ilahdutti

Ilahdutti is a term in the fictional Ilahdutt language used to designate a ritual role and the associated ceremony within the cultural tradition of the Ilahdutt people. In traditional contexts, it refers both to the person who performs the rites and to the collective practices centered on their leadership.

The word is formed from ila- and hdutti, commonly interpreted as "light" or "moon" and "guardian" respectively, yielding a rough translation of "moon-guardian" or "light-keeper."

A ilahdutti presides over nocturnal rites during harvest and celestial events, conducts processions, recites verses, and interprets celestial signs for the community. They also serve as mediator between people and perceived ancestral or lunar forces and oversee initiations.

The earliest textual references appear in inscriptions from the early medieval period of the fictional region of Serya, dated to around the 9th century. By the later medieval era, the title was central to major urban ceremonies, though regional variation exists in duties and insignia.

In modern scholarship and literature, ilahdutti is used as a symbol of traditional authority and ritual knowledge. Analysts discuss its status as a hereditary office versus an appointed role and how the title intersects with gender norms and social hierarchy.

Related topics include ceremonial roles, lunar worship, and the historical region of Serya.