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LOCATION

The Banyan Civilization is situated in an area near a river in India. The region will be of tropical climate thus having predictable weather patterns. The layout of the land would contain agricultural terraces with a banyan tree in the middle, and forests behind the terraces.

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SOCIETY
The Banyan population grew to roughly 50,000 people in its peak of civilization. Centered around the historical Banyan tree, the large populated center has allowed the people to develop a universal form of free education and health care for its residents. The Banyan people believed in this kind of system for its people because it promoted a strong sense of community and togetherness.

1. Education

Their education system had started at the basic level, teaching the children of their village language, survival skills, agriculture, health, craft, and religion. Their people believed in teaching the youth and giving them a foundation of knowledge at a young age in order for them to be able to choose their profession or industry as they get older.

The Banyan elders were usually the educators, while young children (as old as 3 years old and above) began their education until they were 18 years old. At which, when they reached the age of 13 they were given the opportunity to explore their interests and develop skills in their desired role for society.

Language & Writing system

Bengali was the language and way of writing of the Banyan civilization for communication and education.

2. Healthcare

Their healthcare system was composed of Banyan adults who learned the skills of medicine and health. The health workers were known as the ‘healers’ of the village and used all natural and organic modes of medicine for the sick and injured.

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CULTURAL LEGACY

1. Technology & Innovation

1. Agriculture - The Banyan Civilization has two types of methods used for growing food, specifically the Rice Terraces, as well as early use of Hydroponic techniques

1. Rice Terraces

1. Modeled after the shape of the mountain around their village, the Banyan people would use wood, and stone tools to carve out flat surfaces to make the land around the mountain plantable.¹

2. These structures have the ability to survive for hundreds if not thousands of years if cultivated correctly.

3. Same with the plumbing they developed water systems, made out of copper pipes,  to properly transport water to the grain they were growing.²

2. Hydroponics

1. Hydroponics is a form of agriculture which involves using water rich in minerals, and oxygen in place of using soil. ³

2. This process helps in the food and water shortages that are plaguing modern society by growing food, at a faster rate, while also using 80% less water than traditional farming.⁴

2. Plumbing

1. As mentioned earlier, the Banyan society was able to adapt a series of complex waterways, and systems which greatly helped the development of plumbing.

2. The earliest form of plumbing in Asia is said to be copper water pipes from India, and as such we believe that the possibility of them being able to use these as well can be done.

3. Wooden Houses

1. The Banyan Civilization used wood from the Banyan Tree, and surrounding trees to build their homes.

2. They would only take what they needed to avoid deforestation of a massive degree.

3. They would use the crevices of the land, as well as the structure of the tree to build their home,  as to not destroy the land.

Footnotes:

1. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC STAFF, “Explore the Emerald Rice Terraces of the Philippines,” National Graphic, August 18, 2018, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/world-heritage/article/philippine-rice-terraces.

2. Vincent West, “Interesting Facts on the History of Plumbing,” February 26, 2018, https://lifeasahuman.com/2018/arts-culture/history/interesting-facts-on-the-history-of-plumbing/.

3. Evan Folds, “The History of Hydroponics,” March 11, 2018, https://medium.com/@evanfolds/the-history-of-hydroponics-99eb6628d205.

4. Max, “Advantages & Disadvantages of Hydroponics,” Trees.Com (blog), February 19, 2021, https://www.trees.com/gardening-and-landscaping/advantages-disadvantages-of-hydroponics.

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GOVERNMENT
The form of Government or Law that the Banyans practiced is mainly for organization of its people and resources. Their political system is Democratic, every citizen has the right to vote as long as you are educated or 18 years old and above. Their leaders are elected for the purpose of assisting, overseeing and guiding the community in their specific roles. Equality and Fairness is the main goal of the Banyan civilization’s government, and taxes are imposed upon contributing members of society in order to provide for the whole community’s Food security and Housing.

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BELIEF SYSTEM

1. Belief - The belief system of the Banyan civilization revolves around the connection and balance of man with nature.

2. Higher power - The belief system of the civilization would revolve around the Spirits of the Sky and the Water.

3. Traditions - The traditions of the civilization would focus on the cultivation of nature, specifically agriculture. They would pray to the spirits by doing the following:

1. Agricultural cultivation is treated and done as if it is a prayer.

1. Planting is done with solemnity

2. The work done in the fields is an offering in itself to the gods and the spirits - it is a promise to do right by the gifts of the spirits

2. Harvest season is greeted with a feast.

1. People come together to eat and celebrate the gifts granted to them by the Spirits

4.  Moral Beliefs - In connection to religious belief, the Banyan civilization also has an ecological approach to morality. The following are the values the citizens would uphold:

1. Stewardship - Uphold the responsibility to protect and cultivate nature

2. Integrity - Uphold honesty and strong moral principles; ”All actions have consequences and bloom into bigger things”

3. Openness - Uphold collaboration and trust; “Goodness & Badness are not contained but flow outside of ourselves”

5.  Place of worship/Symbol of belief

Banyan Tree - The Banyan civilization would use the Banyan Tree as the place of worship and the overall symbol of belief because of its overall reach. The tree can reach up to 100 feet, spreads laterally indefinitely, and aerial roots descend from the branches and take root in the soil, thus creating new trunks. [1] For this civilization, this tree may be believed to reach the Spirit of the Sky through its branches, the Spirit of the Water through its roots, and the people of the civilization through its trunk.

Footnote:
T. Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Banyan,” February 20, 2020, https://www.britannica.com/plant/banyan.

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SOCIAL STRUCTURE

The social structure of the Banyan civilization will not follow a hierarchical system, for all factions--regardless of their responsibilities and contribution--will be of equal importance and value. No faction will dominate over the other. Individuals will be categorized according to their roles in society. The 4 factions are detailed below:

1. Government

1. Our civilization will have a government, though not as formal as other political systems. In earlier established civilizations, the role of women in terms of politics was limited.¹ In the Banyan civilization, the government will not be male-dominated. It will consist of “leaders” and both men and women are welcomed to assume these positions of leadership.

2. As leaders, they are in charge of resource allocation, conflict management and trading.

3. The Banyan Civilization will be self-sufficient and trading will be done not for survival, but for acquiring resources not available to their region. Barter Trading system (exchange of goods) will be used in the process.

2. Production

1. Under this faction, there will be two sub-factions: Food and Non-food production

2. In earlier societies, the introduction of agriculture led to an inequality between men and women, with men being in charge of supplying food.² However, in our civilization, both men and women under this faction will equally contribute to the production of goods.

3. Public Servants

1. This faction will consist of 3 sub-factions mainly:

1. Educators

2. Health Workers

3. Religious Leaders

1. Given our civilization's belief system which is rooted in society's connectedness with nature, the religious leaders of our civilization will be from the farming sector.

4. Craftspeople

1. This last faction will consist of people who create things such as buildings, textiles, furniture, tools, pottery or the like

2. Artists, architects, and engineers among others all fall under this category.

Footnotes:

1. Peter Stearns, “The Traditional Base: Civilizations and Patriarchy,” in Gender in World History, 2nd ed. (New York, NY: Routledge, 2006), 15.

2. Stearns, “The Traditional Base,” 14.

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The Great Banyan Tree | Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Botanical Garden 

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CULTURAL LANDMARK

Otherwise known as the Ficus benghalensis, also called Indian banyan or banyan fig, is an unusually shaped tree of the mulberry family (Moraceae) native to the Indian subcontinent.¹ Banyans as a species dominate in terms of size and are known as the world's biggest trees in terms of the area they cover.2 For the Banyan Civilization they have a cultural and spiritual recognition as immortal and everlasting. The meaning associated with this tree derives from the natural process of growth; starting out from a small seed and continuously growing.

In relation to their belief system, the Banyan is deeply rooted on earth and grows as if it’s reaching for the sky. Their people praise the idea of ‘connection’ which can also be seen among its branches that create intricate canopies and pillars. The Banyans also remarkably value nature because of their investment in agriculture and sustainability. Thus, the tree is known as a symbol of Life, Fertility, Immortality & Longevity.

Footnotes:

1. Melissa Petruzzello, “Banyan,” Encyclopædia Britannica (Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., July 3, 2019), https://www.britannica.com/plant/banyan.

2. Michelle Konstantinovsky, “The Mighty Banyan Tree Can 'Walk' and Live for Centuries,” HowStuffWorks, April 5, 2021, https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/botany/understanding-roots-banyan-tree.htm.