Includeerima

Includeerima is a traditional craft and cultural practice of the Includeeri people in the Luvanor archipelago. The term covers both the technique of inlaying contrasting materials into prepared surfaces and the social system that sustains skilled artisans through apprenticeships and guild-like associations. Etymologically, the name is rooted in the Includeeri language, though there is no single universally accepted derivation.

Technique and materials: Practitioners cut and fit thin sheets of materials such as mother-of-pearl, bone, horn, and colored stones into recessed panels carved in dark hardwoods. Patterns are typically geometric or feature curved motifs, with color and sheen achieved through polishing and sealing with oil, lacquer, or resin. Tools include gouges, knives, and small mallets, and patterns are often prepared on paper and transferred to the workpiece.

History and cultural role: Includeerima appears in maritime-region records from the early medieval period and reached a stylistic peak in the 14th to 16th centuries, when Mikara, the principal city, housed large workshops that produced ceremonial panels, furniture, and architectural adornments. The craft has long been associated with status and ritual spaces, and guild-like bodies managed training, quality control, and trade routes to neighboring islands.

Contemporary status: Following industrialization, includeerima experienced decline but has seen renewed interest since the late 20th century through artisan cooperatives, museums, and design schools. Modern practitioners often blend traditional inlay techniques with contemporary forms, expanding applications to interior panels, countertops, and decorative objects. The principal centers remain Mikara and smaller communities such as Solin and Vaire.