maihinsa

Ma ihinsa is a fictional social practice described in the worldbuilding canon of the Therin region. It denotes a system of reciprocity, obligation, and governance that binds households and communities through ritual exchanges and communal decision-making.

Etymology: The term is said to derive from Therin roots meaning “to share” and “bond.” In in-world usage, ma ihinsa is treated as an ancient concept dating back to the founding clans, though later texts describe regional variations.

Practice: Ma ihinsa centers on an annual assembly in which households exchange tokens representing work, goods, or obligations. These tokens formalize reciprocation: if one household provides labor or resources, others owe similar acts in the future. The assembly also adjudicates disputes over resource rights, use of common land, and kin-based obligations. Elders or elected mediators oversee proceedings.

Social role: It shapes kinship networks, property management, and leadership legitimacy. Individuals gain status through reliable fulfillment of ma ihinsa obligations, and communities use the system to coordinate collective projects such as irrigation, defense, or festival organization.

Variations and influence: Different regions implement ma ihinsa with distinct rules, from strict quotas to more flexible moral obligations. In contemporary fiction, it is often used to explore themes of trust, coercion, and social sustainability.

References: It appears in in-world ethnographies, poetry, and novels, and is discussed by fictional scholars in encyclopedic companion volumes.