Kukanpuke

Village of architects.

Also known as the "place of specialists" or the "stone village". Kukanpuke is the third settlement founded by the Followers of Oal-Mer. Established in the northern limits of the tropical rain forest, at the edge of the grassy savanna, this village is known for its infrastructure, its architects and the production of cotton and books.

Demographics

Perhaps the most representative profession of Kukanpuke would be the Tatar, responsible for the infrastructure of this and almost every other village in Kukai Amut. Thought they represent only a small part of the population, their work in architecture and urban development are considered as the best.
The kukai see Kukanpuke as a place of disciplined workers who always seek for perfection, which is why the settlement is also called a "place of specialists". More technical professions, such as the Rramuri, the Bam and the Bamuur, usually prefer to live in this village because of the infrastructure and environment, which provide the best conditions to develop their skills. The Tat, Bat and Ker are the most common professions of this settlement.
While most of the inhabitants have brown and tanned skin tones, Kukanpuke has the largest population of black skinned people. Though these are a minority, they are still more common than pale and light pale skinned people, who are usually part of the Ker profession; almost in the same way as in Oalmer.

Government

The kukai are followers of Oal-Mer and so they live under a type of theocracy, specifically the kukai theocracy.
Just like any other kukai settlement, a Nurikai is appointed for Pukamut. By doing this, the local kukai will always have a person to speak for them to representatives of other villages. The Nurikai Representative is also a symbol of unity, faith and harmony. Though this rank doesn't grant any power or right to rule, the kukai respect the Nurikai and consider them as voices of guidance with a closer connection with Oal-Mer.
The people of Kukanpuke are well organized, taking care of their own affairs more independently than other settlements. The local Nur and Nurikai have everything under control when it comes to social organization and communication with other villages. And though religion and tradition are as important here as anywhere else, the people of Kukanpuke tend to mind their own business and focus on local development. This is why some of the Tatar are also seen as leaders and representatives of the settlement, working side by side with the Nur.

Industry & Trade

Though Kukanpuke is one of the self sufficient villages in Kukai Amut, this settlement has less industrial focus than most others. This means that there are only a few relevant exports. Kukanpuke produces enough by its own, but it highly depends on imports in order to keep up with the local development and lifestyle.
Kukanpuke has the only connection to Oalnur, meaning that it is responsible for all the exports meant for that settlement.
The following table shows the most important goods and resources produced locally, as well as imports and exports between this and the other villages:

Resource/Good	Produced locally	Exported to	Imported from
Cotton		Pukamut, Amutikali, Oalnur	-
Wood and woodcraft		Pukamut (specially hardwood)	Oalnur
Blank books and "cotton paper"		Pukamut, Amutikali, Oalnur	-
Minerals (Iron, copper and limestone)		Oalnur	Amutikali, Pukamut
Clothing and fabric		Oalnur	Amutikali
Food (fruits, vegetables and mushrooms)		Oalnur	Pukamut, Amutikali

Infrastructure

Although wood is a common building material, most structures are built with stone, which is why Kukanpuke is also known as the "stone village". Two and even three stories buildings are a common sight, something extremely rare for a Kukai settlement. The local Tatar also use clay, bricks and pastes of different types in their structures. Other peculiarities of Kukanpuke are the completely flattened terrain and the well planned stone roads within the village. A main plaza occupies a large area in the center, surrounded by important buildings such as the local Nur House and the only House of Art in all Kukai Amut.
The infrastructure of Kukanpuke is considered by many as the best from all villages, even Oalmer. Every structure here is meant to have wide spaces for walking and gathering, which is why many buildings occupy a large area and are not very close to each other. This kind of infrastructure makes of Kukanpuke a place with few, but mostly big, buildings. Many of the structures are constantly being upgraded or even re-built.
Kukanpuke is one of the few places with statues and places for study meant for professions other than the Nur. Two important landmarks are the local dock, at the Two-Forest River, and the windmill. The latter is actually bigger than the one in Oalmer.
Kukanpuke has the following connections:

• Pukamut (south-west): Fluvial route from the local dock, via the Two-Forest River.
• Amutikali (south-east): Land route across the stone bridge, built over the Two-Forest River. This road also leads to Oalmer, located further south.
• Oalnur (north-east): A simple road in the grassy savanna leading to more arid lands.

History

In day 11 of Atukai-pupaili, in the year 301 K.P., Kukanpuke marks the beginning of the Expansion Era. With the success in Pukamut, almost 200 years prior to Kukanpuke's foundation, many Kukai were eager to explore and build new settlements. This feeling would inspire even the most traditional people to think of a different future. The kukai started prospecting, seeking for more valuable resources and fertile lands. Some of the Tat were already experienced explorers, allowing them to lead others who sought for "adventures".
By this time, the kukai had already found most of the locations where the villages would be established. However, theye still had trouble planning self sufficient settlements. That is why they started working on Kukanpuke. It was meant to be an experiment, an example on how villages could be founded outside the jungle, in the grassy savanna.
This process allowed the Tat, explorers and builders alike, to come up with great ideas for future settlements and buildings. However, some of these were not meant for the jungle. Eventually, what started as an experiment would lead to the foundation of Kukanpuke. This also made some of the Tat create the Tatar profession, a more specialized occupation focused on architecture.
Ever since, Kukanpuke has been considered a symbol of the kukai expansion and development. It is also the only self sufficient village located in the grassy savanna.
The name "Kukanpuke" actually means "new Kukaan". It is a reference to the Kukaan Tribe from the Ancient Era, the first group of kukai to ever exist. It is said that all other ancient tribes were born from this one. The name symbolizes how Kukanpuke served as an inspiration to found all the other villages during the Expansion Era.

Tourism

Most people visit Kukanpuke either as part of their job or in hopes of becoming experts in their professions. The last reason applies to kukai of the Tat, Rram, Rramuri, Bamuur, Bam and specially the Tatar professions.
This village usually gets visitors who want to see the infrastructure and displayed art (statues and paintings). These people usually come along with the traveling Metaat, who constantly bring resources from other villages and get the cotton from Kukanpuke. In a way, Kukanpuke is a stop for enthusiasts of more technical professions. Traditional kukai usually avoid coming to Kukanpuke as they consider it "too ordered" and sometimes "boring".
The most common stops for short-time visitors are the local Nur house, Kukanpuke's main plaza and the Rram houses. Although the House of Art and the local windmill are important landmarks, tourists usually don't mind these landmarks unless they're somehow related to their profession.

Architecture

The first thing that visitors notice in Kukanpuke is that almost everything is made with stone: wide residential buildings, the statues, well flattened roads, the main plaza, the Nur House. The few exceptions may include smithies, different Rram Houses and buildings meant for the Ker. Another characteristic of the local architecture are the wide roads, hallways, doors and separation between buildings.
The concept of house in Kukanpuke is more similar to the idea of lodging houses, or even barracks. This is why residential buildings occupy a large area and are usually two stories high. Similar buildings meant for social gathering, similar to Inns, are built in a similar way as the houses, though they may incorporate wood structures and ornaments for the interiors.
The local dock is actually a riverside building with a small slope dug by the kukai, which allows boats to run aground. This is one of the few structures with a single story and a small watchtower.
Kukanpuke's infrastructure is constantly being upgraded or re-built, meaning that some buildings may be planned to be disassembled. However, when a structure is considered "truly finished" by the local Tatar, new materials such as clay, building paste and wood will be visible inside and outside the building. The Nur House, the mill and the House of art are the most iconic permanent buildings of Kukanpuke.

Geography

Kukanpuke is located at the grassy savanna, close to the tropical rain forest in the south. Rain is not as common here as in southern and south-western regions. Some land is fertile, specially for specific kinds of tubers and cotton. Although wood is present in nearby areas, the trees are not as tall or strong as in the tropical regions of Kukai Amut.
Normal temperatures throughout the year stay around 26°C and may drop to 20°C in winter. Temperature may change drastically at nights, with a minimum of 12°C during winter and 16°C during the rest of the year. Elevation stays around 70 and 76m a.m.s.l.. Terrain raises towards the west and the north.

Natural Resources

Pukamut has access to clean and drinkable water, supplied by the Two-Forest River. The most important natural resources found within the village, its surroundings, mining and foraging areas include:

• Cotton
• Wood
• Tubers (potatoes, carrots, yucca)
• Iron (small amounts)
• Resin

Founding Date

11 of Atukai-pupaili, 301 K.P

Alternative Name(s)

Place of specialists, builder's home, stone village.

Type

Village

Population

800 (880 K.P.)

Inhabitant Demonym

Pukenian

Location under

Kukai Amut

Ruling/Owning Rank

Nurikai Representative

Owning Organization

Followers of Oal-Mer