Yayn

Yayn is a ceremonial practice described in the fictional culture of the Valari. It combines oral storytelling, choral singing, and rhythmic percussion to commemorate communal origins and shared values. The rite historically functioned as a social contract ceremony, reaffirming alliances between clans and reinforcing memory, justice, and hospitality.

Etymology and terminology: the name Yayn is said to derive from Valari roots ya- meaning “speak” and -yn indicating gathering, with later glosses linking it to voice and assembly. In various sources, the term is treated as both event name and the repertoire of stories told during the rite.

Practice and structure: Yayn is performed during the harvest or seasonal festival and typically spans several nights. A senior storyteller, called the may, leads a flowing sequence that interlaces legends, genealogies, and legal precepts. A chorus responds with refrains, while a drummer or korra provides a steady rhythm that guides pacing. Visual elements such as dance, masked tableaux, and improvised verses by attendees are common. The content emphasizes communal obligations, courage, hospitality, and justice, with audience participation encouraged as a means of collective memory.

History and distribution: early references to Yayn appear in regional chronicles and oral histories, suggesting origins in inter-clan alliances. Over centuries, its practice spread through trade networks, evolving into locally distinctive styles. In periods of upheaval, communities revived Yayn as a development of civic identity and social cohesion.

Modern status: in contemporary world-building and fan scholarship, Yayn is studied for its narrative structure, linguistic features, and ritual function. Some creators reinterpret Yayn as a secular cultural festival, while others preserve its traditional ceremonial aspects within fictional settings.