Legungs

Legungs are ritual memory objects used by certain coastal communities to record genealogies, laws, events, and treaties. They function as portable mnemonic devices consulted by elders when reciting communal history or settling disputes, and they often play a central role in ceremonial contexts.

The term Legung derives from the local language, where the concept means to lay down or record a memory. In scholarly writing, the plural form Legungs is used to refer to this class of objects, while local usage may employ different terms for individual items or subtypes.

Physical characteristics of Legungs vary by region and period. They can be clay tablets, bone or metal tokens, or small stone slabs. Most are flat and range from a few centimeters to several inches in size. Inscriptions, which may be glyphs, scripts, or pictograms, are typically applied with stylus, chisel, or paint and are sometimes protected by a binding or coating.

Function and social role: In ceremonies, a Legung is presented and read aloud, its contents incorporated into the community’s oral history, and then stored in a shrine, archive, or family repository. They codify genealogies, property rights, or treaties and are often entrusted to a lineage or temple authority across generations, reinforcing social structure and memory.

Production and preservation: Legungs are produced by scribes, artisans, or knowledgeable elders, with regional variations in form and style. Preservation requires careful storage away from moisture and light; durable materials and protective coverings help ensure their survival for future transmission and study.