The Bikta-Bikta

The Bikta-Bikta, officially the Kingdom of the Bikta-Bikta (Wuyunti: Bikta-Bikta ba Wuktakayu; Esimawa: Xep’atangwata Piqa-Piqa) is a landlocked country located and surrounded by the countries of Asap’ul Ok’i to the south and Engokasay to the north. The mountainous country is entirely located entirely within the Bictanian Mountain range that stretches from the western portion of Lavania to Chelisangku. The name of the Bikta-Bikta literally translated as ‘Sky Abodes’. The Bikta-Bikta’s highest peak, Mount Tahuk (6977m), is one of the most sacred mountains in the Ouphepis religion (Up’epi), attracting pilgrims on a yearly basis. Bikta-Bikta is an absolute monarchy, headed by the Qabim VIII, the beetle Queen of Bikta-Bikta. As of 1020, the population of the country is 6,283,665.

The Bictian Mountains have been inhabited for the last 40,000 years, mostly by arthropod cultures and societies. Around the third millennium PV, the cult of Ouphepis gained prominence around the city of Old Yanakbun, near the modern day capital of Suhi. The first substantial Bictian polity became the Suhi Kingdom in 440 PV. In 250 AV, the Hargawan Kingdom attempted, and failed, to conquer Suhi. In 175 AV, the Suhi Kingdom collapsed, splintering into numerous princedoms which bought against each other for control. In 51 PV, Qabim I unified and consolidated control over the traditional territories of Suhi, establishing the Kingdom of the Bikta-Bikta in the process, and becoming its first ruler. The country would remain largely unchanged for the next several centuries, fading to near obscurity until Vasurian colonisation. The Bikta-Bikta successfully defended its independence during the Palso-Vasurian wars of 702-748. In 750, the Bikta-Bikta was made a protectorate of the Vasurian Empire amidst the expansionist growth of the Owanu Empire. Vasuria relinquished the Bikta-Bikta’s protectorate status in 850, and the country pursued a policy of international isolationism until 979. In 979, Queen Huhayukiba II died and was succeeded by Queen Qabim VIII who liberalised the country economically, instituting social programmes, poverty alleviation, infrastructure development and societal modernisation.

The Bikta-Bikta is home to over 45 living languages across a plethora of arthropod groups that call the Bikta-Bikta their home. The official languages of the country are Wuyunti, Esimawa, Homaqwi and Vina. Comprising 31%, the country has a significant minority of non-Arthropod races, including slugs and other land molluscs. Owing to the country’s isolation, less than 1% of the country’s population is mammalian, avian, scalie or marine, though this has been slowly increasing. Built around a matriarchal, highly caste-based society, Bictian cultural practices and traditions form a prominent part of modern Bictian life amidst globalisation and influxes of modern cultures.

Despite abandoning isolationism in the 980s, the Bikta-Bikta maintains a handful of relations with other countries. The Bikta-Bikta is a member of the International Gatrovian League, the Palsan Bank Group and the Fourth Group. It is an observer member of the North Palsan Currency Union (NPCN) and unlike the rest of the Palsan Continent, is not a member of the Palsan Movement for Free Trade (PMFT). Landlocked, the country maintains close relations between its northern and southern neighbours of Asap’ul Ok’i and Engokasay. Nevertheless, territorial disputes and irredentist politics in Engokasay have made the country shift closer to Asap’ul Ok’i since the early 1000s.

Qabim VIII has been queen of Bikta-Bikta as an absolute monarch since 979. The country’s unicameral legislature, the Wuye, is a largely rubberstamp assembly, and the country’s prime minister answers to the queen. The Bikta-Bikta has severe blasphemy laws, and concerns have been raised of government suppression of freedom of speech. Criticism of the queen is seen as taboo, as conservative Ouphepist dogma considers the monarch to be semi-divine. In 1010, the Economic Assessment Forum upgraded Bikta-Bikta to a Level II country, indicating significant economic and societal improvements in the quality of life of the average Bictian.

Getting In All visitors arriving into Bikta-Bikta must obtain a visa before arrival, both by air and land. Only nationals of Asap’ul Ok’i, Purak’ani and Xilawa may enter the country visa free for 90 days. Nationals from Bulema, Ichyx, Inosivia, Ka’akani, Sakinu’ul, Vata-Tama, Xowana may obtain tourist visas on arrival for a fee of 130,000 Bikta-Bikta Basas (or about 283 VADs), valid for 30 days. During pilgrimage season, pilgrim visas may be issued for a fee of 22,000 BBBs to pilgrims with valid Certificates of Initiation, valid for 60 days.

The Bikta-Bikta takes environmentalism seriously. All kinds of produce, including vegetables, fruits and meat may not be brought into the country. Only dried foodstuffs, such as crackers, biscuits and jerky are allowed. Failure to declare results in a fine of up to 500,000 BBB for foreigners, and in rare cases, jail time.

Visas are not multiple-entry visas. A foreigner leaving the country atomically forfeits all remaining days they have on their current visa, and must apply for a new one in order to re-enter the country.

Permanent residency in the country for foreigners is forbidden, except for diplomatic staff, volunteer workers, specialists, professionals, Ophepisian clergyperson and honorary citizens.

Get Around Unless stated otherwise, tourists may only explore the country through guided tours approved by one of several dozens of government-approved tour agency. In general, freedom of movement for foreigners is restricted to the provinces of Suhi, Kaqwati, Tahuk and Agamuba; the other 11 provinces are closed off to foreigners except for business and government-approved appointments.

Domestic Flight Despite being a remote country, the Bikta-Bikta has a remarkable 24 serviceable airport for both passenger and cargo. The most common domestic route is the Suhi International-Kaqwati route operated by government run Bictian Airways. As domestic flights are not able to compete with its more established bus and train services, expect to pay somewhat marked-up fares for flights across the country. The views from the plane are spectacular, as travellers will be able to see the tall mountains and volcanoes that scatter the country.

Bus and Train The most common form of intercity transport is by bus and train. As the Bikta-Bikta is mountainous, the Bictians have conquered this barrier by building elaborate tunnel and mountainside systems to help people navigate its unforgiving volcanic, earthquake prone terrain. Bictian Trains and Bictian Bus Services have become somewhat of a national pride for the locals, and foreigners will be pleased to find how affordable the system is.

A one way train ticket from Suhi to Bikatahuk (the capital of Tahuk province) may go as low as 8000 basas (17.45 Ð), but explodes to 40,000 during pilgrimage season. Trains are not entirely punctual; expect frequent delays of up to 30-60 minutes at any given time. During rush hour, trains are often packed. Sometimes, trains do not depart on time to satisfy passenger quotas. Be prepared to not arrive at your destination on time.

When travelling to harder to reach towns, buses are plentiful, with one-way trips going for as low as 1000 basas (2.20 Ð) going out of the capital for microbuses. Be warned that microbuses have questionable levels of comfort and safety. In rural areas, expect passengers to bring livestock on board, including ducks, chicken and larvae. Luxury buses (or executive buses) provide both locals and travellers an alternative to the lower-end buses, with rates going up to 6000 basas a trip. These buses do not allow livestock to be brought on.

Taxis Taxis are plentiful and competitive. In major cities like Suhi and Bikatahuk, all taxis are required by law to display the fare meter and are very safe. Prices are, however, fairly steep. A trip from Suhi Int’l Airport to Suhi Square can cost 38,000 basas (82.80 Ð). Outside major cities, taxis become questionable, with stories of foreigners getting robbed or at worst, kidnapped. Private hire is uncommon and very often limited to only major cities. Car and motorbike rental has become increasingly more popular as the country opens up to more and more tourists. Hitchhiking is not advised unless travelling with at least a local, as Bictians (especially rural folk) are weary of foreigners.

By Foot Hiking, mountaineering and beetle riding is by far the biggest highlight of a Bictian holiday package. However, as with areas of high elevation, altitude sickness and remoteness, common sense, and having a local guide are lifesavers.

Talk The Bikta-Bikta is amongst the most linguistically diverse countries in the world. There are four official languages of the country: Wuyunti, Esimawa, Homaqwi and Vina. Wuyunti is the most commonly spoken language at 30%, while the remaining 70% are spread across 45 languages. Wuyunti is a member of the North-Palsan language family, while Esimawa and Homaqwi form its own language family: the Nisiho languages. Vina is a language isolate, and spoken primarily by the Vina jewel beetles, south of the country.

Wuyunti is the primary lingua-franca of the country and is spoken all over the country, with varying degrees of fluency. In major cities with significant foreign presence, locals (especially the younger generation) are likely to be able to communicate in one or more international languages such as including Ka’akani, Vasurian, Heclivinian and Sorgunese, in addition to Wuyunti. However, outside major cities, Wuyunti proficiency diminishes, as with a sharp decrease in proficiency of major world languages.

Wuyunti is a fairly simple language to learn for the average Vasurian or Heclivinian speaker. Most locals are exceedingly friendly and make it habit to forgive a learner for blunders. All road signs are written in Wuyunti and Vasurian scripts to aid reading. In fact, Wuyunti has two writing systems: Native and Vasurian, the latter of which was introduced into school curricula in the 980s to help students learn how to read Vasurian scripts.

Naming taboos are exceedingly important in Bictian society. It is vital that visitors must not address certain family members by their first names, let alone addressing them by the second person: ‘you’. When visiting a Bictian home, one must refer to their host’s spouse, parents, children and in-laws by various honorifics. For instance, wekabni for the host’s spouse, imayitay for the host’s mother, or tawaki for the host’s in-laws (regardless of gender). While foreigners are not expected to remember these terms, locals greatly appreciate any effort to learn of these naming taboos.