Bhalua

Bhalua (buh-LOO-uh) was an IU member island in the northern hemisphere.

History
Bhalua and Caalgen had been in contact since at least -700. There was fairly constant trade (except during the worst of the storm season), and members of prominent families would sometimes marry into families from the other island as a means of cementing their alliance.

Bhalua had a complicated system of irrigation, allowing them to farm in the mountains. Similar techniques were used in places in Caalgen, and it is assumed that this was borrowed from Bhalua.

Bhalua came into contact with what was soon to become the Island Union in the First Great War, when it lent aid to Caalgen. It became a member of the IU following this conflict.

Despite heavy international pressure, Bhalua remained neutral in the Representation Incident (289-304).

In 497, a massive tsunami hit the coast of Bhalua, destroying the many farmlands and killing hundreds. It was the worst tsunami that Bhalua had ever seen.

Government and Economy
For many years, Bhalua did its best to maintain a direct democracy, with policy changes being made by popular vote. While Bhalua did have the lowest population of any IU member, this means of governance was deemed untenable in the 450s, and they established a legislative body.

The current government was led by a Prime Minister and legislation is passed through a bicameral legislature. The 500 seats in the lower house, the House of the Masses, were divided by popular vote for political parties. The 100 seats in the upper house, the House of Wisdom, were elected by the members of the House of the Masses. The Prime Minister was elected by majority vote by members from the House of Wisdom, and could not be replaced by the House for a minimum of three years. Legislation had to pass through both legislative houses in order to become law.

The Prime Minister and all other ministers were allowed to be selected from either house, and the Prime Minister appointed such ministers to lead major governmental departments.

Culture and Values
On Bhalua, individuals with non-binary genders were traditionally respected individuals, and oft times community leaders. This was less the case in the modern age, but the idea of respect for the identities of others remained.

Language
Cosprak was the official language of Bhalua, and very few people still speak Bhaluan. A few could read it, but this was more a subject of study than an useful skill in everyday life. IU Sign Language (IUSL) was used by the Bhaluan Deaf community.