Nispa

The Nispa (/niʃpa/), literally meaning 'rich man', were the hereditary, landowning of Saramosir between around the 13th and 17th centuries, and after that generally referred to the elite administrative class of the Saramosiri state. The Nispa developed in the early 13th century with the Unification of Saramosir, and the redistribution of agricultural lands under Iteruy I. They soon grew to be a key component in the Kingdom's military and political system.

The election of Kamushain II in 1625 ultimately spelled the end of the Nispa as a dominant political force, as the young king sought to institute a system of meritocratic selection and examination in Saramosir.

The Nispa revolts of 1630 - 1641 were a final attempt by Nispa magnates to maintain their traditional authority and economic power, but ultimately accelerated their decline, as rebels and their supporters were executed en masse, and their estates confiscated by the crown. In 1644 the Twelve Collar Rank System was instituted, which firmly tied titles and financial stipends to the Royal bureaucracy; this effectively abolished the old hereditary aristocracy, though many loyalist Nispa families would continue to enjoy favour under the new system, and tghe term 'nispa' continued as a general label for the Saramosiri governing elite.

The Nispa were organised into three ranks, based on seniority and privileges.
 * Kanna Nispa - 'Upper Nispa'. the nispa who served in the court and as part of the royal household. Unlike other nispa they did not hold land and were instead paid with royal stipends.
 * Retare Nispa / Ekasi - 'White Nispa' or 'Elders'. The highest ranks of provincial nispa; in practice often more powerful than the kanna nispa. They held vast estates, and sat on the Oai, the royal council or parliament, which approved new taxes and decided the Royal succession. (The term Ekasi is still the title used by representatives in the Oai of Saramosir, and the Heavenly Assembly).
 * Kunne Nispa - 'Black Nispa'. A broad term which encompassed many holders of regional offices, such as city governors, village chiefs and ministers. They were usually also local landowners, but held lesser estates than the Ekasi. In some regions, Kunne Nispa were elected or appointed by more senior nispa, while they were simply lesser hereditary nobles in others.
 * Ukik-kur - 'Men at arms'. Akin to or bushi, they were soldiers and retainers under the employ of more senior nispa. Every nispa was expected to provide and outfit a certain number of ukik-kur for the Crown. Sometimes Ukik-kur ascended in rank and attained their own lands, or were 'traded' into service with the Royal court in exchange for royal favours.