Ndjesie

Ndjesie is a fictional term used in world-building and speculative fiction to denote a traditional, communal storytelling performance that integrates narrative, music, and ritual elements. The concept is commonly presented as part of a fictional culture's oral heritage, serving to preserve memory, law, and genealogies across generations.

Etymology and usage: The word ndjesie is described in in-world linguistic sources as deriving from an invented language family, with phonemic components intended to evoke ceremonial speech. In most depictions, ndjesie refers to both the act of telling and the ensemble that accompanies it.

Characteristics: A ndjesie performance typically features a lead storyteller, called the ndjesi, who weaves episodes from the community's history. A chorus or instrumental assistants provide musical cues, rhythm, and interludes. Performances may rely on call-and-response techniques, stylized gestures, and symbolic props. Length varies from a single evening to multi-day cycles linked to seasonal rites.

Context and function: Ndjesie performances function as collective memory, education for youth, and sanction for communal decisions. They are commonly staged at significant social events, such as harvests, rites of passage, or polity meetings, reinforcing shared identity.

Variations: In some versions, the ndjesie is a solo oral epic; in others, it is a collaborative performance with multiple storytellers and musicians. The repertoire may include myths, genealogies, laws, and moral teachings.

Note: This entry describes a fictional concept used for world-building; it is not a real ethnographic term.