charlabas

Charlabas is a term used in the fictional culture of the Veiled Archipelago, referring to an annual communal rite combining storytelling, music, and shared meals, held at the end of the harvest season.

In the in-universe language, charlabas is said to be composed of char- meaning gathering and labas meaning light, though scholars disagree on exact roots. Some propose influence from neighboring languages; variations in texts include charlaba and charlavas.

The event centers on a public bonfire, where elders recount legends while participants sing communal songs; participants exchange tokens and compose ephemeral verses; the ritual lasts from dusk until dawn; food is prepared in communal cauldrons.

Culturally, charlabas is seen as a rite of social cohesion and memory making. Many families trace lineages to specific ceremonies, and the rite also marks agricultural transitions and the spiritual beliefs of the people.

In fiction and scholarship, charlabas appears across several works within the Veiled Archipelago lore. Critics note its symbolic function in fostering collective identity, while fan communities discuss variations in practice. Outside of fiction, the concept has inspired analogies in studies of communal rituals.