kaftts

Kaftts are traditional communal events practiced by communities on the southern archipelago of Eldoria. They function as multi-day festivals that blend music, dance, craft workshops, and storytelling, and they also describe the social networks formed around these gatherings.

Etymology: The term kaftts comes from the Kaftari language, with a root kaft- meaning "to unite" and a plural suffix -ts that marks collective action. Historical records from Eldorian seafaring communities first cite kaftts in the 12th century.

Practices: The event usually opens with a dawn procession along coral lanes, followed by communal workshops in weaving, pottery, and beadwork. Evening performances feature drums and wind instruments, with a kaft chorus recounting ancestral tales. Food is shared in open halls.

Cultural significance and regional variants: Kaftts reinforce social cohesion, mediate disputes, and enable inter-village alliances. Variants exist: southern islands emphasize sea shanties and maritime motifs, while northern communities highlight beadwork patterns and mythic narratives.

Contemporary status: Today, kaftts are celebrated in annual festivals and supported by cultural institutions. Many artisans adapt traditional techniques for modern audiences, and scholars document oral histories. Some groups maintain formal troupes that travel between islands.

See also: Traditional festivals of Eldoria; textile crafts; oral storytelling.