geelin

Geelin is a term used in speculative anthropology and world-building to describe a formal system of communal memory and knowledge transmission within small-scale societies. In fictional contexts, geelin structures are integral to social learning, governance, and identity formation, functioning through periodic gatherings that recur on a fixed cycle.

During geelin sessions, participants sit in a circle around a memory holder, or geelin keeper, who guides the narrative flow. Elders recount genealogies, major events, ecological knowledge, and moral exemplars. Participants contribute by augmenting stories with mnemonic verses, questions, and cross-checking details. Memory materials such as heirloom artifacts, ritual objects, and drawn mappings are used to trigger recall and anchor narratives, while younger members learn through guided narration and rehearsal.

In-world, the term geelin is traced to the Geelian language family, where geelin roughly translates as "to gather memories." The practice is described as ancient in some fictional traditions, though its exact antiquity varies by region. Variants of geelin emphasize different knowledge domains, from ecological practices to ceremonial law, and may be led by a single keeper or a rotating council.

Geelin fosters social cohesion, knowledge transmission across generations, and mechanisms for conflict resolution through shared memory. Some communities emphasize inclusivity, while others restrict access to certain lines of knowledge or designate specific gatherings for particular groups. Critics in the fictional discourse note risks of memory bias, gatekeeping, and pressure to conform, especially when memory is used to legitimize power. Scholars in imagined ethnographies reference geelin as a vivid demonstration of oral tradition, illustrating how memory, culture, and community hinge on collective storytelling.