jámnmim

Jámnmim is a ceremonial object in the fictional Jamn culture. It consists of two flat discs linked by a cord and carved with geometric motifs. In lore, jamnmim functions as a symbol of communal memory and is used in rites of passage and seasonal celebrations to mark transitions and agreements.

Etymology: The name is said to come from the Jamn language, with jamn meaning circle or cycle and mim meaning voice or song. Dialectal variants include jamn-mim; the acute accent on á appears in some inscriptions to indicate stress.

Construction: Jamnmim is typically made from local hardwoods. Each disc is about 8–12 cm in diameter and 3–5 mm thick. They are joined by a fiber cord through aligned holes near the center, and surfaces may be engraved with hexagonal patterns or vine motifs; regional variants add beads or inlays.

Use and symbolism: In ceremonies, participants rotate the discs in rhythm while chanting. The motion is believed to synchronize breath and voice and to strengthen communal bonds. The object is often passed from elder to apprentice as a pledge, with ownership sometimes restricted to initiates.

Reception: In modern fictional contexts, jamnmim appears in literature and games as a symbol of heritage. Scholars discuss its semiotic value as a mediator of memory and community, and reproductions are common in museums or markets within the world, while authentic pieces are described as rare.