Polohu

Polohu is a term used in worldbuilding and speculative anthropology to describe a system of social organization that emphasizes spatially structured decision-making and communal memory. The name is derived from a hypothetical Polohu language, commonly glossed as balance or alignment, reflecting the aim of harmonizing voices, roles, and actions within a group.

In practice, polohu centers on the arrangement of participants in a defined space during assemblies. Seating is often circular or semicircular to visually equalize status, with a formal speaking order that rotates among participants. A designated moderator or elder ensures adherence to ritual protocols that prevent domination by any single faction. Decisions are framed as consensual agreements rather than simple majorities, and records of deliberations are kept as communal memory to guide future discussions.

Historically within the fictional setting where it originated, polohu coalesced during periods of intergroup contact and resource pressure, as a mechanism to reduce conflict and coordinate collective action. It influenced architectural design, such as council halls with central deliberation markers, and education, emphasizing listening, recall, and interpretive storytelling.

In contemporary discussions, polohu is used as a lens to study how space can encode governance and social norms. Critics argue it can be slow and rigid; proponents highlight its potential to enhance legitimacy, accountability, and social cohesion. Some writers and planners adopt polohu concepts to design inclusive meeting spaces, urban plazas, or classroom layouts.