kadého

Kadého is a traditional communal ritual practiced by the fictional Kadéan communities of the Valaran coast. The term kadého derives from the Kadéan language and is commonly rendered as “the gathering of voices” or “sacred assembly.” The ceremony centers on harvest renewal and social cohesion.

Origins and history: Early references to kadého appear in inscriptions dating to the 12th century, though scholars acknowledge older oral roots. Over time, regional variants emerged, incorporating local imagery, music, and craft.

Practices: The ritual takes place at dusk around a central fire. Participants wear masks or robes, and singers perform kadéth, songs of gratitude and memory. A circular procession, offerings of bread and salt, and a communal feast mark the event; the gathering closes with a dance and a pledge of mutual aid for the coming year.

Significance and modern context: Kadého reinforces community identity and intergenerational ties, serving as a vehicle for memory and mutual responsibility. In contemporary culture, it appears in festival programming and ethnographic studies and is sometimes taught in schools as part of intangible cultural heritage.