Ilmanjaon

Ilmanjaon is a term from the fictional Arin culture in the world of Lirion, used to describe a ceremonial gathering that combines governance, reciprocal sharing, and communal decision-making. The concept functions as both a social ritual and a model for collective action.

Etymology and meaning. In Arin, il- is a preposition implying mutual relation, man- denotes the people, and jaon conveys coming together or union. Together, ilmanjaon expresses the idea of people coming into shared space to deliberate, celebrate, and allocate resources.

Practice and structure. Ilmanjaon events are typically held at a central gathering site and organized around four stages: welcoming rites, open deliberation, resource sharing, and a rotating leadership circle that presides for a defined period. Decisions are reached through consensus, with formal mechanisms to pause discussion, propose amendments, and document agreements. Participation is open to members of the community, with special provisions to include marginalized groups.

Cultural significance. The practice reinforces social cohesion, reinforces norms of reciprocity, and serves as a living record of communal commitments. Music, storytelling, and shared meals accompany deliberations, reinforcing solidarity and memory across generations. In some regions, ilmanjaon also functions as a festival that marks transitions between seasons or major life events.

Variants and reception. Local dialects yield minor name variations and ritual tweaks, but core principles remain consistent: inclusive participation, consensus-based outcomes, and rotating stewardship. In-world scholarship discusses tensions between traditional ilmanjaon practice and evolving administrative structures, while writers use the concept to explore ideas about participatory governance.

See also. Consensus decision-making, participatory democracy, ritual sharing, potlatch.

References. The Chronicle of the Northern Harvest, Arin Lexicon, volumes on Arin social practices.