speak Turkic, 9% Kurdish, 2% Luri, 1% Baluchi, 1% Arabic, 1% Kalarian, and 2% speak other languages. For US personnel to communicate with the Arianian populace, they will need to speak Farsi or use local interpreters.
+
One of the most recent major languages to arrive in Ziwa is English. Introduced under colonial rule. After independence, English became the official language of Ziwa. It is used in government and commerce and as the primary medium of educational instruction. Official publications and most major newspapers, radio and television stations, and other communication media use English. Most Ziwans speak at least one indigenous African language. Swahili and Arabic are also widely spoken
  
 
== Criminal Activity ==
 
== Criminal Activity ==
Many years ago, the US State Department issued a warning to US persons against travel to Ariana that remains in effect due to high criminal activity present throughout the entire country. “US citizens who travel to Ariana despite the Travel Warning should exercise caution throughout the country, but especially in the southeastern region where Westerners have been victims of criminal gangs often involved in the smuggling of drugs and other contraband.
+
The rule of law in Ziwa is often subverted by politicians, business people, and the military. A number of recent cases showed a light on some of this corruption. Two years ago, the JC succeeded in having three judges on the Court of Appeal removed from office after a bribery scandal. However, military extortion and abuse of citizens in the border regions are seldom prosecuted, while multinational corporations are usually not held accountable for labor violations: only the most egregious of safety violations evoking reprimands or fines. Non-government and civil society organizations are increasingly uncovering violations of human rights.
  
Crime exists in many forms throughout Ariana. In 2000, the Arianian government reported that Tehran contained up to two million drug addicts, who consumed up to five tons of narcotics daily. Drug use and prostitution are widespread among young Arianians. Petty street crimes—such as robberies by men in unmarked cars and on motorcycles—also commonly occur across Ariana. Some victims have reported robberies by police impersonators in civilian clothing. Terrorist explosions have killed a number of people in Ariana since 2005. The Arianian government has blamed the US, UK, and Saudi governments (or their alleged proxies) for involvement in bombings directed against Arianian military forces.
+
The Union of Peace for the Ziwa (UPZ) and the Watasi Gang are two organizations causing significant problems inside Ziwa. UPZ forces have been blamed for attacks on tourists and government anti-poaching patrols in the Serengeti and northwestern regions, while the Watasi Gang is an extremely violent militia group operating in Ziwa’s mountainous northeastern region. Watasi Gang members routinely engage in banditry, raids, poaching, kidnapping, and drug trafficking and smuggling.  The Watasi have also been blamed for attacks against tourists: threats have driven many of the tour operators to avoid the area altogether.
  
While Ariana does not publish national crime statistics, the Arianian news media and organizations such as the UN report major incidents of criminal activity and public executions. In 2010, the UN reported Ariana executed the most criminals per capita of any nation. Ariana executed 320 persons, including seven juveniles. About 130 juvenile offenders remain on death row. Between January and May 2011, Ariana executed approximately 90 convicted criminals for capital crimes.
+
Ziwa suffered from decades of corruption that stunted economic growth, discouraged international investment, and diverted much needed funds from relieving poverty, increasing access to life-saving health care, and improving infrastructure. Some efforts have been made in recent years to uproot corruption from Ziwan society. The most prominent such effort is the Economic and Financial Crimes Authority (EFCA). The EFCA came about in response to international pressure towards greater cooperation in fighting money laundering and in support of the president’s efforts to rid the government of corruption. The EFCA has seen success in its efforts to catch and prosecute corruption crimes. Five years ago, Yaro Okpara, the crusading head of the EFCA, reported to the Ziwan Senate that a number of governors were under investigation.
  
The Arianian government considers most violent crimes—to include murder, robbery, rape, and drug distribution—as capital offenses punishable by hanging. Judges, however, continue to issue disparate sentences such as stoning and throwing from heights for capital offenses. Arianian judges also regularly order executions for adultery and for premarital sex, despite UN requests to end such practices. Judicial officials often discriminate between the sexes, and sentences of stoning to death for adultery are disproportionately handed down to women.
+
As international corruption rankings indicate, Ziwa has a long way to go in order to root out corruption from the government. A history of corruption wove a system of doing business into Ziwa’s social fabric that is not easy to extract. It will take many years of concerted effort to put in place the necessary reforms and framework to root out the endemic corruption.
[[File:Smuggling Tunnel on Arianian and Atropian Border.png|thumb|Smuggling Tunnel on Arianian and Atropian Border]]
 
Narcotics and human trafficking are major criminal enterprises in Ariana. Ariana remains a destination country and a global drug transit point for narcotics from Afghanistan. Opium, heroin, morphine, and hashish are trafficked into Arianian border towns from routes through Baluchistan, Nimruz, Farah, and Herat. Criminal elements also utilize century’s old ratlines on the borders to conduct smuggling operations that also include  recently developed underground tunnels to negate law enforcement detection. These under- ground networks range from small and crude to very elaborate with electricity. The exact number of tunnels is unknown at this time; however, STRATCOM estimates that 20 to 30 tunnels are active  within the Northern border regions  of Ariana. The picture is a recent smuggling tunnel discovered by Atropian border guards. Criminal networks traffic Arianian women to Europe, Central/South Asia, and the Persian Gulf states for labor and sexual exploitation. Ariana remains a significant destination country for boys from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh for labor.
 
  
 
== Human Rights ==
 
== Human Rights ==
Ariana’s government possesses a spotty human rights record that appears to be deteriorating due to hard-line Islamic leadership. If US personnel work in Ariana, they may find themselves advocating for human rights in accordance with values articulated by the UN. Reports over the past few years recount numerous severe abuses. Recently reported human rights violations include:
+
Ziwa's government ranks in the middle of human rights rankings. Reports over the past few years detail a significant improvement in violation of human rights reports. Recently reported human rights violations include:
* Unjust executions after reportedly unfair trials
 
* Disappearances
 
* Torture and severe officially-sanctioned punishments such as death by stoning or flogging
 
* Excessive use of force against student demonstrators
 
 
* Poor prison conditions
 
* Poor prison conditions
 
* Arbitrary arrest and detention
 
* Arbitrary arrest and detention
* Lack of judicial independence
 
* Lack of fair public trials
 
* Political prisoners and detainees held without charges or held on false charges
 
* Restrictions of civil liberties, such as speech, press, assembly, association, movement, and privacy
 
* Severe restrictions on freedom of religion
 
 
* Official corruption
 
* Official corruption
 
* Lack of government transparency
 
* Lack of government transparency
* Violence and legal and societal discrimination against women, minorities, and homosexuals
+
* Child labor, including forced child labor
* Trafficking of persons
 
* Incitement to anti-Semitism
 
 
* Restriction of workers' rights, such as freedom of association, organizing, and collective bargaining
 
* Restriction of workers' rights, such as freedom of association, organizing, and collective bargaining
* Child labor, including forced child labor
 
* Persecution of minorities, including religious minorities
 
Arianian women continue to face widespread discrimination in law and practice, despite President Moudin's claims that Arianian women are the “freest in the world.” Gender inequality is widespread and sustained by Arianian law. For example, unless her ex-husband is a drug addict or in prison, a divorced woman must surrender to her ex-husband custody of her sons when they reach two years of age, and of her daughters when they reach seven.
 
Women suffer discrimination under property law as well. For example, when a father dies and leaves an inheritance, the daughter only receives half of what her brother receives. These aspects of Arianian society are unlikely to change as they are based on widely held religious beliefs.
 
 
 
== Centers of Social Power ==
 
== Centers of Social Power ==
The family (immediate and extended) is a basic foundation of Ariana’s social structure. This family focus shapes people’s identity, stature, and ambition. Arianians place dedication to their family  above other social priorities, to include business endeavors and personal relationships. Arianians condone favoritism or bias based on family relationships, and this remains a culturally accepted norm. Multiple family members often work within the same organization; Arianians rationalize the nepotism, portraying it as a means to employ reliable and trustworthy individuals. They rely heavily on the family unit for emotional support. Arianians demonstrate intimacy in their relationships with their extended family and tend to care for elderly relatives at home. The immediate family in Ariana averages less than two children per household.
+
[[File:Date Africa Tribe Map Basic.png|thumb|Tribes overlaid on map]]
 +
Clans are central to social and cultural harmony as they tend to settle land and family disputes before they ever get to the legal system. The clan is seen as a dispute-solving unit, a custodian of cultural values. Even during colonial times, disputes on land were first handled by clan leaders and if they failed to solve them, they would forward them to the government.
  
Factors such as an individual’s age, origin, education level, wealth, and gender contribute to an Arianian’s social rank. Social class and family background determine status more than an individual’s character or achievement. Arianian culture exhibits a hierarchy in its structure. Elaborate rituals of courtesy and respect permeate Arianian culture and affect a wide variety of social norms. These customs determine where a person sits at a table, and even how individuals  greet each other.
+
Another enduring function of clans is to support a grieving family in the event of death. When a person dies it is an obligation of the clan to donate food and raise money to buy a coffin and other burial expenses. While this is a cultural duty for all neighbors and friends anywhere in Ziwaa, the obligation is much more serious for clan members.
  
Individuals deemed inferior within particular relationships must act subservient and respectful in their interactions with their social superiors. The superior remunerates the subordinate’s gestures with acts of charity and generosity. Although Arianian society accepts such interaction as necessary, it amounts to little more than a farce in many cases. In reality, both parties typically distrust each other and may be suspicions of the other’s motives. This veneer operates across most Arianian social institutions, including the military.
+
Many clans derive their names from their place of origin, and members tend to be concentrated in particular areas. With urbanization, more and more people are leaving their home villages for towns and other areas in search of work or more land. Still, members of a particular clan tend to have common surnames and when they meet, the feeling is one of meeting a close relative. So important are clan ties within a particular tribe, that children cannot marry someone from the same clan because this person is considered your brother or sister. Never mind that you may have to walk several generations back to find great, great grandfathers who were distant cousins.
  
 
=== Tribal System ===
 
=== Tribal System ===
 +
[[File:Tribe Population Density Map 2.png|thumb|Tribes overlaid on population density map]]
 
* Sheikhs can (but may not always be) influential and powerful.
 
* Sheikhs can (but may not always be) influential and powerful.
 
* A Sheikh can have family members (and therefore influence) spread over large geographic areas, and may not have any real power or influence in his immediate area.
 
* A Sheikh can have family members (and therefore influence) spread over large geographic areas, and may not have any real power or influence in his immediate area.
Line 681: Line 365:
  
 
=== Honor and Shame ===
 
=== Honor and Shame ===
* Honor in Arianian culture defines an individual’s reputation and worth.
+
* Honor in Ziwaan culture defines an individual’s reputation and worth.
 
* A family’s male head of household is responsible for protecting the family’s honor.
 
* A family’s male head of household is responsible for protecting the family’s honor.
* When someone’s honor is compromised, Arianians seek revenge for themselves, their family, or their group.
+
* When someone’s honor is compromised, Ziwaans seek revenge for themselves, their family, or their group.
  
 
== Basic Cultural Norms and Values ==
 
== Basic Cultural Norms and Values ==
Over the last 25 centuries, the people who inhabited present-day Ariana have shown a long history  of conflict. From the ancient Persian dynasties to the Islamic expansion and the conflicts of the 20th Century, war has been a part of most of Ariana’s history. From its founding in 610, Islam expanded quite often by conquest, and it was no different in Ariana.
 
  
After World War II until the Council of Guardians Revolution, the US provided much military support to Ariana and made it the best military force in the region. After the Council of Guardians Revolution, Western-supplied equipment often fell into disrepair due to a lack of maintenance and spare parts. Due to a firm belief in the righteousness of their religion, young Arianian males will continue to participate enthusiastically in the military despite any leadership deficiencies.
 
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
|'''Meeting & Greeting'''
 
|'''Meeting & Greeting'''
|The lower-status person issues the first greeting—typically ''Salam'' (peace). Men shake hands.
+
|Men do not shake hands with a  woman unless the woman offers her hand first. Make a slight bow or nod of the head when shaking hands.
  
Men do not shake hands with a  woman unless the woman offers her hand first. Make a slight bow or nod of the head when shaking hands.
+
People of the same gender may kiss on the cheek.
 
 
People of the same gender may kiss on the cheek.
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|'''Visiting/ Hospitality'''
 
|'''Visiting/ Hospitality'''
Line 710: Line 390:
 
|-
 
|-
 
|'''Customs and Practices Cultural Dos & Don’ts'''
 
|'''Customs and Practices Cultural Dos & Don’ts'''
|No casinos, nightclubs, dance  halls, movies with nudity or sexual themes, or music genres such as rap or  rock.
+
|Men and women dress conservatively, with men wearing  Western-style clothing.
 
 
Men and women dress conservatively, with men wearing  Western-style clothing.
 
 
 
Women must be covered from head to  toe in public. Some women will wear a burqa, covering all but the eyes, while  others will wear a head scarf that exposes the face.
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|'''Gifts'''
 
|'''Gifts'''
|Be careful about praising a person’s possession as he will  likely offer it to you. Bring a small gift when invited to a household. It will not be opened in front of you. People who return from trips are expected  to bring gifts for family and friends.
+
|Be careful about praising a person’s possession as he will  likely offer it to you. Bring a small gift when invited to a household. It will not be opened in front of you. People who return from trips are expected  to bring gifts for family and friends.
 
|-
 
|-
 
|'''Taboos'''
 
|'''Taboos'''
|No chess or card games allowed.
+
|Do not over-praise a child as the  parents will think you are putting the “evil eye” on them. Do not stare at  others. This is considered rude and is offensive if done to a female by a  male.
 
 
Girls  can only play sports in special enclosed areas. Women cannot perform music in  public.
 
 
 
Do not eat or drink in public from sunrise to sunset during  Ramadan.
 
 
 
Do not find yourself in a closed  room alone with a member of the opposite gender. Do not consume any alcohol.
 
 
 
Do not cross your legs or point  the soles of your feet at anyone. Do not eat with the left hand.
 
 
 
Do not over-praise a child as the  parents will think you are putting the “evil eye” on them. Do not stare at  others. This is considered rude and is offensive if done to a female by a  male.
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|'''Personal Space'''
 
|'''Personal Space'''
 
|Much less than that of the US.
 
|Much less than that of the US.
  
Arianians will stand very close  when speaking to a person.
+
Ziwaans will stand very close  when speaking to a person.
 
|-
 
|-
 
|'''Displays of Affection'''
 
|'''Displays of Affection'''
Line 741: Line 407:
 
|-
 
|-
 
|'''Marriage  Rituals'''
 
|'''Marriage  Rituals'''
|Dating  is uncommon.
+
|Marriages are typically arranged by parents and tribal leaders.
 
+
A marriage ceremony is a village celebration.
Parents choose the bride for their son through the ''Khastagari'' or investigation process.
 
 
 
A contract is concluded at the  second ''Khastagari'', which is when  the groom meets the bride for the first time.
 
 
 
The groom’s  family gives a gift to the bride at the ''Bale  Barun'' ceremony months later.
 
 
 
The two families determine the ''Majles'' (dowry), hold a ''Namzadi'' where the bride and groom exchange rings, and set the wedding date.
 
  
In the ''Khunche,'' the  groom’s family takes gifts to the bride’s house in flat containers carried on  their heads. Ceremony takes place at a ''Sofeye  Aghd'' (Wedding Spread) where the marriage is a contract.
+
The bride's family is responsible for providing the wedding feast.
 
 
The ''Patakhti'' (similar  to a US wedding shower) takes place after the wedding.
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|'''Work Week/ Work Hours'''
 
|'''Work Week/ Work Hours'''
|Saturday to Thursday, 44 hours per week with a Friday-only weekend.
+
|Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week with Saturday and Sunday weekend.
 
|-
 
|-
 
|'''Concept Of Time'''
 
|'''Concept Of Time'''
 
|More relaxed than the West.
 
|More relaxed than the West.
  
Arianians want to establish trust  before working with a foreigner or stranger.
+
Ziwaans want to establish trust  before working with a foreigner or stranger.
 
|-
 
|-
 
|'''Dispute Resolution'''
 
|'''Dispute Resolution'''
Line 767: Line 424:
 
|-
 
|-
 
|'''Birth Rituals'''
 
|'''Birth Rituals'''
|Only  close relatives visit the mother in the hospital.
+
|Maternal grandmother usually takes care of the mother and child for 10 days.
 
 
Others wait until the baby comes  home and then bring a gift when they visit. An older member of the family  will speak Arabic into the baby’s ear.
 
 
 
Maternal grandmother usually takes care of the mother and child for 10 days.
 
  
 
Mothers are expected to breast-feed their babies because of a  fear that if they do not, the child will become “remorseless.”
 
Mothers are expected to breast-feed their babies because of a  fear that if they do not, the child will become “remorseless.”
 
Some brides eat a cooked sheep’s neck to give the baby a  strong neck. Baby receives a special bath at 10 days old.
 
 
When the first  tooth appears, the Mother feeds the baby “tooth soup.”
 
 
Some Shia males are circumcised on  the seventh day after their birth, but all Muslim males are circumcised  before puberty.
 
  
 
Children from any marriage belong to the father in the event  of a divorce.
 
Children from any marriage belong to the father in the event  of a divorce.
 
|-
 
|-
 
|'''Death Rituals'''
 
|'''Death Rituals'''
|Bodies must be buried within 24 hours.
+
|Deaths are attended by the whole village.
 
+
A feast, supplied by the tribe follows the burial.
Washed nine times (often three now) with ''sedr,  kafoor'', and fresh water by the same gender. Body openings plugged with cotton balls.
 
 
 
Body wrapped  in a ''kafan'' (large white cotton  cloth), tied on both ends, and placed in the coffin. Sometimes females will not attend male relative’s funeral.
 
 
 
Buried individually, but high plot cost means that some Arianians use the same plot. Buried with right side facing Mecca.
 
 
 
Burials take place only in daylight hours. Professional readers or recordings recite prayers.
 
 
 
Family will dress in black for 40 days while some extend the mourning period to one year.
 
 
 
Relatives visit the gravesite on the ''Hafteh'' (seventh day), ''Cheleh'' (40th day), and ''Sal'' (one year) after the person’s death.
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
== Summary ==
 
== Summary ==
Ariana’s society has continued to evolve, despite the abuses condoned by a theocratic government that is mismanaged by powerful Shia clerics. While Ariana’s citizens enjoy a higher standard of living than some of their regional neighbors, Arianians are frustrated with the persistent high inflation and unemployment rates. Young adults must overcome economic obstacles before marrying and starting a family of their own. The rural poor still do not enjoy the improvements in their standard of living that Arianian leaders promised during the last two national elections campaigns. Many professionals leave Ariana to seek better opportunities abroad. All of these issues continue to perplex the religious establishment, which has not developed viable solutions.
+
Ziwa is a nation caught, both geographically and ideologically, between the western leaning Amari and the authoritarian leaning Kujenga. It is the most politically vulnerable of the regional countries as it struggles to build civil society institutions without deep democratic roots or traditions. Corruption, endemic in the authoritarian regimes, is still rooted in the memory and behavior of government officials at all levels. The precious metal-rich Ziwa faces the corruption endemic in a country where large sums of money are concentrated in the hands of a few people. Ensuring transparency and equitable distribution of national funds will require extraordinary leadership and a focus on transparent systems.
 +
 
 +
Overcoming poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, poor healthcare, and other social problems is a formidable challenge for Ziwa’s developing government. Pressure from civil society groups, journalists, social media, and other organizations is slowly bringing about greater transparency. Increasingly, the citizens of Ziwa are demanding better services and accountability from its leaders which is having a slow and incremental positive effect on Ziwa’s progress toward better governance.
  
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Latest revision as of 15:01, 6 July 2020

DATE Africa > Ziwa > Social: Ziwa ←You are here

Ziwa’s history since gaining independence is fraught with coups, disputed elections, regional and ethnic violence, and general instability. While Ziwa has demonstrated intent to improve its democratic governance, a lack of deep-rooted democratic and civil society institutions make it one of the most vulnerable and unstable countries in the region. Despite a troubled past, Ziwa is making progress in recent years toward greater transparency and good governance practices. Ziwa is making strides toward improving the lives its citizens through better delivery of services that is being seen in improvement of life expectancies, containment of diseases, and literacy.

Social Statistics for Amari, Kujenga, Ziwa, Nyumba

Amari Kujenga Nyumba Ziwa
Age Distribution (%)
< 15 yr. 42 45% 44% 45%
15-59 yr. 53 50% 52% 49%
> 60 yr. 5 5% 4% 6%
Median Age 19.5 27 18 20
Pop. Growth Rate (% - rank) 1.81% 2.8% 2% 3.2%
Birth Rate (per 1,000 - rank) 25.1 35 39 42.9
Death Rate (per 1,000 - rank) 6.8 7.6 13.1 10.2
Infant Mortality (per 1,000 - rank) 38.3 41.2 96.6 57.6
Life Expectancy 64 62.2 52.4 65
Fertility Rate (child/woman - rank) 3.14 4.77 5.8 5.71
Net Migration Rate (per 1,000/rank) 0.3% 0.2% -0.5% -6.5%
Literacy Rate (%) 78%

Male 81%

Female 74%

76%

Male 83%

Female 71%

72%

Male 82%

Female 68%

78%

Male 85%

Female 72%

Urban Population 25.6% 33% 40.5% 16.8%
Urbanization Rate (%) 4.3% 5% 4% 5.3%
Regional Languages
Amari Kujenga Nyumba Ziwa
Swahili Swahili Nyumbaan Arabic Swahili
English English Swahili English
Arabic Arabic English
Hundreds of local and regional dialects and languages complicate communication, especially in rural areas.
Regional Religious Affiliation
Amari Kujenga Nyumba Ziwa
Christianity 80% 27% 3% 40%
Islam

5%

60% 90% 35%
Traditional and Indigenous 4% 10% 7% 15%
Asian traditions such as Hindu, Sikh, Parsee, and Bahaish 2% 3% 0% %0
In rural areas, tribal and traditional religious beliefs often overlap and sometimes combine with religious traditions such as Christianity, Islam, and other imported religious practices.
Regional Ethnic Groups
Amari Kujenga Nyumba Ziwa
Kiboko 22% Wawindaji 12% Lisimba 5% Maji 30%
Nyati 15% Kabila 10% Machupa 5% Almasi 25%
Samaki 13% Almasi 9% Dakari 4% Kiboko 5%
Kondoo 12% Samaki 9% Adongo 7% Mafuta 28%
Haki 10% Milima 8% Abedi 4% Other African 7%
Nomadic 4% Kirafiki 6% Kijana 5% Non-African 5%
Other African 21% Kiarabu 6% Wangari 9%
Non-African 3% Upanga 5% Mpasa 8%
Kisu 4% Killima 32%
Mahindi 4% Tajammu 21%
Other African 25%
Non-African 2%
Major Diseases in the Region
Malaria
Yellow Fever
Dengue
African Trypanosomiasis
Leishmaniasis
Onchocerciasis
Rickettsioses
Chikungunya Fever
Zika Virus
Diarrhea
Cholera
Typhoid
Hepatitis A, B, C, and E
Dracunculiasis
Echinococcosis
Meningococcal Disease
HIV Infection
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Plague
Rabies
Tuberculosis
Viral Hemorrhagic Fever

Ebola Virus

Rift Valley Fever

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever

Population Movement (Migration/IDPs/Refugees)

Ziwa's improving economy has attracted economic refugees from Kujenga. This has resulted in refugee camps in the border regions, stretching Ziwa's limited resources. UNHCR and western resources are supplementing, however, there is growing pressure from citizens of Ziwa to remove the refugees.

Population Distribution

Ziwa is a mix of predominantly an urban society. In the past thirty years, one in four Ziwaans have moved from rural homes to urban areas in search of higher-paying jobs and a better life. At present, 68% live in cities and this percentage increases at a rate of 2.1% per year. Analysts project the current urbanization rates to continue. The concentration of urban dwellers allows the Ziwaan government to easily send messages to the population but it also concentrates more people in one area who could riot if they become disenchanted with the government. This continued migration will allow for better quality of life if jobs remain available and resources are not overloaded. Conversely, this migration could result in increased poverty for those who do not have the necessary job skills and, as a result, are not able to provide for their families.

Demographic Mix

The life expectancy in the country is around 58.5 years, with the life expectancy of males being 56.7 years and 60.5 years for females. Due to the high marriage rate in the country, the age structure is skewed towards the younger generations with 48.47% of the Ziwaan population being in the 0-14 year-old age group. After that, 28.34% of the population of Ziwa is in the 25-64 year age group. Lastly, 21.16% of the total population is dominated by the 15-24 year age group. Just 2.04% of the population is 65 or older.

Social Volatility

The Ziwa government faces a number of domestic challenges. Ziwa’s dependence on revenue from precious metal mining—and the multinational companies that operate the mines—contributes to the inconsistent enforcement of labor law. This leads to periodic eruptions of protests and strikes that in turn disrupts the flow of revenue to the government. Judges on the National Industrial Court who hear labor dispute cases receive significant political pressure to find in favor of multinational corporations.

A large portion of the Ziwa People’s National Guard’s approximately 3,800 personnel is comprised of former rebel fighters from border regions: the government wanted to ensure employment for these military age young men while taking advantage of their knowledge of the terrain and people. There are, however, regular complaints about lack of discipline and abuse of citizens in those areas.

The Union of Peace for the Ziwa (UPZ) and the Watasi Gang are two organizations causing significant problems inside Ziwa. UPZ forces have been blamed for attacks on tourists and government anti-poaching patrols in the Serengeti and northwestern regions, while the Watasi Gang is an extremely violent militia group operating in Ziwa’s mountainous northeastern region. Watasi Gang members routinely engage in banditry, raids, poaching, kidnapping, and drug trafficking and smuggling. The Watasi have also been blamed for attacks against tourists: threats have driven many of the tour operators to avoid the area altogether.

Poverty, illiteracy, and poor healthcare also remain significant problems in Ziwa. While making incremental progress, these challenges remain debilitating to economic development efforts. Limited investment in these critical social areas cause many to become passive about the government’s capacity to fix critical problems for a large section of the population.

Education Level

The system of education in Ziwa has a structure of 7 years of primary education, 6 years of secondary education (divided into 4 years of lower secondary and 2 years of upper secondary school), and 3 to 5 years of post-secondary education. The government of Ziwa recognizes education as a basic human right and continues to strive to provide free primary education to all children in the country, however, issues with funding, teacher training, rural populations, and inadequate facilities continue to hinder the progress of educational development in Uganda.

Ethnic Diversity

The forty or more distinct societies that constitute the Ziwa nation are usually classified according to linguistic similarities. Most Ziwans speak either Nilo-Saharan or Congo Kordofanian languages. Nilo-Saharan languages, spoken across the north, are further classified as Eastern Nilotic (formerly Nilo Hamitic ), Western Nilotic, Central Sudanic. The many Bantu languages in the south are within the much larger Congo Kordofanian language grouping.       

Religious Diversity

Religious leaders have the most influence locally. In some areas, tensions develop between religious majorities and minorities. A few Muslim and Christian leaders have gained attention on a national stage and exploited these regional tensions through broadcasted sermons and publications. Periodically, an altercation between members of different religions that may have been dealt with locally in the past, have been elevated to national attention through these provocative leaders and their social and other media.

Common Languages

One of the most recent major languages to arrive in Ziwa is English. Introduced under colonial rule. After independence, English became the official language of Ziwa. It is used in government and commerce and as the primary medium of educational instruction. Official publications and most major newspapers, radio and television stations, and other communication media use English. Most Ziwans speak at least one indigenous African language. Swahili and Arabic are also widely spoken

Criminal Activity

The rule of law in Ziwa is often subverted by politicians, business people, and the military. A number of recent cases showed a light on some of this corruption. Two years ago, the JC succeeded in having three judges on the Court of Appeal removed from office after a bribery scandal. However, military extortion and abuse of citizens in the border regions are seldom prosecuted, while multinational corporations are usually not held accountable for labor violations: only the most egregious of safety violations evoking reprimands or fines. Non-government and civil society organizations are increasingly uncovering violations of human rights.

The Union of Peace for the Ziwa (UPZ) and the Watasi Gang are two organizations causing significant problems inside Ziwa. UPZ forces have been blamed for attacks on tourists and government anti-poaching patrols in the Serengeti and northwestern regions, while the Watasi Gang is an extremely violent militia group operating in Ziwa’s mountainous northeastern region. Watasi Gang members routinely engage in banditry, raids, poaching, kidnapping, and drug trafficking and smuggling.  The Watasi have also been blamed for attacks against tourists: threats have driven many of the tour operators to avoid the area altogether.

Ziwa suffered from decades of corruption that stunted economic growth, discouraged international investment, and diverted much needed funds from relieving poverty, increasing access to life-saving health care, and improving infrastructure. Some efforts have been made in recent years to uproot corruption from Ziwan society. The most prominent such effort is the Economic and Financial Crimes Authority (EFCA). The EFCA came about in response to international pressure towards greater cooperation in fighting money laundering and in support of the president’s efforts to rid the government of corruption. The EFCA has seen success in its efforts to catch and prosecute corruption crimes. Five years ago, Yaro Okpara, the crusading head of the EFCA, reported to the Ziwan Senate that a number of governors were under investigation.

As international corruption rankings indicate, Ziwa has a long way to go in order to root out corruption from the government. A history of corruption wove a system of doing business into Ziwa’s social fabric that is not easy to extract. It will take many years of concerted effort to put in place the necessary reforms and framework to root out the endemic corruption.

Human Rights

Ziwa's government ranks in the middle of human rights rankings. Reports over the past few years detail a significant improvement in violation of human rights reports. Recently reported human rights violations include:

  • Poor prison conditions
  • Arbitrary arrest and detention
  • Official corruption
  • Lack of government transparency
  • Child labor, including forced child labor
  • Restriction of workers' rights, such as freedom of association, organizing, and collective bargaining

Centers of Social Power

Tribes overlaid on map

Clans are central to social and cultural harmony as they tend to settle land and family disputes before they ever get to the legal system. The clan is seen as a dispute-solving unit, a custodian of cultural values. Even during colonial times, disputes on land were first handled by clan leaders and if they failed to solve them, they would forward them to the government.

Another enduring function of clans is to support a grieving family in the event of death. When a person dies it is an obligation of the clan to donate food and raise money to buy a coffin and other burial expenses. While this is a cultural duty for all neighbors and friends anywhere in Ziwaa, the obligation is much more serious for clan members.

Many clans derive their names from their place of origin, and members tend to be concentrated in particular areas. With urbanization, more and more people are leaving their home villages for towns and other areas in search of work or more land. Still, members of a particular clan tend to have common surnames and when they meet, the feeling is one of meeting a close relative. So important are clan ties within a particular tribe, that children cannot marry someone from the same clan because this person is considered your brother or sister. Never mind that you may have to walk several generations back to find great, great grandfathers who were distant cousins.

Tribal System

Tribes overlaid on population density map
  • Sheikhs can (but may not always be) influential and powerful.
  • A Sheikh can have family members (and therefore influence) spread over large geographic areas, and may not have any real power or influence in his immediate area.
  • Tribal organization is as follows:
    • Ÿ  Tribal Confederation
    • Ÿ  Tribe
    • Ÿ  Sub-tribe
    • Ÿ  Clan
    • Ÿ  Branch
    • Ÿ  Family

Honor and Shame

  • Honor in Ziwaan culture defines an individual’s reputation and worth.
  • A family’s male head of household is responsible for protecting the family’s honor.
  • When someone’s honor is compromised, Ziwaans seek revenge for themselves, their family, or their group.

Basic Cultural Norms and Values

Meeting & Greeting Men do not shake hands with a woman unless the woman offers her hand first. Make a slight bow or nod of the head when shaking hands.

People of the same gender may kiss on the cheek.

Visiting/ Hospitality Stand when an older or important person enters or leaves a room. Shaking a child’s hand shows respect for the parents.

Due to the lack of other entertainment, family visitation is the most common form of recreation. Honored guests are placed at the head of the table/room and are served first.

It is acceptable to decline the honor and pass it on to someone else.

Manners Use Mr. or Mrs. until well acquainted with the person.

If someone displays interest in your meal, offer them a portion of it. It is alright to decline the offer of the food from their plate.

Customs and Practices Cultural Dos & Don’ts Men and women dress conservatively, with men wearing Western-style clothing.
Gifts Be careful about praising a person’s possession as he will likely offer it to you. Bring a small gift when invited to a household. It will not be opened in front of you. People who return from trips are expected to bring gifts for family and friends.
Taboos Do not over-praise a child as the parents will think you are putting the “evil eye” on them. Do not stare at others. This is considered rude and is offensive if done to a female by a male.
Personal Space Much less than that of the US.

Ziwaans will stand very close when speaking to a person.

Displays of Affection No public displays of affection even between married people.
Marriage Rituals Marriages are typically arranged by parents and tribal leaders.

A marriage ceremony is a village celebration.

The bride's family is responsible for providing the wedding feast.

Work Week/ Work Hours Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week with Saturday and Sunday weekend.
Concept Of Time More relaxed than the West.

Ziwaans want to establish trust before working with a foreigner or stranger.

Dispute Resolution Often hold grudges and seek revenge.
Birth Rituals Maternal grandmother usually takes care of the mother and child for 10 days.

Mothers are expected to breast-feed their babies because of a fear that if they do not, the child will become “remorseless.”

Children from any marriage belong to the father in the event of a divorce.

Death Rituals Deaths are attended by the whole village.

A feast, supplied by the tribe follows the burial.

Summary

Ziwa is a nation caught, both geographically and ideologically, between the western leaning Amari and the authoritarian leaning Kujenga. It is the most politically vulnerable of the regional countries as it struggles to build civil society institutions without deep democratic roots or traditions. Corruption, endemic in the authoritarian regimes, is still rooted in the memory and behavior of government officials at all levels. The precious metal-rich Ziwa faces the corruption endemic in a country where large sums of money are concentrated in the hands of a few people. Ensuring transparency and equitable distribution of national funds will require extraordinary leadership and a focus on transparent systems.

Overcoming poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, poor healthcare, and other social problems is a formidable challenge for Ziwa’s developing government. Pressure from civil society groups, journalists, social media, and other organizations is slowly bringing about greater transparency. Increasingly, the citizens of Ziwa are demanding better services and accountability from its leaders which is having a slow and incremental positive effect on Ziwa’s progress toward better governance.

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