The Council of Chiefs
The Taino of Boriken have been in contact with the Western Kingdoms for almost 150 years. During this time, the Taino have held their own against attempted aggression and economic changes and social adjustments that could have shattered them. Through it all it has been the wisdom of the Council of Chiefs that has guided them. The Council of Chiefs is the governing body of Boriken. It is founded on the principle that all the areas of Boriken should be represented when making decisions for the island. In time the treaties with the kingdom of Castillia grew in importance and the relationship grew in profitability, the military commander of the fort in The City of Puerto Rico has been given an honorary ear on the council.
There are 18 seats on the council for Chiefs, each of them is given a voice and vote. Each chief is effectively governor of his district, and each tribe has slightly different internal structure for how they see fit. This effectively makes Boriken a Confederation. The strength of this confederation comes from the Chief's intentional grooming of good relations between them. They are motivated by the intimate awareness of the dangers that surround them on all sides, from the Harionak to the ubiquitous nearness and presence of the K'Thonim. The Chiefs feel free to conduct their own military operations when they see fit in response to raids by the Harionak. However, if the Chiefs felt like they needed to actually go to war, they have a legal mechanism in place to select a War Chief from among themselves or whoever they feel would best fit the needs of the war.
Treaties with the Castillians allow them to draw on Castillian troops from the fortress if they need, as well as call them into a full war as a full ally. While Boriken warriors are easily a match for Castillian soldiers man-to-man, the ability to draw on the Castillian navy in times of war is an important advantage.
Territories
The island of Boriken proper, and the closely surrounded smaller islands.
Technological Level
Technologically and magically the Council of Chiefs is just as capable as your average Western Kingdom. However, its infrastructure is not quite as strong.
"The council works well together supporting one another in public and keeping their disagreements behind closed doors. They are cordial and respectful to one another in a way that allows them to function quite smoothly. Its impressive! I could never get that many noblemen from Europa in a room with that kind of civility." ~ Herman Santiago, Commander of the Fortress of the City of Puerto Rico
Note:
Here again I would like to note that I have done my best to integrate this real historical culture into a fantasy world. It is my hope that I have done it justice.
Type
Government, Leadership
Capital
Power Structure
Confederation
Economic System
Mixed economy
Location
Related Ethnicities
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