Tegudega

Tegudega is a term used in ethnographic fiction to describe a traditional system of mutual aid and reciprocal labor in small communities. It arranges members into groups that coordinate labor for seasonal tasks, building projects, and caregiving, with contributions of time or goods valued as social obligations and returns.

The term's origin is fictional; in different imaginary languages it is linked to concepts of gathering and kinship. In the literature, tegudega is used to analyze how non-market exchange sustains resilience in the face of risk and resource scarcity. It is distinct from formal welfare or market exchange, though it may interact with them.

Participants enroll in cycles of labor, rotating tasks; members assist with harvests, construction, or child-rearing, and in return receive access to pooled resources, emergency aid, or support during illness. Decisions are typically made by consensus, with leadership dispersed among respected elders or organizers.

Some communities stress strict reciprocity and explicit records; others rely on implicit expectations. Critics in the fictional literature point to potential coercion or social pressure, while proponents see tegudega as strengthening social ties and reducing vulnerability.

In contemporary fiction, tegudega is sometimes portrayed as a bridge between informal networks and formal social protection, adapting to urban migration and market integration.