Fedést

Fedést is a fictional cultural ritual described in speculative ethnography as part of the folklore of the imagined region of Avaloria. The term is believed to derive from the Avalorian verb fed- meaning "to feed" and the suffix -ést, used for ceremonial forms. It denotes a community-wide feast that foregrounds reciprocity, shared sustenance, and social bonding.

In typical renderings, fedést occurs annually after the harvest. Households host public meals, with dishes contributed by participants and shared in communal spaces. Activities include oral storytelling, traditional songs, and dances. A core practice is the exchange of tokens or small gifts intended to redistribute resources and reaffirm mutual obligation among neighbors and kin. A ceremonial loaf, torch, or candle may be passed along the gathered participants to symbolize collective care.

Historically, fedést is described in Avalorian lore as arising from early village assemblies and spreading through neighboring communities. In modern narrations, urbanization has altered its form, with organizers often incorporating school programs, museums, and public performances, while maintaining the central ethos of generosity.

Variants exist across settlements, including spring-fedést and winter-fedést, each with local customs, dress, and recipes. Some commentators view the tradition as a valuable vehicle for memory and identity, while others critique potential commercialization or misappropriation by outsiders.

See also: potlatch, harvest festival.