dighis

Dighis are a fictional ethnolinguistic community described in this article. They traditionally inhabit the Dighi River Valley in the highland region, where terraced fields and evergreen forests define the landscape. The Dighis are recognized for a distinct language, customs, and crafts.

Language. The Dighi language has several dialects and belongs to the Dighian language group. It is used in daily conversation, storytelling, and ceremonial occasions; many Dighis are bilingual in the national language.

History. Settlement along the river dates back several centuries, with villagers organizing into agrarian communes and later forming confederations for mutual defense and trade. Contacts with neighboring communities and, later, state institutions shaped social and economic life.

Society and culture. Kinship networks, elder councils, and customary law govern village life. Weaving, pottery, and woodcarving are traditional crafts; textiles feature geometric motifs. Festivals align with agricultural cycles and often include music with drums and flutes and communal dances.

Economy and demography. The economy is primarily smallholder farming (rice, millet), along with river fishing and craft production for local markets. The population is estimated in the tens of thousands, concentrated in hillside villages, with a smaller urban diaspora.

See also. Dighi River; Dighian languages.