Toodangu

Toodangu is a term used in the fictional universe of Asterra to denote a traditional communal performance that blends music, dance, and ritual. Typically performed during harvest festivals, toodangu serves as a social ceremony that reinforces communal bonds and collective memory. Etymology in the in-universe scholarship is debated; some scholars derive it from older Asteran roots meaning together and sound, while others propose a derivation linked to the seasonal cycle.

The event centers on percussion, especially frame drums, and features call-and-response vocal lines alongside simple circle or line dances. Participants rotate through roles as singers, drummers, and dancers, allowing many members to contribute even if they lack specialized skills. Regional variants emphasize different elements: coastal communities favor brisk tempos and lively footwork, while highland communities may include longer verses and aerial movements.

Functionally, toodangu coordinates labor during harvest, provides a forum for ceremonial dialogue, and transmits oral histories and local lore across generations. In the fictional history of Asterra, references to toodangu appear in archival chronicles and ceremonial catalogs dating back several centuries, with mid-20th-century revivals shaping contemporary practice.