BlackMage
May 26th, 2007, 12:46 AM
The Birth of the Yolgnu Nation: 1492-1501
In 1493, the Yolgnu existed primarily as a concept; a series of traditions, religious practices, and linguistic dialects, with all those identifying themselves as 'Yolgnu' linking themselves to a particular territory: specifically, eastern Marege (OTL's eastern Top End)
Beyond that, however, there was very little in the way of unity. The Yolgnu were divided into clan groups and bands, who functioned largely autonomously. Without any significant foreign threats, there was no reason for unity-or, indeed, technological developments. So the Yolgnu survived, for tens of thousands of years, largely as they always had.
However, Yolgnu history can be said to have truly begun, from the day the Invaders arrived. The first contact with the traders dubbed generally the 'Macassans' could not have begun more inauspiciously. The exhausted and lonely traders attempted to abduct a party of Yolgnu women; the Yolgnu reacted violently, spearing several Macassans and nearly sinking their boat. Unlike the other Aboriginal tribes of Marege, who generally experienced positive first contacts, the Yolgnu recognised, from the beginning, the threat which Macassan influence posed to traditional tribal culture.
To this end, the Yolgnu began to unify politically, through a series of corroborees and tribal meetings. It was decided to oppose the Macassans, and hopefully to drive them back where they came from. A previously insignificant band 'headman', Djerrkura (note: obviously there are no records of his existence in OTL, but I needed a name and it's a Yolgnu family name, so there's no reason why he couldn't have existed), rose to prominence for his vitriolically anti-Macassan stance. According to legend, one of his sisters was one of those women attacked by the Macassans.
The Macassans had no understanding of tribal borders. As such, trepangers frequently strayed into Yolgnu territory, where they were immediately set upon by warriors. Djerrkura, acting in defiance of tradition, recognised the need to compensate for the vast technology gap. Macassan technologies were adapted for Yolgnu use, and many Macassan ships were commandeered with the help of bribed or intimidated crews. This served as a means for piracy against Macassan traders.
Due to their comparative size (unlike many other tribes in the region, who comprised only hundreds of individuals, there were over two thousand Yolgnu), the Yolgnu came to dominate the burgeoning anti-Macassan movements. Through both ideological sympathy and intimidation, a loose confederacy of tribes began to form, devoted to opposing the Macassans.
The First Yolgnu War of 1499-1501 proved disastrous for both sides. The Macassan invasion force floundered, unable to strike at the Yolgnu, and proved a heavy drain on the Gowan treasury. The Yolgnu, however, faced even harsher conditions. The Macassans' tribal allies, eager to gain favour, committed atrocities against Yolgnu civilian populations, most notably in the Gagadju Massacre. Far more deadly, however, was a virus brought by the soldiers: smallpox. The disease wreaked havoc on the Yolgnu population, killing over half the population, most notably the previously dominant elders. This allowed Djerrkura, already a hero for his guerrilla activities, to gain effective political control over the Yolgnu.
But even he realised that the Macassans could not be driven out. Instead, he decided that to preserve Yolgnu independence, an accomodation must be made. In the Makaratta (treaty) that ended the war in 1501, predictably harsh terms were imposed: the Yolgnu allies were annexed, and they were forced to swear friendship to Gowa. Yet they were granted their independence, and Djerrkura was recognised as bate (prince) of Yolgnu. He quickly set about creating the foundations for an independent Yolgnu state along Gowan lines. A council of elders was convened, to serve a similar role to the Bate Salapang, and the rudiments of a ministry were formed.
However, the Yolgnu still faced formidable difficulties. Their population had been ravaged, the war had led to the burning and destruction of much of their territories, and their population were inevitably beginning to gravitate towards settlements on the coast. However, such challenges remained for another decade to resolve.
1494:
The newly crowned Karaeng of Gowa, I-Pakere'tau Karaeng Tunijallo'-ri Pasukki' Somba-ri Gowa (henceforth referred to as I'Pakere'tau I) is informed by his Shahbandar (Foreign Affairs Minister) of the decline in trepang stocks across Indonesia. The young king is advised by the Bate Salapang (the supreme council of nobles, akin to a Parliament) to send ships to discover new trepang stocks.
1495:
The first Macassan voyages of exploration, sponsored by the king, set out. The first three disappear without trace. The fourth, however, encounters a large, tropical land to the south. First contact between the Macassans and Yolgnu occurs-the Yolgnu spear the ship's captain, and drive their crew back into the sea. It is not an auspicious start. The ship's remaining crew return to Makassar with news of fantastic riches and abundant stocks of trepang. The new land is dubbed 'Marege' by the king.
1496:
At the start of the next trepang season, the first Macassan praus begin to arrive, cautiously, in Marege. Those which land in Yolgnu territory are attacked. Some other tribes, however, react in a friendly fashion. The first stocks of trepang are harvested and returned to Makassar, from where they are traded on to China. However, the land to the south does not yet gain much interest; there are still trepang stocks in Gowan waters, albeit diminishing rapidly, and Marege is too far away and too hostile to yet risk a business venture.
1497:
The Yolgnu convene a meeting, or corroborree, to discuss the issue of 'the invaders'. In their first contact, the Macassans attempted to kidnap three Yolgnu women, sparking a skirmish. The various headmen of the Yolgnu bands agree to a policy of 'total resistance'. They will attempt to drive off the Macassans with a policy of military force.
However, this year sees a massive rise in the number of Macassan ships arriving off the coast of Marege. The Gunbalang nation, willing to cooperate with the newcomers, sign a treaty with Macassan fishermen: in exchange for technology, they will provide labour for the Macassans and allow the construction of temporary camps on their land. Some other Aboriginal tribes follow suit; most others, however, remain cautiously indifferent.
Three praus (Macassan fishing ships) attempt to fish in Yolgnu waters. They are attacked by Yolgnu fishermen. Over two dozen Macassans are killed, and their boats are commandeered. The remaining crew agree to aid the Yolgnu in exchange for their lives.
1498:
The fifth year since the discovery of Marege sees the largest fleet of praus exploring Marege's waters yet. Amongst these is a pearling fleet, which explores the coast of Kai Djawa, setting up temporary pearling camps along the coast. The local Aboriginal people are cautious, but avoid conflict.
In Marege, more Aboriginal tribes sign treaties with the Macassan invaders, allowing for the construction of trepanging camps on their land for up to six months at a time. The people of Marege not only provide labour for the Macassans but also supply tortoise-shell, pearls and pearl-shell. Tribute payments are made as well to local Aboriginal groups for the right to fish in their waters. In exchange, the people of Marege obtain dugout canoes with sails and stone anchors, bronze fish hooks, harpoons with detachable heads, iron, iron knives and axes, glass, pipes, tobacco, cloth in the form of calico and wool, belts, beads, string, alcohol and some foods. In some cases, local leaders are taken back to Makassar, where they are paraded before the karaeng.
The Yolgnu begin to form an anti-Macassan alliance. Their stolen ships prove useful as a bargaining tool, as technology can be used as a means for securing allies. They begin to engage in acts of piracy off the coast of Marege, attacking Macassan sailors, taking their ships, and killing their crews.
By the beginning of 1499, the Top End is dominated by two powers in rivalry: the Macassans, with their assortment of local allies, and the Yolgnu, with their anti-Gowan treaties. The stage is set for war.
1499:
The fourth year of trepang fishing in Marege brings closer links between many Aboriginal tribes and the Macassans. Some tribes have become nearly sedentary, using Macassan fishing technology to feed villages. Needless to say, these tribes form close links with the Macassans, to the extent of economic dependence upon Macassan trade. In particular, western Marege is dominated by Macassan 'treaty tribes', bands linked by economic exchanges with Makassar.
However, the Yolgnu continue to dominate eastern Marege. As the largest tribe in pure numbers, and the only united nation (the rest of the tribes are divided up into 'bands', who function independently), they are able to function as an effective fighting force against the Macassans, and to intimidate other bands into joining their cause. They begin to openly attack Macassans in the territory of other nations, and attack praus all along the coast. In retaliation, pro-Macassan tribes carry out attacks on the Yolgnu.
The exploitation of pearls continues in Kai Djawa, where some pearling stations have come to operate as semi-permanent settlements. The scarce food and water in the region leaves the tribes there open to advanced Macassan technology for fishing, leading to very good relations.
Finally, by mid-year the Yolgnu threat becomes intolerable. The karaeng decides, for the protection of Macassan fishermen, to declare war on the Yolgnu. The First Yolgnu War begins.
Gowan soldiers are dispatched south on warships. The small Yolgnu fleet is destroyed quickly by far superior firepower. The Gowan army land in the territory of the pro-Macassan Gunbalang, and advance east. Pro-Yolgnu tribes are massacred.
However, the Gowans quickly become stalemated in a guerrilla war against the Yolgnu. As there are no permanent settlements to occupy, the Yolgnu can rapidly vanish into the bush; dozens of soldiers are killed in raids. In retaliation, any person believed to be of Yolgnu culture is killed on sight.
A permanent military base, Tunijallo, is set up in occupied Yolgnu territory. It becomes the first permanent Gowan settlement in Marege. The karaeng declares the annexation of all Yolgnu and anti-Macassan tribal territory.
1500:
The war continues to go badly for both sides; the Yolgnu cannot score a decisive victory to drive away the Gowans, yet the difficulties of sustained guerrilla warfare cost the kingdom heavily.
In desperation, the Gowans turn to the use of proxies. Pro-Macassan tribes are used for the bulk of the fighting, and commit some of the war's most notable atrocities, including the massacre of Yolgnu women and children.
Djerrkura, a Yolgnu resistance fighter, becomes unofficial leader of the Yolgnu through his efforts as a general and a warlord. The demands of the war make his rule increasingly authoritarian.
In Kai Djawa, the first permanent Yolgnu trading station, for pearls and trepang, is established. Similar settlements are set up in Marege.
Macassan economic influence begins to spread inland through the use of proxies. The first treaty with an inland tribe is concluded, by which they will supply labour for technology and food.
Smallpox is introduced into Marege, for the first time. The effects are, predictably, catastrophic.
1501:
The war enters its third year, with no signs of abating. In desperation, the Shahbandur (Gowan foreign minister) decides to enter into negotiations with the Yolgnu. The Yolgnu, heavily weakened by smallpox, agree.
In the First Makaratta (treaty), Djerrkura is recognised as bate (prince) of the Yolgnu, independent of Makassar but in a pact of permanent friendship. His allies are not so fortunate, with Gowa annexing the territory of any tribe to ally with the Yolgnu.
The ravages of smallpox force the tribes of Marege to gravitate towards the Gowan settlements along the coast, where they are given food for labour. They remain nominally independent, but the collapse of Yolgnu's alliances effectively grants the Gowans regional hegemony. Similar processes take place in Kai Djawa.
Meanwhile, Gowan praus continue to explore Marege, reaching the eastern side of OTL's Gulf of Carpentaria. Several trading stations are established, but many tribes, newly contacted, react badly to the intruders.
In Yolgnu, the population begin to gravitate to fishing settlements along the coast, established by Djerrkura.
The Consolidation of the Yolgnu Nation: 1502-1511
Part 1
By the end of the First Yolgnu War, Djerrkura had been established as paramount leader of the Yolgnu. This status was confirmed in the First Makaratta, which established him as bate, or prince, of Yolgnu.
Djerrkura was a warlord, and ruled his nation as such. Recognising the adaptability of the Gowan state system, he established a Yolgnu Bate Salapang, a parliament of respected elders and military leaders. The devastation of smallpox led to the realisation that, to prevent conquest by one of the ambitious military powers off the Australian coast, the traditional Yolgnu life was not, in the long term, viable.
Djerrkura's 'land clearance' policies were brutal, harsh but ultimately effective. Coastal tribes were forced into fishing settlements along the coast; as no crops had yet been established in Marege due to the inclement climate, their survival was dependent upon fluctuating fish stocks. The already imperilled Yolgnu population was put at further risk by growing exploitation of their waters. Each village maintained, to a degree, traditional forms of government, with a strong emphasis on respect for elders and tribal consensus. However, Djerrkura's authority was never seriously questioned.
Djerrkura maintained an isolationist foreign policy for the first years of his reign; however, following the defeat of Gowa in the Four Months War of 1504, the markets of Marege were opened up to the ambitious principalities of Sulawesi, and wider Indonesia. Djerrkura, weakened by the recurrant wounds from the First Yolgnu War which would eventually take his life, delegated much of his foreign policy authority to the Bate Salapang, which recognised the importance of diplomacy. A treaty of friendship was signed with the Majahapit Empire and Tallok. The Yolgnu nation began a military buildup, with fishing fleets trawling the entire Royal Gulf (OTL Gulf of Carpentaria)
This new strength would be put to the test in 1506. The principalities of Siang and Maros, in alliance, began a war of conquest against the Yolgnu, hoping to establish a position of predominance over Marege. The war, however, quickly turned disastrous. The fleet of Tallok bested Siang, burning their port and forcing them into submission, and Yolgnu warriors overran areas on Marege annexed by or in alliance with the enemy powers. A dramatic underestimation of Yolgnu strength led to a quick capitulation by Siang, although the war against Maros extended into 1507. The post-war treaty was harsh; the Yolgnu territories were extended, and-in a particularly brutal clause-half the Siang and Maros fleets were ceded to Yolgnu.
Just 15 years previously, Yolgnu had been a loose assortment of hunter-gatherer bands. Now, they were a confederation of fishing villages, armed with 16th century military technology, and with hegemony over half of Marege.
(Posts in timeline format and the second half of this decade are upcoming; this is just a general overview)
In 1493, the Yolgnu existed primarily as a concept; a series of traditions, religious practices, and linguistic dialects, with all those identifying themselves as 'Yolgnu' linking themselves to a particular territory: specifically, eastern Marege (OTL's eastern Top End)
Beyond that, however, there was very little in the way of unity. The Yolgnu were divided into clan groups and bands, who functioned largely autonomously. Without any significant foreign threats, there was no reason for unity-or, indeed, technological developments. So the Yolgnu survived, for tens of thousands of years, largely as they always had.
However, Yolgnu history can be said to have truly begun, from the day the Invaders arrived. The first contact with the traders dubbed generally the 'Macassans' could not have begun more inauspiciously. The exhausted and lonely traders attempted to abduct a party of Yolgnu women; the Yolgnu reacted violently, spearing several Macassans and nearly sinking their boat. Unlike the other Aboriginal tribes of Marege, who generally experienced positive first contacts, the Yolgnu recognised, from the beginning, the threat which Macassan influence posed to traditional tribal culture.
To this end, the Yolgnu began to unify politically, through a series of corroborees and tribal meetings. It was decided to oppose the Macassans, and hopefully to drive them back where they came from. A previously insignificant band 'headman', Djerrkura (note: obviously there are no records of his existence in OTL, but I needed a name and it's a Yolgnu family name, so there's no reason why he couldn't have existed), rose to prominence for his vitriolically anti-Macassan stance. According to legend, one of his sisters was one of those women attacked by the Macassans.
The Macassans had no understanding of tribal borders. As such, trepangers frequently strayed into Yolgnu territory, where they were immediately set upon by warriors. Djerrkura, acting in defiance of tradition, recognised the need to compensate for the vast technology gap. Macassan technologies were adapted for Yolgnu use, and many Macassan ships were commandeered with the help of bribed or intimidated crews. This served as a means for piracy against Macassan traders.
Due to their comparative size (unlike many other tribes in the region, who comprised only hundreds of individuals, there were over two thousand Yolgnu), the Yolgnu came to dominate the burgeoning anti-Macassan movements. Through both ideological sympathy and intimidation, a loose confederacy of tribes began to form, devoted to opposing the Macassans.
The First Yolgnu War of 1499-1501 proved disastrous for both sides. The Macassan invasion force floundered, unable to strike at the Yolgnu, and proved a heavy drain on the Gowan treasury. The Yolgnu, however, faced even harsher conditions. The Macassans' tribal allies, eager to gain favour, committed atrocities against Yolgnu civilian populations, most notably in the Gagadju Massacre. Far more deadly, however, was a virus brought by the soldiers: smallpox. The disease wreaked havoc on the Yolgnu population, killing over half the population, most notably the previously dominant elders. This allowed Djerrkura, already a hero for his guerrilla activities, to gain effective political control over the Yolgnu.
But even he realised that the Macassans could not be driven out. Instead, he decided that to preserve Yolgnu independence, an accomodation must be made. In the Makaratta (treaty) that ended the war in 1501, predictably harsh terms were imposed: the Yolgnu allies were annexed, and they were forced to swear friendship to Gowa. Yet they were granted their independence, and Djerrkura was recognised as bate (prince) of Yolgnu. He quickly set about creating the foundations for an independent Yolgnu state along Gowan lines. A council of elders was convened, to serve a similar role to the Bate Salapang, and the rudiments of a ministry were formed.
However, the Yolgnu still faced formidable difficulties. Their population had been ravaged, the war had led to the burning and destruction of much of their territories, and their population were inevitably beginning to gravitate towards settlements on the coast. However, such challenges remained for another decade to resolve.
1494:
The newly crowned Karaeng of Gowa, I-Pakere'tau Karaeng Tunijallo'-ri Pasukki' Somba-ri Gowa (henceforth referred to as I'Pakere'tau I) is informed by his Shahbandar (Foreign Affairs Minister) of the decline in trepang stocks across Indonesia. The young king is advised by the Bate Salapang (the supreme council of nobles, akin to a Parliament) to send ships to discover new trepang stocks.
1495:
The first Macassan voyages of exploration, sponsored by the king, set out. The first three disappear without trace. The fourth, however, encounters a large, tropical land to the south. First contact between the Macassans and Yolgnu occurs-the Yolgnu spear the ship's captain, and drive their crew back into the sea. It is not an auspicious start. The ship's remaining crew return to Makassar with news of fantastic riches and abundant stocks of trepang. The new land is dubbed 'Marege' by the king.
1496:
At the start of the next trepang season, the first Macassan praus begin to arrive, cautiously, in Marege. Those which land in Yolgnu territory are attacked. Some other tribes, however, react in a friendly fashion. The first stocks of trepang are harvested and returned to Makassar, from where they are traded on to China. However, the land to the south does not yet gain much interest; there are still trepang stocks in Gowan waters, albeit diminishing rapidly, and Marege is too far away and too hostile to yet risk a business venture.
1497:
The Yolgnu convene a meeting, or corroborree, to discuss the issue of 'the invaders'. In their first contact, the Macassans attempted to kidnap three Yolgnu women, sparking a skirmish. The various headmen of the Yolgnu bands agree to a policy of 'total resistance'. They will attempt to drive off the Macassans with a policy of military force.
However, this year sees a massive rise in the number of Macassan ships arriving off the coast of Marege. The Gunbalang nation, willing to cooperate with the newcomers, sign a treaty with Macassan fishermen: in exchange for technology, they will provide labour for the Macassans and allow the construction of temporary camps on their land. Some other Aboriginal tribes follow suit; most others, however, remain cautiously indifferent.
Three praus (Macassan fishing ships) attempt to fish in Yolgnu waters. They are attacked by Yolgnu fishermen. Over two dozen Macassans are killed, and their boats are commandeered. The remaining crew agree to aid the Yolgnu in exchange for their lives.
1498:
The fifth year since the discovery of Marege sees the largest fleet of praus exploring Marege's waters yet. Amongst these is a pearling fleet, which explores the coast of Kai Djawa, setting up temporary pearling camps along the coast. The local Aboriginal people are cautious, but avoid conflict.
In Marege, more Aboriginal tribes sign treaties with the Macassan invaders, allowing for the construction of trepanging camps on their land for up to six months at a time. The people of Marege not only provide labour for the Macassans but also supply tortoise-shell, pearls and pearl-shell. Tribute payments are made as well to local Aboriginal groups for the right to fish in their waters. In exchange, the people of Marege obtain dugout canoes with sails and stone anchors, bronze fish hooks, harpoons with detachable heads, iron, iron knives and axes, glass, pipes, tobacco, cloth in the form of calico and wool, belts, beads, string, alcohol and some foods. In some cases, local leaders are taken back to Makassar, where they are paraded before the karaeng.
The Yolgnu begin to form an anti-Macassan alliance. Their stolen ships prove useful as a bargaining tool, as technology can be used as a means for securing allies. They begin to engage in acts of piracy off the coast of Marege, attacking Macassan sailors, taking their ships, and killing their crews.
By the beginning of 1499, the Top End is dominated by two powers in rivalry: the Macassans, with their assortment of local allies, and the Yolgnu, with their anti-Gowan treaties. The stage is set for war.
1499:
The fourth year of trepang fishing in Marege brings closer links between many Aboriginal tribes and the Macassans. Some tribes have become nearly sedentary, using Macassan fishing technology to feed villages. Needless to say, these tribes form close links with the Macassans, to the extent of economic dependence upon Macassan trade. In particular, western Marege is dominated by Macassan 'treaty tribes', bands linked by economic exchanges with Makassar.
However, the Yolgnu continue to dominate eastern Marege. As the largest tribe in pure numbers, and the only united nation (the rest of the tribes are divided up into 'bands', who function independently), they are able to function as an effective fighting force against the Macassans, and to intimidate other bands into joining their cause. They begin to openly attack Macassans in the territory of other nations, and attack praus all along the coast. In retaliation, pro-Macassan tribes carry out attacks on the Yolgnu.
The exploitation of pearls continues in Kai Djawa, where some pearling stations have come to operate as semi-permanent settlements. The scarce food and water in the region leaves the tribes there open to advanced Macassan technology for fishing, leading to very good relations.
Finally, by mid-year the Yolgnu threat becomes intolerable. The karaeng decides, for the protection of Macassan fishermen, to declare war on the Yolgnu. The First Yolgnu War begins.
Gowan soldiers are dispatched south on warships. The small Yolgnu fleet is destroyed quickly by far superior firepower. The Gowan army land in the territory of the pro-Macassan Gunbalang, and advance east. Pro-Yolgnu tribes are massacred.
However, the Gowans quickly become stalemated in a guerrilla war against the Yolgnu. As there are no permanent settlements to occupy, the Yolgnu can rapidly vanish into the bush; dozens of soldiers are killed in raids. In retaliation, any person believed to be of Yolgnu culture is killed on sight.
A permanent military base, Tunijallo, is set up in occupied Yolgnu territory. It becomes the first permanent Gowan settlement in Marege. The karaeng declares the annexation of all Yolgnu and anti-Macassan tribal territory.
1500:
The war continues to go badly for both sides; the Yolgnu cannot score a decisive victory to drive away the Gowans, yet the difficulties of sustained guerrilla warfare cost the kingdom heavily.
In desperation, the Gowans turn to the use of proxies. Pro-Macassan tribes are used for the bulk of the fighting, and commit some of the war's most notable atrocities, including the massacre of Yolgnu women and children.
Djerrkura, a Yolgnu resistance fighter, becomes unofficial leader of the Yolgnu through his efforts as a general and a warlord. The demands of the war make his rule increasingly authoritarian.
In Kai Djawa, the first permanent Yolgnu trading station, for pearls and trepang, is established. Similar settlements are set up in Marege.
Macassan economic influence begins to spread inland through the use of proxies. The first treaty with an inland tribe is concluded, by which they will supply labour for technology and food.
Smallpox is introduced into Marege, for the first time. The effects are, predictably, catastrophic.
1501:
The war enters its third year, with no signs of abating. In desperation, the Shahbandur (Gowan foreign minister) decides to enter into negotiations with the Yolgnu. The Yolgnu, heavily weakened by smallpox, agree.
In the First Makaratta (treaty), Djerrkura is recognised as bate (prince) of the Yolgnu, independent of Makassar but in a pact of permanent friendship. His allies are not so fortunate, with Gowa annexing the territory of any tribe to ally with the Yolgnu.
The ravages of smallpox force the tribes of Marege to gravitate towards the Gowan settlements along the coast, where they are given food for labour. They remain nominally independent, but the collapse of Yolgnu's alliances effectively grants the Gowans regional hegemony. Similar processes take place in Kai Djawa.
Meanwhile, Gowan praus continue to explore Marege, reaching the eastern side of OTL's Gulf of Carpentaria. Several trading stations are established, but many tribes, newly contacted, react badly to the intruders.
In Yolgnu, the population begin to gravitate to fishing settlements along the coast, established by Djerrkura.
The Consolidation of the Yolgnu Nation: 1502-1511
Part 1
By the end of the First Yolgnu War, Djerrkura had been established as paramount leader of the Yolgnu. This status was confirmed in the First Makaratta, which established him as bate, or prince, of Yolgnu.
Djerrkura was a warlord, and ruled his nation as such. Recognising the adaptability of the Gowan state system, he established a Yolgnu Bate Salapang, a parliament of respected elders and military leaders. The devastation of smallpox led to the realisation that, to prevent conquest by one of the ambitious military powers off the Australian coast, the traditional Yolgnu life was not, in the long term, viable.
Djerrkura's 'land clearance' policies were brutal, harsh but ultimately effective. Coastal tribes were forced into fishing settlements along the coast; as no crops had yet been established in Marege due to the inclement climate, their survival was dependent upon fluctuating fish stocks. The already imperilled Yolgnu population was put at further risk by growing exploitation of their waters. Each village maintained, to a degree, traditional forms of government, with a strong emphasis on respect for elders and tribal consensus. However, Djerrkura's authority was never seriously questioned.
Djerrkura maintained an isolationist foreign policy for the first years of his reign; however, following the defeat of Gowa in the Four Months War of 1504, the markets of Marege were opened up to the ambitious principalities of Sulawesi, and wider Indonesia. Djerrkura, weakened by the recurrant wounds from the First Yolgnu War which would eventually take his life, delegated much of his foreign policy authority to the Bate Salapang, which recognised the importance of diplomacy. A treaty of friendship was signed with the Majahapit Empire and Tallok. The Yolgnu nation began a military buildup, with fishing fleets trawling the entire Royal Gulf (OTL Gulf of Carpentaria)
This new strength would be put to the test in 1506. The principalities of Siang and Maros, in alliance, began a war of conquest against the Yolgnu, hoping to establish a position of predominance over Marege. The war, however, quickly turned disastrous. The fleet of Tallok bested Siang, burning their port and forcing them into submission, and Yolgnu warriors overran areas on Marege annexed by or in alliance with the enemy powers. A dramatic underestimation of Yolgnu strength led to a quick capitulation by Siang, although the war against Maros extended into 1507. The post-war treaty was harsh; the Yolgnu territories were extended, and-in a particularly brutal clause-half the Siang and Maros fleets were ceded to Yolgnu.
Just 15 years previously, Yolgnu had been a loose assortment of hunter-gatherer bands. Now, they were a confederation of fishing villages, armed with 16th century military technology, and with hegemony over half of Marege.
(Posts in timeline format and the second half of this decade are upcoming; this is just a general overview)