Kiteit

Kiteit is a traditional communal storytelling practice attributed to the fictional Nyva culture of the Itin archipelago. The term denotes both the act of telling and the repertoire of stories used in specific ceremonies, and it functions as a mechanism for preserving collective memory and reinforcing social norms. Etymologically, it derives from Nyva terms ki- meaning to tell and teit meaning memory or record, though exact glosses vary by village.

Practices are led by a kiteit, a designated storyteller who may be assisted by a chorus of listeners and apprentice storytellers. Performances typically occur during seasonal gatherings and rites of passage, such as harvests or initiations. The format often includes a prologue of chanted questions, a central multi-part saga recounting the deeds of ancestors, and a closing benediction linking past events to present conduct. Instrumental accompaniment uses a frame drum and bamboo flutes, though exact instruments vary regionally. Content is organized around genealogy, moral exempla, and collective memory, with strict traditions about what may or may not be altered in retellings.

Origins are traced in the early maritime era of the Itin archipelago, with regional variants developing across different islands. In recent decades, kiteit has been studied by anthropologists as an example of performance-based transmission of history. Efforts to preserve it include community archives and recordings, while some communities adapt the practice for modern audiences, ensuring survival while negotiating authenticity.