Kadud

Kadud is a fictional ritual and cultural concept used in speculative fiction to describe a seasonal festival observed by communities in various fictional regions. In different narratives, kadud may be presented as a harvest rite, a solstice celebration, or an initiation rite, but it commonly centers on reconciliation between people and nature and the renewal of communal bonds.

Etymology and forms: In worldbuilding sources, kadud is described as derived from an imagined language in which oral roots mean gathering and light. Authors sometimes treat kadud as a rite, others as a festival name, and some systems list multiple regional variants with different names but related symbolism.

Practices and symbolism: Typical kadud ceremonies involve a communal gathering, storytelling, music, and dance. Ritual elements may include a central fire or lantern procession, a feast, and the exchange of tokens or songs that symbolize memory and renewal. Beings of the community may recount histories of ancestors, celebrated deeds, or local legends.

Reception and use: In fiction and worldbuilding communities, kadud serves as a narrative tool to explore themes of resilience, intergenerational knowledge, and intercultural exchange. It appears in guides for writers and in fan-created content that elaborates on regional variants within the kadud tradition.