haarangu

Haarangu is a ceremonial form of public address described in worldbuilding materials for the fictitious Haaru culture. It is delivered as an authoritative, extended speech during assemblies to declare laws, resolve disputes, or mobilize collective action. The form emphasizes legitimacy and communal consent, rather than adversarial debate.

Etymology: In the Haaru language, haarangu combines roots meaning voice and call, signaling its function as an official summons. Historical narratives within the lore trace its emergence from early ritual announcements evolving into a formal rhetorical genre in city-states.

Practice: A haarangu is typically delivered by a designated orator before an assembled audience. It often opens with a recital of shared values, proceeds through a sequence of declarations, and concludes with an oath or pledge. Rhythmic cadences, parallel clauses, and ceremonial gestures are common features.

Social role: Haarangu serves to coordinate decisions, legitimize new laws, and reinforce social hierarchies. It is associated with harvest festivals, council meetings, and crisis assemblies, and is frequently depicted as a mechanism for collective resolve in literature and games.

Criticism and variation: Scholars in worldbuilding contexts note that haarangu can confer cohesion and authority while potentially suppressing dissent. Variants exist across regions, ranging from concise urban forms to long ceremonial versions with regional stylistic differences.

See also: Harangue, Rhetoric, Oratory, Public address, Ceremonial law.