Sojsojë

Sojsojë is a term used in the ethnographic description of the fictional region of Dalora to denote a ceremonial practice that blends storytelling, music, and role exchange to reinforce social bonds.

Etymology: The word derives from a hypothetical root soj- meaning together, with the suffix -sojë forming a noun; the phonotactics echo Albanian patterns, chosen for its distinct but familiar sound.

Cultural role: Sojsojë occurs annually during the harvest festival; participants from all ages rotate roles—from narrators to artisans to stewards—allowing younger members to learn through observation and practice. Oral histories and local myths are central materials.

Structure and practice: A typical session begins with a call-and-response song, followed by three cycles of role exchange, culminating in a communal feast. The ritual emphasizes generosity, memory, and social egalitarianism.

Language and discourse: In academic descriptions, sojsojë is discussed within studies of ritual performance and intergenerational knowledge transfer. Some scholars treat it as a prototype of a broader class of role-reversal ceremonies.

See also: ritual; oral tradition; intergenerational knowledge transfer.