Welcome to Slowjamastan but remove your Crocs before entering!

Slowjamastan is one of the world’s newest micronations ruled by Sultan Williams

Located in California’s Colorado Desert 14 miles southwest of the Salton Sea, a new nation or perhaps a micronation is formed. Slowjamastan is one of the world’s newest micronations ruled by Sultan Williams. Randy Williams is a late-night “slow-jams” DJ from San Diego and is also the program director. Slowjamastan is also one of the hundreds of actual micronations in the world. 

“I ran out of countries, so I created my own.”

Williams had spent his life attempting to travel to all the countries in the world. With one UN-recognized nation left to visit, the ‘Sultan of Slowjamastan’ decided to buy an 11-acre plot of empty arid land to build a new country named after his radio show. “I like to put it simply, I ran out of countries, so I created my own,” says Randy Williams.

William’s micronation’s full name is the United Territories of the Sovereign Nation of the People’s Republic of Slowjamastan and describes it as a ‘dictatorship’ on most days. Slowjamastan officially declared independence from the United States of America on December 21, 2021, at 12.26 pm and broadcasted the event live from Dublania, the capital of Slowjamastan. Anyone could apply to become a citizen for free and surprisingly he had received more than a thousand applications. People could also purchase a passport, or buy and name a state for $1,999.

Williams spoke at the Las Vegas conference dedicated to micronationalism, MicroCon 2022, and  Slowjamastan had 422 citizens in 28 recognised countries at the time. Slowjamastan was proclaimed a sovereign nation on December 1 with a simple seven-word document that read “We hereby declare independence! God bless Slowjamastan!”.

Some bizarre rules

Slowjamastan’s borders are marked by signs warning of land mines and the nation also has an actual border checkpoint, a pay phone, and a flagpole. There are some bizarre rules on Slowjamastan too like no feet on dashboards, eating string cheese by pulling off the strings, and importantly, Crocs are not allowed. The official language would be English with a General Foreign Accent.  
“One of the most important things is we are a nation that is very inclusive,” says Williams. He also adds that the micronation is a group to belong to. “It is camaraderie”. The country can be anything you want it to be, adds Williams.

A Joke but not a Joke    

 Micronation building is happening in many parts and for many people who feel alienated from their native land, building a community where they feel like their personal beliefs are appreciated becomes important. Modern micronations began to surface in the 1960s with Sealand and Rose Island. Micronations started multiplying in the 1990 and 2000s.

Williams state that the country is a dictatorship most of the time and will hold referendums and special voting ceremonies occasionally. It might seem quite contradictory but that’s all this is about. William had traveled to several places that piqued his curiosity with contradictions that exist in places like North Korea. William’s dressing and character are a way of pointing out the absurd ways in which several countries of the world are being ruled. And because of this, there’s a long line of people who are ready to share the experiment.

People can apply for citizenship through the Slowjamastan website. He had also opened for tourists and is working on creating diplomatic relations with other countries. The next stage, however, is his micronation’s withdrawal from the United States. He also makes it clear that Slowjamastan meets the criteria for a sovereign nation-state as defined by the Montevideo Convention of 1933. The convention requires a country to have a permanent population, a government, and clearly-marked boundaries, and the ability to enter into diplomatic relations with other countries.