oyuyla

Oyuyla is a term used in speculative fiction and worldbuilding to denote a traditional social ritual centered on collective memory within a fictional community. In published worldbuilding literature, oyuyla is described as a multi-day gathering in which histories, laws, and ecological knowledge are transmitted from elders to younger generations through a combination of chant, storytelling, and the examination of symbolic artifacts.

Etymology and scope: The term is presented as originating from a fictional language associated with the imagined people who practice it. In many treatments, oyuyla is treated more as a cultural concept than a fixed custom, allowing regional or temporal variations across stories.

Practice and purpose: Core elements include memory cycles where genealogies are recited, environmental patterns are cataloged, and community decisions are discussed. Artifacts such as clay tablets, seed cords, and carved figures accompany the narratives. The ritual reinforces social bonds, moral norms, and intergenerational education, and it is often linked to survival strategies in the imagined environment.

Reception and usage: In both fiction and scholarly critique, oyuyla is used to examine how intangible heritage can be transmitted without formal writing systems, and how storytelling structures support resilience and group identity. Some works depict tensions between elders and youths over accuracy, adaptation, and preservation.

See also: related topics include oral tradition, intangible cultural heritage, and ritual.