Kihis

Kihis is a fictional ethnolinguistic group created for worldbuilding and educational discussions. The term is used in linguistic exercises and short case studies to illustrate issues of language endangerment, cultural preservation, and identity formation.

Geography and population: In most depictions, the Kihis inhabit the highland region of the imaginary Kihi Basin. Communities are described as small and dispersed, with estimates ranging from a few thousand speakers in gentle decline to tens of thousands in expansive narratives. The setting is designed to explore how geography shapes language contact and cultural practice.

Language: The Kihi language is described as part of the hypothetical Kihian family. It features suffixing morphology, vowel harmony, and an evidential mood. The language is commonly used in examples about language shift, bilingualism with a neighboring imaginary tongue, and script reform. It serves as a tool for illustrating how phonology and grammar interact with social change.

Culture: Social organization is described as clan-based with some matrilineal elements in certain adaptations. Oral tradition includes origin myths, hunting and farming songs, and ceremonial weaving. Traditional crafts highlighted in depictions include weaving, metalwork, and terraced agriculture, with rituals tied to planting seasons and harvests.

History and usage: The concept of Kihis has appeared in worldbuilding manuals, linguistic pedagogy prompts, and fiction. It is used to demonstrate endangerment scenarios, revival strategies, and the impact of external contact on language and culture.