omsingelen

Omsingelen is a traditional participatory singing practice described in ethnographic fiction and worldbuilding contexts as originating from the fictional region of Omsingel in the northern highlands. The term combines imagined roots om- meaning around or enclosing, and singelen as a plural or collective form of singing in the culture’s reconstructed language. In the sources that reference omsingelen, it is presented as a communal activity rather than a performance by a single artist.

Performance practice centers on inclusive circle singing. Participants form a loose circle, with voices entering in a rotating sequence. A designated leader or a rotating chorus initiates a melodic line, while others layer additional vocal parts, often without fixed harmonies. Refrains, short call-and-response phrases, and improvised ornaments are common. Clapping, finger snaps, and light stepping may accompany the vocal texture, but instruments are typically minimal or absent. The tempo and dynamics are frequently negotiated in real time, allowing the group to respond to mood and occasion.

Context and function in omsingelen emphasize social cohesion. It is described as an activity at harvest celebrations, weddings, and communal work gatherings where participation reinforces communal identity and intergenerational transmission of songs and stories. The practice is also noted for its inclusivity, encouraging people of different ages and skill levels to contribute.

In modern contexts depicted in fiction and some worldbuilding projects, omsingelen is used as a narrative device to explore memory, belonging, and the dynamics of communal creativity. It has inspired contemporary musical workshops and composition approaches that seek to recreate the sense of collective authorship central to the tradition.