New Hanthawaddy (Principia Moderni)

Piokomon is a colony of located on the Gulf of Guinea.

Major Settlements

 * Camaikamon: OTL Kingston, Jamaica
 * Dayh-Klung: OTL Montego Bay, Jamaica
 * Dunquk Dung: OTL Punto Fijo, Venezuela
 * Kumoeh Hako (New Pegu): OTL Araya, Venezuela
 * Kumoeh Pron (New Prome): OTL El Morro, Venezuela
 * Kumoeh Kahwatoy (New Guwahati): OTL Eastern Tip of Guajira Peninsula

The colony is divided into three general regions: Three Jewels Islands, Kuromon, and Camaikamon.

Culture
Culture varies widely throughout the colony, and different cultural spheres are separated among different types of people:

Mon Tuh
Mons born in Hanthawaddy generally have the highest status. Their name means "Mons Coming Ashore." Immigrants receive plots of land immediately after arriving in Camaikamon provided they tend the land for at least 12 years. Thus, most Mon Tuh are relatively poor, but gain status as they land in New Hanthawaddy. All government workers must be of the Mon Tuh class. Mon Tuh generally speak Mon, although several speak Bengali, Burmese, Rohingya, or other languages of Hanthawaddy. Mon Tuh cuisine is composed of rice and cassava, mixed with costly imported spices. Mons have large estates built using local labour, and practice Theravada Buddhism. Many Mon Tuh engage in lifestyle similar to that of Hanthawaddy, with slaves providing them with luxuries.

Mon Dot
Mons born in New Hanthawaddy make up the class lower than the Mon Tuh. Their name means "Mons hatched out." As children, second generation, or Peh Dot, Mons, are trained in traditional Mon culture, but usually only the oldest child inherits his father's property, except in rare cases when the property is divided. The others are forced to become merchants or monks. The Mon Dot class makes up the largest percentage of Buddhist monks. Mon Dot typically speak Mon as their native language, but some speak the language of their parents, and many pick up local slang or creole language. Cuisine is much more localized, relying on staple crops and fish. The poorest Mon Dot live in small coastal fishing and whaling communities.

Mon Kron
Mon Kron are the most rapidly growing group in Hanthawaddy. They are typically found through marriage of a Mon man and a local female, or vice versa, although many such relationships are incestuous due to the discouragement of interracial marriage by the Mon Tuh class. Mon Kron are a tier below Mon Dot, and generally have low-paying jobs as sailors, menial labourers, but occasionally forms of skilled labourers. They are typically confined to certain parts of town. Most practice a combination of local beliefs and Buddhism, or full-on Theravada Buddhism. Most have a significant knowledge of local languages, and often use Creole as their main language. The richest form of music has come from this group of people, combining Mon instruments with local rhythms and chords. Many instruments have been improvised from local materials, such as coconut shells for Mon-style guitars.

Than Koh
Than Koh (Natives of the Island) is a term to describe Arawak peoples. Local Arawak people lead a traditional fishing or whaling-based lifestyle, but more and more have been placed in servitude to their Mon lords. Most have at least some knowledge of creole, but few can hold a conversation in Mon. Theravada Buddhism is becoming more and more common as Than Koh are educated by Buddhist missionaries.

Than Kwai
Than Kwai (Yam Natives) is a term used to refer to the locals of the mainland and the Three Jewels Islands. Similar to in Camaikamon, many have been reduced to servitude, but a few local rulers have retained power. Many have learned Mon and collected estates based off the trade of local commodities. As missionary work becomes more and more extensive, Mon language and Buddhist culture are becoming dominant. The native languages are commonly spoken, with many learning creole.

Hmo Bung
Hmo Bung generally describes poor merchants of German, French, and Maya descent living in New Hanthawaddy. Most live a creole-style lifestyle, involving in fishing or whaling. Many live in close communities, and speak creole. Most have converted to Buddhism, although several still practice Christianity or Mayan religion.

History
The first Mon intervention in the Caribbean was in Camaikamon in 1462, with a small storage shed being created. Later, in 1465, many Mons began to immigrate to the area. Bengal (under Wareru rule) used the area to import Arawak slaves to Bengal, where they could work in the growing ports in Bengal and Hanthawaddy. However, settlement did not pick up until the turn of the 16th century, when Hanthawaddy and Bengal united under one ruler. Camaikamon experienced rapid expansion with the full annexation of the island of Jamaica by 1525, the creation of the port of Dayh-klung in 1526 and the expansion onto the mainland with the creation of Dunquk Dung in 1532. In 1557, the islands of Kroa, Seng, and Duma were annexed, named after the Three Jewels of Buddhism.

In 1590, Emperor Pimpisara II ordered that Camaikamon be renamed New Hanthawaddy, and thus the Three Jewels Islands, Camaika, and Kuromon (Dunquk Dung) would be constituent regions. New Hanthawaddy seemed ready for a new era, but tragedy struck in 1602, and much of the population of Dunquk Dung was hit by malaria.