Pouíván

Pouíván is a term from worldbuilding and speculative fiction that refers to a ceremonial gathering centered on memory sharing and storytelling within an imagined culture.

In the constructed language of that culture, pouíván combines roots meaning “listen” and “tell”; pronunciation approximates “POH-ee-VAHN.”

Pouíván denotes the annual or semiannual rite during which elders recount histories, myths, and personal memories, while participants perform masked plays and recite chants.

The event typically involves a moderator, elder storytellers, and community participants; formats include oral narratives, songs, and dramatized scenes; the ritual closes with a communal pledge or oath.

Pouíván functions as social glue, transmitting knowledge, reinforcing norms, and mediating conflict; variants exist between coastal and highland communities, reflecting local lore.

In fiction and roleplaying materials, pouíván is often used as a worldbuilding tool to reveal history, power dynamics, and cultural values.