Nevojave

Nevojave is a fictional term used to describe a social practice in the hypothetical Nevoja culture. It refers to the deliberate abstention from vocal participation during communal deliberations, in favor of listening, gesture, and shared silence to signal respect and egalitarian intent.

Etymology: In the fictional Neovan language, ne- is a negation prefix; vo- derives from “voice,” and -ave marks habitual or customary action. The word is often used as both noun (the practice) and verb (to nevojave).

Practice and contexts: Nevojave occurs most often in formal councils, religious ceremonies, and conflict-resolution sessions. Participants may remain physically engaged through posture, eye contact, and symbolic gestures; speaking is restricted to designated roles. Variants include partial nevojave (limited speaking) and extended nevojave (prolonged silence). The practice is described in ethnographic passages within the fictional literature to illustrate conflict-avoidant communication styles.

Reception and analysis: In the fictional corpus, nevojave is praised for promoting equal participation and reducing confrontation, but criticized for silencing minority voices and masking dissent. It is often used as a lens for examining power dynamics in assemblages. See also: silence, sociolinguistics, ritual communication.