About
Welcome to the Kingdom of Beanwai
The Kingdom of Beanwai is a micronation built on creativity, resilience, and shared identity, founded by two people who turned personal hardship into a collective vision. It is a symbolic and cultural nation focused on belonging, imagination, and participation rather than land or legal replacement. Beanwai invites others to find meaning, connection, and purpose through community and self-determination
History of Beanwai
Beanwai originated near Pecos, Texas as a creative project conceived during childhood. What began as imaginative exploration would, years later, grow into something far more defined and enduring.
After the future king met his wife, the concept evolved into a shared endeavor. Together, the founders began shaping the idea into a micronation, formally selecting a name and refining its structure, symbols, and purpose. As their vision took form, the first citizens joined after the founders shared their plans with friends and supporters.
Due to health concerns associated with extreme desert heat, the founders later relocated the seat of Beanwai to Minnesota, where the queen had inherited land. It was there that many foundational elements of the nation were created, including the first national flag, the national anthem, and their current currency designs.
The name Beanwai itself reflects the partnership at the heart of the kingdom. The earliest proposed name, “Bobby’s World,” was ultimately set aside due to its association with an existing television series. Following the founders’ marriage, a new name was devised to symbolically include both individuals. One letter from each of their first names—B and Y—was combined to form “B & Y,” which was then rendered phonetically as “Beeandwhy.” Over time, this evolved into the final form, “Beanwai,” a name that preserves the sound and meaning of its origin.
What began as a childhood idea ultimately became a collaborative micronation shaped by creativity, resilience, and shared values. Beanwai continues to grow as a living expression of the founders’ vision and the community that has formed around it.
Geography and Territory
Location and Land
The territorial seat of the Kingdom of Beanwai is located on privately owned land in Minnesota, encompassing approximately eight acres. This land serves as the symbolic and administrative heart of the kingdom. The monarch’s residence functions as the primary governmental building, where decision-making, economic activity, and official matters of state are conducted.
Land within the territory is used primarily for small-scale farming to support both human and animal consumption, with the goal of achieving the highest level of self-sustainability reasonably possible. Development within the territory remains minimal and intentional. All roads are unpaved dirt roads, a choice made to preserve the natural landscape and reduce the financial and environmental costs associated with maintenance.
Borders and Access
The territorial boundaries of Beanwai follow the established property lines of the eight-acre parcel. Along the southern portion of the property, where a shared driveway exists with neighboring landowners, the kingdom has intentionally set its gate farther back from the formal boundary to ensure practical access and respectful coexistence with neighbors.
Climate
Beanwai experiences warm, mildly humid summers, with average temperatures in the mid-80s °F. The growing season typically ranges from 90 to 160 days. Tornadoes are possible from March through late autumn. Autumn is marked by widespread leaf color changes and gradually cooling temperatures, while both spring and autumn are the windiest seasons of the year.
Winters in Beanwai are generally long, lasting from November through March. Cloudy but warmer winter days may still produce snowfall, and the greatest recorded snow depth within the territory has approached five feet.
Vegetation
The original vegetation of the Beanwai region can be grouped into three primary types: needleleaf forest, hardwood forest, and tallgrass prairie. Needleleaf species include pine, spruce, and fir, while hardwood forests are dominated by oak, maple, and basswood. Much of the historic forest and prairie land has been cleared over time for agricultural use and settlement.
Topography
Beanwai contains no true mountains, though rolling hills and shallow valleys are distributed throughout the region, contributing to varied terrain across the territory.
Wildlife
Common mammals found within Beanwai include deer, foxes, raccoons, porcupines, minks, weasels, skunks, and squirrels. Occasional sightings or reports have also included black bears, wolves, coyotes, lynx, and bobcats.
Year-round bird species include chickadees, woodpeckers, grosbeaks, nuthatches, cardinals, sparrows, and jays. A total of 68 bird species have been recorded as residing in or migrating through the territory, reflecting the region’s ecological diversity.
Government & Structure
Beanwai is a monarchy, but not in the traditional inherited sense. It operates as an elected monarchy, where leadership is chosen through civic representation rather than birthright. Noble titles within the kingdom are earned through service and responsibility and are neither purchased nor automatically inherited.
The Monarch
Beanwai is ruled by a King and/or Queen, collectively known as the Monarch. The Monarch serves for life and is elected by the people through their representatives. In the event of the death of a founding Monarch, a successor may be elected by the electors unless an heir has been formally designated.
The Monarch stands as the symbolic and governing head of the kingdom and is the final authority in matters of state.
The Hand of the King
The Hand of the King is the highest appointed office within the realm and serves directly beneath the Monarch. This position functions as the chief executive and administrative authority of the kingdom.
The Hand provides counsel, oversees governmental operations, and ensures continuity of governance. In the absence of the Monarch, the Hand is empowered to act on behalf of the Crown. While noble birth is not required, the officeholder is granted noble status for the duration of service.
Formal address: Lord Hand
Term: Life appointment by the Monarch
Electors
Electors serve as intermediaries between citizens and the upper levels of government. Each Elector oversees a group of related guilds. For example, an Agriculture and Land Elector may oversee farming, land use, and water-related guilds.
Electors are chosen by the citizens and serve four-year terms, with the possibility of re-election for up to two additional terms. The number of Electors is always kept odd to ensure clear decision-making.
Citizens bring concerns to their guild leaders, who may escalate matters to the appropriate Elector. Electors review these issues and determine whether further action or formal proposals are needed.
Citizens, Clans, and Guilds
At the foundation of Beanwai’s structure are its citizens. Citizens are organized into two primary forms of association:
Clans, which represent households or family units
Guilds, which are associations based on shared skills, interests, or vocations
Each clan has a head of household, and each guild elects its own leader from among its members. Guilds may be numerous and function similarly to professional associations or unions.
Flow of Governance
Proposals developed by the Electors are submitted to the Hand of the King for review. The Hand evaluates, refines, and prioritizes matters before forwarding them to the Monarch when necessary. The Monarch then makes the final determination.
This structure allows for broad participation at the citizen level while maintaining clarity, order, and unity at the highest levels of governance.
Nobility Ranks
Noble titles in Beanwai reflect service and responsibility within the kingdom:
King / Queen – The Monarch (Your Majesty)
Prince / Princess – Chosen heir to the throne (Your Highness)
Grand Duke / Duchess – Overseer of land in another territory (His/Her Grace)
Count / Countess – (Lord/Ladyship)
Baron / Baroness – (Sir / Dame)
Economy & Currency
Economic System
Beanwai operates on a Palace (redistributive) economy. Under this system, surplus production—whether staple produce, goods, or taxes—is contributed to the Palace. These contributions are carefully recorded and catalogued before being redistributed back to the population in the form of goods, services, or currency.
Citizens may maintain their own sources of income; however, the Palace serves as the central stabilizing institution, ensuring shared support and resource availability across the nation. Taxes are applied at a standard rate of 3% across all contributions, supporting collective needs while maintaining fairness.
This model emphasizes mutual responsibility, sustainability, and collective well-being, rather than accumulation of private excess.
Economy and Sustainability
Beanwai’s economy is modest but resilient. Key sectors include:
Agriculture
Residents cultivate organic crops and raise livestock suited to the local environment. Farming methods prioritize sustainability, biodiversity, and self-reliance.
Craft Markets
Handmade goods are sold locally and (coming soon) online, providing income while promoting Beanwai’s cultural heritage.
Eco-tourism
Visitors come to experience Beanwai’s natural beauty and cultural events. Tourism is carefully managed to minimize environmental impact and protect the community’s resources.
These activities collectively support Beanwai’s goal of self-reliance while fostering connections with the wider world.
Currency
The official currency of Beanwai is the Beanie, also informally referred to as the Minnie. Currency exists solely in paper form; no coins are issued.
Beanies are issued and managed by the Palace and are used for internal economic activity, symbolic transactions, and redistribution within the kingdom. Designs may feature national symbols, including imagery of the Monarch, such as a silhouette profile on the reverse side. The currency serves both as a practical medium of exchange and a cultural expression of Beanwai’s identity and values.
Laws & Legal Structure
Beanwai’s laws are guided by the kingdom’s Four Pillars: Respect All, Respect the Earth, No Hate Speech, and Equal Laws. These principles form the foundation for governance, social interaction, and community life.
Individualized Marriages
The government holds no authority over whom citizens may marry, beyond enforcing age regulations and maintaining official records. Marriage is recognized between consenting adult individuals of any gender.
Created Equal
Beanwai ensures equal rights and equal pay for all citizens. Laws prohibit discrimination based on sex, and compensation must reflect skill, position, and responsibility without discrepancy. Examples of prohibited inequality include:
Laws applying differently to men and women (e.g., public dress regulations)
Parental or postpartum leave that favors one gender over another
Unequal pay for the same position and qualifications
Law and Order
The Monarch establishes laws, which are enforced by Civilian Marshals (CM) and Deputies (CD).
Judges may be appointed by the Hand of the King to arbitrate disputes, interpret laws, and ensure fairness in serious matters. Minor disputes are first addressed within clans or guilds, and unresolved issues may be escalated to Electors or a Judge as needed.
The Four Pillars
Respect All: Engage respectfully with others, maintaining a welcoming environment and treating all individuals with courtesy and fairness.
Respect the Earth: Protect natural resources and promote sustainable practices.
No Hate Speech: Discriminatory or hateful behavior of any kind is strictly forbidden.
Equal Laws: All citizens are subject to the same rules, which must reflect the values of the Four Pillars.
What It Means to be a Beanwaian
Being a Beanwaian is less about physical residence and more about living the values, culture, and community of the kingdom. Citizenship is a choice, expressed through respect, creativity, and participation in the life of the nation.
Respect and Community: Beanwaians uphold the Four Pillars—Respect All, Respect the Earth, No Hate Speech, and Equal Laws—by engaging respectfully with others, protecting the environment in their own spaces, and contributing positively to their communities.
Cultural Participation: Citizens may celebrate Beanwai holidays at home, participate in virtual or local events, and share traditions that reflect the kingdom’s heritage.
Representation and Pride: Beanwaians may display the kingdom’s flag, use table flags at home or work, and wear or display merchandise when available, showing pride in their connection to the kingdom.
Active Citizenship: Even without living on the territory, citizens contribute to the community through creative projects, sustainable practices, and supporting one another. Participation in the governance process, such as voting for Electors or providing feedback on initiatives, is also a way to engage.
The Citizen Pledge
All Beanwaians commit to the following pledge, which appears on the back of each citizen ID card:
“I pledge to serve the Kingdom of Beanwai with honesty, respect, and dedication. I will contribute to the welfare of my fellow citizens, honor the land and its resources, and uphold the values of unity, equality, and harmony. I will never stand alone, and I will stand together with my community.”
This pledge encapsulates the essence of Beanwaian identity—unity, responsibility, and active participation—and guides citizens in representing the kingdom wherever they are.
View our citizen section to learn more about what it is to be a citizen of Beanwai.