Patogum

Patogum is a term used in scholarly discussions to denote a hypothetical mechanism by which communities coordinate action and sustain social memory through regular, low-cost rituals. It is primarily encountered in theoretical anthropology and folklore studies and is often described as a heuristic rather than a documented practice.

Patogum refers to patterned sequences of communal activity—such as shared meals, storytelling, and reciprocal help—that recur with predictable frequency. The central idea is that these acts create social bonds, transmit tacit knowledge, and reinforce norms without the need for formal institutions.

The term is a modern coinage; its provenance is not tied to a single language or culture and is used mainly in analytical writing. It does not denote a specific cultural tradition in the way ethnonyms do.

Used as a theoretical tool to explain how small communities maintain cohesion amid disruption or migration. In speculative fiction, patogum may be invoked to model imagined societies.

Reception and critique: Some scholars welcome patogum as a concise way to discuss ritual economies; others critique it as overly broad or unfalsifiable.

Related concepts include social memory, ritual economy, reciprocity, and collective action.