Tatlins

The Tatlins are a fictional ethnic group described in world-building and speculative fiction. They are imagined as inhabitants of the Tatlin Archipelago, a chain of coral and volcanic islands in a western sea. In the created setting, the Tatlin population is often placed around several tens of thousands, with communities spread across coastal villages and hill settlements.

Name and language

The ethnonym Tatlin derives from elements of the Tatlin language, a language isolate with multiple dialects. The name is commonly linked to a root meaning shore or coast in the traditional tongue, though variations exist between islands. The writing system is portrayed as a syllabary that emerged in the post-contact era of the fictional history.

History

In the lore, Tatlin ancestors are said to have migrated from the southern mainland centuries ago, settling along the archipelago’s coasts and inland terraces. Trade routes developed with neighboring polities, bringing metal tools, pottery, and new crops. Oral histories emphasize sea journeys, navigational knowledge, and periodic renewal ceremonies tied to the lunar cycle.

Society and culture

Tatlin society is organized around kin-based clans and an elder council that oversees resources, ritual life, and dispute resolution. Leadership tends to rotate among respected elders, with youths apprenticed to navigators, healers, and artisans. Religion blends animistic beliefs with ancestor veneration; sea spirits are invoked for safe voyage and bountiful harvests. Social life centers on coastal markets, seasonal festivals, and long-standing weaving, carving, and boat-building traditions.

Economy and crafts

The economy combines artisanal production with subsistence fishing and coastal agroforestry. Canoe building, basketry, and textile weaving are prized skills, often exchanged through coastal networks. Sustainable practices, such as seasonal fishing closures and traditional land management, are emphasized in the lore.

See also

Tatlin Archipelago, speculative fiction world-building, nautical navigation traditions.