akými

Akými is a fictional cultural practice described in worldbuilding and speculative fiction, associated with the island archipelago of Sânar. It denotes a structured ritual of communal listening, storytelling, and song that reinforces memory, identity, and social cohesion among participants.

The term comes from the Akím language, where akými literally means "listening together" or "hear as one." The practice differentiates from solitary performance by its emphasis on shared reception.

Akými is traditionally performed during the spring harvest festival, lasting three nights. A designated storyteller, often called the Táyak, presents an epic recounting the founding myths and genealogies, while participants respond with refrains and questions. A small ensemble of drums, flutes, and voice accompanies the narration. The circle arrangement and alternating voices encourage participation across generations.

The ritual serves as a repository of history, moral instruction, and communal decision-making. It often includes a ritual adjudication segment during which minor disputes are temporarily suspended and resolved through consensus guided by the epic narrative.

Local communities maintain variants in performance length and ensemble composition. Modern revivals may adapt akýmí for contemporary venues or translated versions, provoking debates about preserving authenticity versus accessibility.

In-world references include The Chronicles of Sânar Isles; Oral tradition; Epic poetry.