Zhlukov

Zhlukov is a fictional term used in speculative anthropology and science fiction to describe a small, mobile, egalitarian social unit characterized by strong mutual aid. The word is presented as a neologism derived from a hypothetical root zhluk meaning "cluster" and a standard Slavic-influenced suffix -ov, and is used primarily in world-building descriptions rather than real ethnography.

A zhlukov typically consists of eight to twenty individuals who travel together, rely on shared resources, and make decisions through consensus. Leadership is informal and rotates, with responsibilities distributed among adults rather than assigned by birth.

Economy and subsistence emphasize reciprocity and flexibility. Members gather edible plants, hunt or fish where possible, and exchange goods and services within the group and with neighboring communities. Property is commonly held in shared pools rather than as private ownership, and mobility is deliberate to reduce risk.

Ritual life centers on communal meals, story circles, and memory-keeping practices that reinforce group identity. Social norms stress solidarity, conflict resolution through mediation, and equal access to education and care for children.

Zhlukov has appeared in several speculative works and role-playing settings, where it is used to explore themes of decentralization, cooperation, and resilience in challenging environments.

Related concepts include communal living, cooperative economies, and nomadic or semi-nomadic social forms.