Trnaklar

Trnaklar is a term used in a fictional ethnography to denote a traditional ceremonial rite practiced by the people of the River Valleys in the world of Elderia.

Etymology and scope: The name is described in in-world sources as deriving from the Trnaki language, where the word functions as a plural noun referring to a suite of ceremonies rather than a single event.

Practice: The rite combines chanted verses, a drum ensemble, and a procession of dancers. Participants wear carved wooden masks and headbands, while a chorus leads the vocal pattern. The performance is usually held outdoors during the dry-to-rain transition.

History and interpretation: Documentary notes date back several centuries in in-universe chronicles. Today, communities continue the practice as a living tradition, with regional variants in melody, rhythm, and mask design. Scholars treat Trnaklar as a symbol of communal memory and seasonal renewal.

In modern storytelling, Trnaklar is used to explore themes such as identity, migration, and cultural continuity.