Vituans

Vituans are the indigenous people of the small island of Vitu, located in the western sector of the fictional Marrow Archipelago in the Southern Ocean. The island covers approximately 1,200 square kilometres and has a population of around 35,000, with a dense concentration along the western coast. The majority of Vituans are descended from a mixture of migration waves dating back more than 1,500 years, including traders from the mainland, seafarers from the eastern islands, and enslaved groups from distant archipelagos. Modern Vituans consider themselves a people with a shared ancestry, irrespective of the diverse origins of their forebears.

The geography of Vitu is dominated by a central volcanic range that rises to an elevation of 1,080 metres, providing fertile volcanic soil that supports the cultivation of root crops such as taro and cassava. The island is surrounded by a shallow carbonate reef, which shelters a river delta that feeds into a network of mangrove swamps. The climate is tropical and relatively stable throughout the year, with a wet season from November to March and a dry season from April to October. The nutrient-rich waters support a robust fishing industry and a variety of marine biodiversity that is closely monitored by the Vituan government.

Vitu became a unified polity in 1872, when the colonial colonial government in the region merged the village councils into a single national administration. An elective council, known as the Council of Elders, sets policy and is elected by the general populace. The national flag is a simple representation of a red wave over a white field, while the national anthem celebrates the harmony of nature and community.

The Vituan language, Vituanese, is an agglutinative language belonging to the Marrowic language family. It contains a complex system of honorifics that are used to convey social status, formality, and respect. English and French are also widely spoken, especially in government and commerce. The island is culturally animated by a couple of major festivals, such as the Harvest Moon Festival, which celebrates the root crops, and the Coral Festival, which honours the collection of coral.

Vitu's economy is built around agriculture, fishing, and tourism. While agriculture and fishing provide the staple diet for many Vituans, tourism is a growing source of income, especially during the dry season. The economy also benefits from the export of traditional Vituan crafts. The national tourism board is investing in infrastructure, including a new international airport, to minimize marine pollution, reduce congestion, and protect the heritage. The island also hosts several research institutes dedicated to marine biology, environmental science and sustainable tourism.