Kesien

Kesien is a traditional communal storytelling practice in the fictional region of Eldara, used during evening gatherings to preserve memory and teach communal values. It centers on collective narration, songs, and call-and-response between participants and performers.

The name kesien comes from Eldaran roots, with ke- meaning together and sien meaning tale or narrative. This etymology reflects the collaborative nature of the practice, which emphasizes participation over virtuosity and shared authorship of the tale.

Historians trace kesien to coastal towns in Eldara during the 14th century, where merchants, fishermen, and farmers used oral storytelling to supplement sparse written records. Over time, regional dialects and local experiences shaped distinct motifs—such as journeys, kinship, harvests, and encounters with the sea—while core structures of participation and communal memory remained consistent.

A typical kesien session is led by a rotating host, or kesien, who guides the sequence of stories, songs, and prompts. Participants contribute lines, refrains, or responses, creating a layered, improvised narrative. Performances may incorporate percussion, wind instruments, or stringed items, and sessions can last several hours, often spanning from dusk to night.

In contemporary contexts, kesien has been adapted for urban venues, schools, and media projects, sometimes combining traditional elements with recorded voices or modern music. Some communities maintain apprenticeship paths to sustain performance skills and knowledge of traditional motifs, while others reserve kesien for major festivals and seasonal rituals. The practice remains a means of transmitting history, ethics, and local knowledge across generations.

Related topics include oral tradition, folk music, and storytelling.