Itif

An Itif (pl. ihitif) is a form of socio-political organisation peculiar to the Ardanic people. An Itif is something akin to a clan or a guild or associates, clients and patrons. In short an Itif can be any form of social group defined as such. Most importantly though is that an Itif is not a family unit. An Itif can be associated with an extended family, but it is not connected by blood relationships. Someone can be born and raised within the Itif of their parents, but they do not inherit this association by blood, but by association itself. As such belonging to an Itif is voluntary and based on one's personal obligations and allegiances.

As such Itif come in many different forms and shapes. Many do have leaders and most do have at least a core group of members, but these leaders are always elected or chosen by the former leader, though the leadership of an Itif always needs the acceptance of the core group of members. As such, the Itif is either oligarchic or completely democratic among its members. Farmers form Itif to manage communal acres, as well as distribute the harvest, share tools and labour in a fair manner. Merchants form Itif to conduct business, help and finance each other and share wins and losses. Politicians form Itif to garner votes and influence public favor and opinion and influence the outcome of elections and act as Marte within the Ardanian government. Scholars often join the Itif of their teachers and form schools, which educate and train new members. Belonging to a single Itif is not exclusive and many Ardanians are part of several Itif, although they feel most loyalty to a single one.

The organisation of the Itif is ancient in nature and it is said, that it existed already when the ancestors of the Ardanians were still steppe nomads. When they settled down and build the first cities in the Ardanic Basin, the Itif became the central mode of political organisation. People bounded together not by connections of blood, but common interests. Neither priests nor soldiers could enact rule without the consent of merchants or farmers. While priests likely had a preeminent role during the early history of the Ardanians, their power was likely connected to the institution of the Wayač. During the ancient history of Oksandanderi, likely during the 2nd or 1st millennium BGS, the Itif became the most dominant social institution of the Ardanic people(s). The current mode of government already existed during this time, but was completely finalized during the founding of the Tyon-Arat.