Kitumang
Kitumang The Archduchess' Castle in Kitumang | |
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| 2nd, 2011 |
2nd, 2011 |
| Motto | Through the Arts, Beauty Blossoms |
| Establishment — City — As Province Capital |
circa 4,150 B.C.(?) circa 542 B.C. (?) |
| Government — Mayor |
Bogumiła Luiza July 19, 2008 |
| Official status | Province Capital of Konxam |
| Administrative Division | Kitumang Metropolitan City |
| Land area — City — Metro area |
6,104.82 sq km 10,102.32 sq km |
| Population density — City — Metro area |
2,099 p / sq km 1,314 p / sq km |
| Time zone Summer Time |
VULT DST VULDLST |
| Sister City | Uliesa, Vekaiyu |
Kitumang is the second largest city in Vulshain, and is the capital of the Province of Konxam. The city is considered a center of the arts, as can be exhibited by the Kitumang's architecture, artworks, theaters, and museums.
A few of the city districts are named after a certain vulpine pagan deity: Irklesko, Mikro, La, Reko, and Gro. It is easy to tell which of these districts you are in by looking for that pagan deity's temple.
The demonym for a resident of Kitumang is Kitumanite.
Contents |
History
Establishment
Named after the warrior chieftain who ruled the area in 4,150 B.C., Kitumang was founded on where the Ryikon River that flows from Southern Yugoslavia and Vulshain's Ryrinina River connect. Because of this, Kitumang became an extremely important trading center. Because of its closeness to the rivers, the city has several canals and bridges. Many of the bridges are named after many of the vulpine pagan gods and goddesses. One of the most impressive pagan temples in Kitumang is the Forest Shrine of Mikro, the god of trees and plants, located in the Mikro District. The Forest Shrine is decorated in an array of reliefs and images depicting trees and plants. In the center of the temple is a statue of Mikro himself with four jaku trees, representing the four winds: east, west, north, and south. The signifance of the four trees is a tribute to Mikro's father, Irklesko, the god of the wind.
The Wind Temple of Irklesko is not too far from the Forest Shrine, located in the Irklesko District, is decorated with symbols of clouds. A statue of Irklesko marks the entrance into the temple.
Arrival of Vayan Catholicism
After the arrival of Vayan Catholic missionaries from Vekaiyu around the 8th century AD, the first Vayan Catholic church was built. Unlike other later Vayan Catholic churches and cathedrals in Vulshain, which were influenced by the architecture of Eastern Orthodox churches, the Shining Cathedral of St. Sentia exhibits strong characteristics of cathedrals and churches found in Vekaiyu. There are twelve bell towers, because the number twelve is considered the most important holy number in Vayan Catholic mysticism. The Cathedral of St. Sentia is named after Saint Tertia Sentia, a Vayan Catholic missionary who was known for her kindness and piety. According to legend, which many consider to be true, she gave the homeless blankets and clothes that she made herself as the rags they wore weren't enough to keep them warm. She was called the Shining Shepherd, because she would always carry a shepard's staff with a bell attached to it as well as her shining smile. It was said that St. Sentia's smile was enough to lift the spirits of the most depressed and hopeless. Her body was interred in the Shining Cathedral. A statue of her stands inside the Cathedral. Many of the stained glass windows and murals depict many of the legends and stories about her, including the one mentioned earlier.
Despite the arrival of Vayan Catholicism and, later in the 9th century AD, the arrival of Laiatan Protestantism, the old pagan temples and shrines were preserved as the rulers wished to remind people of their ancestral heritage.
The First Archduke
In the 10th century AD, the first archduke came to power. Konxam was in the midst of a power struggle between Duke Desmond Montague of Hathebois and Duke Felix Björn Krystyn of Konxam. After two months of fighting, the Duke of Konxam defeated the Duke of Hathebois and became the undisputed Archduke of Konxam.
Wars of the Feuding Cities
During the 14th century AD, Kitumang was ruled by the Archduchy of Konxam. The rulers of the city-state of Konxam were members of the House of the Nine-Tailed Fox, founded by the First Archduke Felix Björn Krystyn . Its most famous city-state ruler was Archduchess Kitsuniva Nebisaselari, Knight of the House of the Nine-Tailed Fox. Many statues were built throughout the city in her honor, with the most famous, the Armored Vixen, being the most renowned. She was well-loved for her strong devotion in Vayan Catholicism, support of the arts and nature, and desire for tolerance and equality. After the Wars of the Feuding Cities and her marriage to King Jorkett Karabe VI, ruler of the City-State Kingdom of Velra, she was crowned and proclaimed the Tsaritsa and Queen of all Vulshain, and Royal Wife of the King. Vulshain's capital, Kitsuniva, was renamed in honor of her. After her death and rise to sainthood, she was buried in Kitsuniva beside her husband. However, a lock of her hair and pieces of her fur were buried in the Great Mausoleum of the Archduchy. After the establishment of the central government of a unified Vulshain, Konxam became a province like the rest of the city-states.
Later Years
Despite the city's lose of power after the Wars of the Feuding Cities, Kitumang continued to prosper and grow. The arts were celebrated and embraced by the citizens of Kitumang. Many famous people came here to study music, dance, and painting.
During the rise of power of Merrill Rivers and the transition to the Democratic Republic of Vulshain, Kitumang became an important center for the Confederate Resistance Intelligence. The leader of the Resistance Intelligence was known only as the Watchful Eye. To this day, the true identity of the Watchful Eye remains a mystery. The Republican Armed Forces Offices were stormed and raided when Vekaiyun and Southern Yugoslavian troops approached the city. The citizens of Kitumang rose up and overpowered the Republican soldiers. Lt. Colonel Elizabeth Morganson, the Republican commander of the city's Republican soldiers, was arrested and put on trial after the Monarchical Revolution.
Modern Times
Kitumang is considered a magificent city. During the 2003-2006 Vulshainian Civil War, the city was the scene of a small conflict between the Revolutionary Republican Armed Movement (RRAM) and Kitumanite police and soldiers. The RRAM were defeated and driven out of the city, although several police officers, a dozen Confederate soldiers, and hundreds of innocent civilians were injured and killed during the Defense of Kitumang in 2005. The city quickly rebuilt itself and people went on living.
The City Itself
Kitumang is a city of beauty. Sometimes called the 'Artists and Lovers' Paradise,' the city is renowned for its beautiful architecture, splendid theaters, and exquistine gardens. Kitumang is a popular honeymoon destination for couples as well as popular place to date. The city has very strict anti-litter and anti-smoking laws.
Kitumang strongly competes, and sometimes rivals, Kitsuniva, as a major and popular tourist destination. Thirty-seven million tourists visit annually, with seventeen million of whom are foreign visitors; Kitsuniva gets annually forty million tourists, with nineteen million being from foreign countries.
Art galleries and museums are visited frequently by tourists every year.
The Archduchess' Castle served as a residence for many of Vulshain's royalty for countless generations. It now serves as a private residence for the Monarch of Vulshain. However, when the Vulshainian monarch is not staying there, the castle is opened for tours. The recent monarch, King Samuil Rainard has elected to have the castle opened to the public regardless of whether he is there.
The city of Kitumang is well-liked by Vekaiyun tourists, mainly because there is a great deal of Vekaiyun influence here. Some Vekaiyuns joke that upon arriving in Kitumang, it is like they never left Vekaiyu.
Kitumang, because of its renowned art and fashion schools, makes it one of the fashion capitals of the world. Kitumanite fashion is regarded as being practical, but elegant and highly refined at the same time, concentrating more on stylish and luxurious ready-to-wear clothes, rather than extravagant haute couture. Many Vekaiyuns adore Kitumang's formal and elegant clothing selections.
The arts are enjoyed here. Kitumang has many dance studios, art schools, and music academies, such as the famous Nureikreyev Theatre. Some of the most famous students of Kitumang's art culture are Svetlana Milirina, Vekaiyun immigrant and wife of Vulshainian King Alaric Aurelivolod, Queen Sybilla Merririn, Queen Dowager Anatansya Olekalexein, and Captain Taisyia Rainard, older sister to King Samuil Rainard.
Kitumang is also known for its beautiful, ornate, and intricate glass-works. Kitumanite glass-makers are renowned for their amazing and mastery of creating elaborate, colorful, and breath-taking glass arts. Kitumanite glass art is famous not only in the East Pacific region, but around the world as well.
Cuisine of Kitumang
The cuisine of Kitumang is heavily influenced by Vekaiyun cuisine. However, because not all lobos like spicy food, many restaurants serve foods commonly eaten in Southern Yugoslavia, as well as those enjoyed by Vekaiyuns.
The Citizens
The Kitumanites are very open-minded, but they much prefer customs and traditions similar to those found in Vekaiyu. This should come to no surprise as many Vekaiyun immigrants and expats live here.
