The duty to uphold Ayaawk within its domain
The Duty to Uphold Ayaawk Within Its Domain
The duty to uphold Ayaawk within its domain rests with the Wilp (Waap).
Authority is lawful only when Ayaawk is actively maintained.
Principle
Every Wilp (Waap) is responsible for ensuring that Ayaawk governs:
- Conduct
- Decision-making
- Use of land and resources
- Relationships within its territory
Failure to uphold Ayaawk nullifies authority.
Scope of the Duty
Upholding Ayaawk requires:
- Applying law consistently
- Preventing harm and misuse of authority
- Addressing violations through lawful process
- Ensuring responsibilities are fulfilled, not ignored
Silence in the face of wrongdoing is itself a violation.
Internal Governance
Within its domain, a Wilp must:
- Guide members according to Ayaawk
- Correct misconduct through restorative means
- Protect the vulnerable
- Maintain balance between rights and responsibilities
Authority exercised without law is domination.
External Conduct
When engaging beyond the house, the duty includes:
- Ensuring representatives act lawfully
- Refusing agreements that violate Ayaawk
- Preventing delegation of authority that bypasses law
- Withdrawing recognition from unlawful acts
No external relationship overrides Ayaawk.
Accountability
This duty is enforced through:
- Witnesses
- Public memory
- Adaawk
- Lawful correction when breaches occur
Persistent failure invites rebalancing of responsibility.
Modern Context
In modern settings, upholding Ayaawk includes:
- Resisting reduction of law to policy
- Preventing substitution of external legal standards
- Ensuring modern institutions remain answerable to house law
- Maintaining continuity despite political or economic pressure
Modern forms do not excuse ancient obligations.
Consequences of Failure
When Ayaawk is not upheld:
- Authority may be challenged
- Roles may be reassigned
- Recognition may be withdrawn
- Restoration may be required
Law restores order; it does not protect power.