maandades

Maandades is a term used in worldbuilding and speculative fiction to describe a monthly communal gathering focused on memory, storytelling, and reciprocal exchange. Usually held once per lunar cycle in a hall, square, or temple, maandades bring together households and neighbors to share histories, songs, crafts, and resources. A council or elder committee often records notable events from the gathering for archive purposes.

Etymology: The word is invented for fictional settings, combining elements meaning month and gathering in the culture’s language.

Practice and function: Maandades function as a social contract, renewing hospitality and mutual aid among neighbors. They also serve to pass down knowledge, reaffirm community bonds, and coordinate support during lean periods.

Variations: In coastal communities, maandades emphasize seafaring lore and harvest songs; in highland towns, mountain myths and skygazer observations predominate. Some locales host child maandades to introduce youngsters to communal roles.

History: In-universe chronicles describe maandades as arising after a long famine and later becoming a regular monthly rite rather than a seasonal festival.

In fiction and games: Maandades are used to structure social interaction, worldbuilding lore, and quest hooks, with attendance rules and gift exchanges varying by setting.

See also: festivals, lunar calendars, oral tradition.