Kingdom of Casbah
| Kingdom of Casbah | ||||
| ||||
| Motto Mustard is our future | ||||
| Anthem Turkey in the Straw | ||||
| Capital city | Casbah Palace | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official language(s) | English | |||
| Short name | Casbah | |||
| Government | Parliamentary Monarchy | |||
| - Maharaja | Maharaja Daniel | |||
| - The Elder Statesmen | George and Mary Ann Morin | |||
| Legislature | Imperial Congress | |||
| Established | July 1997 | |||
| Area claimed | 2.5 acres | |||
| Population | 6 | |||
| National animal | Chicken | |||
| Patron saint | Pan | |||
Archived Website | ||||
The Kingdom of Casbah was a 2.5 acre rural micronation existing within the United States in Columbia County, Pennsylvania. It was created as a result of a border dispute between three neighbors and existed from 1996 - 2001, when the founder and ruler was forced out of his position as Maharajah by the legal owners of the farm. He briefly returned to his position of power in 2006 to wage a troll war against the Empire of Atlantium before being rendered inactive again in 2007. The property on which Casbah existed was sold by the landowners in 2012 and now rests in private hands.
History
Border disputes
In 1995, George and Mary Ann Morin, the owners of a small farmhouse in the Eastern United States notice the border markers surrounding their property have been moved by their neighbors. Travis McHenry, a friend of the family is called to investigate the allegations privately and attempt to catch the evil neighbors in the act of desecration. Travis feels so strongly about his mission, that he creates an imrpomptu militia group. The militia is called "The Border Patrol Agency" and routinely patrols the perimeter of the farmhouse while wearing military fatigues and carrying pellet guns. To prove his seriousness, Travis places signs around the property line showing a skull and crossbones with the text "Death will result from crossing this point." No further border infractions are noted for a time.
The following year, while conducting a routine patrol through the woods along the disputer border, Travis is shot at by someone with a .22 rifle. The bullet lodges in a tree directly above his head. Evidence surfaces suggesting neighbors on both sides of the farmhouse are responsible for the border incursions and the firing of the .22. Several months later, Yeller, the Sgt. at Arms of the Dogs of War division of the Border Patrol Agency mysteriously disappears and is never seen again.
Independence
In July 1997, fed up with the law's inability to mediate the border dispute, Travis convinces the owners of the farmhouse to proclaim independence and form their own governing body. The owners concede to his request and are voted "Elderstatesman and Elderstateswoman" or collectively, The Elderstatesmen. They are responsible for legislative actions in the newly proclaimed "Kingdom of Casbah." After a rigged election, Travis is proclaimed monarch of Casbah and adopts the title "Maharaja Daniel."
The Majaraja is crowned in a ceremony using a crown crafted by local artisans from an old metal lampshade and spray painted gold. His scepter at the time of his coronation was literally beaten from a plow, signifying the importance of farming in Casbah.
Imperial era
Starting in 1998, Maharaja Daniel presided over the first Imperial Congress comprised only of other members of the Border Patrol Agency, both of whom would later become nobles of Westarctica: Jean Morin and Neil Whitmoyer. The Elderstatesmen are left out of the Imperial Congress and become irate when the treasonous act is discovered. The "Imperial Congress" is banned from ever meeting again.
A month later, Maharaja Daniel institutes a new religion in Casbah, centering on the worship of the pagan deity Pan. An altar is erected complete with burning candles and a large statue of their new god. The Maharaja is to be the High Priest of this new religion. The only practicing members are the individuals involved with the outlawed Imperial Congress. The Cult of Pan is caught in the midst of practicing their bizarre ritual of Pan worship. The Elderstateswoman remarks "Not in my house!" and demands the immediate resignation of Maharaja Daniel. He concedes and disbands the Border Patrol and gives up his title and position.
Resurrection of monarchy
In October 1998, the Morin's neighbors continually harass the Elderstatesmen concerning the free range of Casbah's chickens. This continued badgering drives the Elderstatesmen to allow Travis to return to his position of power, although he promises to act in a more restrained fashion.
The Mustard Revolution
Tired of constantly blazing trails for his patrols through the orchard of Casbah, Maharaja Daniel begins a campaign to destroy all the mustard weed that grows throughout Casbah. One of the members of the Border Patrol Agency, Jean Morin, cannot stand to see nature destroyed and leads a rebellion against the Maharaja's campaign of destruction. The Elderstateswoman is swayed towards her daughter's opinion, and forces the Maharaja to stop destroying the mustard weed. As reparations, he must establish a "mustard habitat" in Casbah, with signs to clearly mark the boundaries where the weed can grow free. The Maharaja also had to make a short film called Mustard is Our Future, highlighting the benefits of mustard weed and bringing Jean's crusade into the spotlight.
The promotional ad is well-received, but unfortunately, the footage has been lost to time.
Military
The Border Patrol Agency (BPA) was the paramilitary force responsible for defending the borders of Casbah. They answered directly to the Maharaja, who also served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Agency and held the rank of General. Several members of Westarctica's Hereditary Nobility also served in the Border Patrol Agency including:
- General George Morin
- Commander Neil Whitmoyer
- Lieutenant Jeanne Morin
Dogs of War
The Dogs of War was a division of the Border Patrol Agency staffed entirely by dogs. The leader of the Dogs of War held the rank Sargent at Arms. All four of the Dogs of War were responsible for assisting with border patrol duties and they frequently accompanied the soldiers on patrols or engaged in patrols on their own.