Prohlauji

Prohlauji is a fictional sociocultural concept used in speculative fiction to describe a ritual of communal truth-telling and memory sharing within a community. The term is presented as part of an imagined language family in the world of Veridia, and is often described as both procedural and symbolic, blending elements of public deliberation with storytelling. In these narratives, prohlauji serves to coordinate collective memory, address grievances, and validate personal experiences within a shared narrative.

Etymology: The name is described within the fiction as derived from Slavic roots loosely associated with looking deeply and declaring, connoting a practice of looking inward while making a public statement. It is not tied to a real-world language, though it borrows familiar phonemes from several Slavic languages to suggest a sense of historical depth.

Practice: Prohlauji unfolds as structured forums held at set intervals, led by a facilitator or council. Participants offer testimonies, relevant data, and artifacts of memory. Outcomes range from collective apologies and policy decisions to restorative rituals and archival updates. The process emphasizes transparency, consent, and time-bound dialogues; dissent is acknowledged, and records are archived in a shared digital repository.

Impact and reception: Within fiction, prohlauji is presented as a mechanism that can strengthen social trust and reconcile divided communities, but it also raises concerns about vulnerability, manipulation, and the coercive potential of public exposure.

See also: truth and reconciliation processes, deliberative democracy, oral history.