ntori

Ntori is a term used in a fictional cultural setting to describe a system of mutual aid and reciprocal obligation that governs a community's sharing of resources and labor. It functions as a social mechanism rather than a formal currency, coordinating help during scarcity and celebrating communal ties through shared rituals and gatherings.

Etymology: The word derives from the Ntori language, with roots that scholars translate as roughly "together" and "care."

Practice: During ntori cycles, households contribute time, labor, or goods into a communal pool. When members face need—illness, crop failure, or other hardship—the pool yields support, such as food, tools, or assistance with work. Decisions are typically made by a local council and governed by agreed rules to prevent abuse.

Cultural significance and representation: Ntori reinforces social bonds, transmits communal norms, and reduces vulnerability by spreading risk. In literature and worldbuilding, ntori is used as a symbol of collective resilience and interdependence, as well as a device to explore questions of trust, obligation, and reciprocity.

Variants and related concepts: In some depictions, ntori includes formal rites (ntori rite) and pledge practices (ntori pledge) that mark the start of a cycle or the renewal of commitments. Related ideas include mutual aid, cooperative economies, and social capital.