Yerime

Yerime is a term used in a fictional folkloric tradition described in speculative literature and world-building discussions. In this context, yerime denotes a formal ritual of communal memory sharing and decision-making conducted at the annual gathering of the island federation of Yerima. The word is said to derive from the Yerimese language, where yer- means 'to remember' and -ime forms a nominal sense.

Practice: During yerime, participants take turns recounting personal and collective histories in a prescribed sequence. A record keeper documents events on clay tablets or digital devices, while a chorus punctuates the retellings. The rite includes a question-and-answer phase to test accuracy and a final consensus vote on decisions that emerge from the remembered events.

Functions and significance: Yerime serves to preserve lineage, regulate social obligations, resolve disputes, and reinforce community identity. It blends oral transmission with material artifacts and occasionally visual or performative elements such as ritual song or dance.

Variations: Some communities emphasize youth initiation or elder mentorship, while others foreground archival recording or public accessibility. In modern fiction, yerime is sometimes depicted with multimedia storytelling, community archives, and educational workshops.

See also: Oral tradition; Cultural memory.

Notes: This article describes a fictional concept and is not based on real-world practices.