Zalawi

The Province of Zalawi

Allegiance	Sirdabi Caliphate
Capital	Zaloudri
Demonym	Salawi
Official Language	Sirdabi
Official Religion	Azadi
Currency	fals/dirham/nour
Native Heritages	Salawi, Sirdabi

Zalawi is a province of the Sirdabi Caliphate, its only Idiri possession lying south of the Great Hazari Desert. With a hospitable sandy coastline along the Sea of Salaah, rich iron mines in its interior, and trade connections with peoples of both land and sea, Zalawi is a vital contributor to the caliphate's prosperity. Sailors, shipbuilders, and daring entrepreneurs, the Salawi people's thriving trade with the land of Jalanjhur predates even that of the Sirdabi themselves.

Geography & Climate

Zalawi is relatively temperate and wet compared to the desert provinces of the north Idiri coast. It has two rainy seasons produced by the warm wet monsoon winds coming off the Sea of Salaah: the primary and very intense rains of Rashani through Ashbat, and a second period of lighter but frequent rains in the fall months of Kholabi and Oniris. That being said, Zalawi is still a hot and often sweltering land, with a particularly debilitating damp heat that settles in during the month of Jinniyah.

The elevation of the province rises from east to west, progressing from the low and sandy coast to the central hill country, and then still more dramatically ascending towards the Izendi Highlands that lie beyond the province's western border. The swift flow of the upper Ulumbele River is driven by this difference in elevation, emerging from Nirzali's Mirror and plunging down in a torrent of rapids and waterfall into the Daoui N'douri. From this point the river is much more navigable, and supports a ready trade within the interior, aided by thriving river towns such as Olangiri.

People

The Salawi are the native people of the province, inhabiting not only the long coastline but also much of the interior. Coastal Salawi typically occupy towns and cities built directly upon the shore, even in places where the natural harborage is poor. Those of the interior dwell chiefly among the hills, where the province's famed iron mines are located, and along major overland trade routes. Many Sirdabi also make their homes in the cities of the coast, and numerous families in these towns are the product of intermarriage between Salawi and Sirdabi in generations past.

In addition to these more common peoples, pastoral Xhalantu of the Bhalanga and Dria'a tribes inhabit the Opone Grasslands, herding their cattle and growing a variety of crops in their tightly-knit village communities. Within the mazy depths of the Vast Salt Marsh, scattered bands of Kiliku also make their home, these resourceful people living off the natural bounty of the wetlands and occasionally trading with the small Salawi villages at the marsh's periphery.

Religion

As in all lands of the Sirdabi Caliphate, Azadi is the official and primary religion of Zalawi's inhabitants. Although in its early days as part of the caliphate only the elites of the larger coastal towns tended to be Azadi, now most of the population belong to the faith and the daily prayers and visits to local mosques are part of nearly everyone's ordinary life. Zaloudri in particular boasts two very fine mosques well known throughout the caliphate, and the al-Dagur shrine near the village of Maleah is a modest but respected pilgrimage site.

At the same time, numerous earlier religious traditions have survived in Zalawi and continue to color the rhythms of daily life. Respect and homage to one's ancestors remains important to the Salawi, whether these are one's personal ancestors or the forebears of the leading families of the province who are responsible for overseeing the continued prosperity of all Zalawi. The appeasement of nature spirits likewise is viewed as essential even among those who consider themselves orthodox Azadi, and various rituals to ensure fruitful harvests,good catches of fish, or smooth trade winds are commonly performed. Sometimes local imams, particularly in smaller communities, may lead prayers at the mosque and perform these more ancient rituals. In other cases both male and female shamans may carry out such duties.

Cities & Towns

• Zaloudri:
• Dour:
• Esianka:
• Halesi:
• Laascana:
• Olangiri:
• Maleah:

Points of Interest

Daoui N'douri Hills Great Thirsty Mountains

Ragged Rock Bluffs Opone Grasslands

Valley of Whistling Grass Vast Salt Marsh