mehujen

Mehujen refers to an ethnolinguistic community in the highland regions of Valora. The term denotes the people, their language, and a set of customary practices that bind settlements across valley communities.

Etymology and identity: The name mehujen appears in local records from the 18th century. Scholars debate its origins, offering theories that connect it to Valoran terms for river or terrace, or to a phrase meaning "people of the terraces."

Geography and population: Mehujen communities are concentrated along the Theron River valley and nearby uplands, with major towns at Arohan, Beshar, and Cilan. Population estimates range from several tens of thousands, including diaspora communities in neighboring regions.

Language: Mehujen is part of the Valarian language family and consists of several dialects, notably eastern and western forms. Traditionally oral, it has been increasingly documented and, in some areas, written in a local script.

Culture and economy: Social life centers on elder councils and kin groups. Typical crafts include weaving, metalwork, and pottery, tied to agricultural cycles and seasonal festivals. Mehujen communities participate in broader regional markets while maintaining distinctive ceremonial dress and music.

Contemporary status: Modernization, land pressure, and migration have affected intergenerational language transmission. Documentation projects and cultural organizations aim to record dialect variation, preserve traditional practices, and support livelihoods through craft and agricultural entrepreneurship.