korohet

Korohet is a term used in speculative ethnography and world-building to denote a traditional ritual practice of a fictional community called the Koro. The concept is commonly employed in novels, role-playing games, and scholarly-style appendices describing imagined cultures. In these contexts, korohet functions as a social mechanism for reinforcing group identity, redistributing resources, and transmitting intergenerational knowledge.

In the fictional canon, korohet is said to derive from the Koro language, with koro meaning "together" and het meaning "to bind" or "to weave."

The rite typically unfolds during a seasonal festival and lasts several days. Core activities include communal feasting, the weaving of ceremonial banners, singing or chanting, and the telling and reenactment of origin stories. Elders mentor younger participants as youths undertake tasks that symbolize maturity and responsibility.

Korohet serves to restore social balance after crises, reinforce reciprocal obligations, and transmit customary knowledge about land, law, and lineage. Participation is often structured by age groups, with elders and chiefs guiding proceedings while the broader community contributes crafts, food, or performances.

Authors vary in their portrayal of korohet, ranging from celebratory to solemn, sometimes emphasizing ritual purity, political symbolism, or musical invention. Despite differences, the core themes typically include memory, belonging, and resilience.

See also: ritual, initiation, folklore, world-building, cultural studies in fiction.