Iña

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The Iña is a secret society and crime syndicate operating mainly in Baranxtu, but with suspected international ties.

It emerged as a Asuanituan organization in Naïē, and has since spread to all of Baranxtu. It is generally seen as the most powerful and influental criminal organization of Baranxtu.


Name

The name Iña is a contraction of archaic Asuaneï eiñaβerη, which can be loosely translated as "promise that has to be honored", a term originally used in a religious context for a promise to a deity. It has few cognates in modern languages, except for the obsolete Asuaneï term inemla (promise) and Baranxeï ηjjaφer (prayer).

Other names for the Iña include Hapena (the word), Usuγa (the circle) and Mauβaŋη (keeping).


History

The exact origins of the Iña remain somewhat obscure, but it is established that it was present in modern-day Naïē and eastern Bari Nazer, the main region of Asuanituan colonization in Baranxtu, since at least the early 18th century. Traditionally, it has been suggested that it emerged as an organization to protect Asuanituans after the colony of Naïē had been merged with the Baranxtiman colonies in the west.

Although not by law, Asuanituans were discriminated against in everyday life, for example by disregard for their language, which fuelled popular support for the Iña. As a closed society, the Iña was officially outlawed and membership made illegal in 1720, driving the Iña into the underground and probably forcing them to make connections with other criminal elements.

Over the next few decades, not much is known about the activities of the Iña. It was not until the late 18th century that its existence became really noticeable again.

Following the quick enlargement of Baranxtu, the Iña swiftly established itself in the new territories, expanding their influence. Back then, their main source of income seems to have been smuggling, both of illegal goods and substances as well as of good exceeding the legal importation limits.

The role the Iña played during the First Baranxtuan Civil War is heavily disputed; some doubt that they supported any side and instead just tried to rake in as much profit as possible from the fights, whereas other see evidence that the Iña actively supported the republican revolutionaries.

It is known that the Iña flourished in the years following the war, facing decreased prosecution. By the mid-19th century, the Iña controlled most of the private tnani trade, the trade of narcotics and most organized crime in northern and eastern Baranxtu. In the west and south however, they struggled against rivalling organizations of the Nidajians and Marani, such as the Apanamlana and the Opekanteha.