ownas

Ownas is a traditional musical and social practice described in sources about the fictional archipelago of Neral in the world of Valara. It denotes both the communal singing events and the repertoire performed during those gatherings. The term is etymologically traced to a Neral root meaning together, with a pluralizing suffix, reflecting the collective nature of the practice.

Practice and form

Ownas performances are typically organized around open-community gatherings that occur seasonally and for special rites. A core feature is polyphonic singing, often performed by rotating groups of singers who alternate lead and chorus parts. Percussion, hand claps, and simple wooden scrapers accompany the vocals, with melodies drawing on microtonal scales and modal frameworks specific to the tradition. Improvisation is allowed within defined melodic routines, and certain songs are associated with particular events or stories.

Social function

Ownas serves as a vehicle for oral history, genealogical memory, and social cohesion. Songs often recount ancestral lineages, harvest cycles, or local legends, reinforcing communal identity across generations. Participation is inclusive, with norms directing who may lead, how parts are allocated, and how the performance concludes.

Documentation and status

Historical references to ownas appear in regional chronicles and ethnographic reports within Valaran literature. In modern contexts, proponents advocate for including ownas in cultural education and regional festivals, as well as in contemporary music projects that reinterpret traditional motifs while preserving core practices.

See also

Indigenous music of Valara; polyphony; oral tradition.