riataare

Riataare is a traditional practice of the fictional Riataari culture of the Valaran Highlands. The term combines riata, a rope or lariat in several regional languages, with the suffix -are, used to denote a system of crafts and rituals. Riataare encompasses rope making, knot work, and associated performances such as ceremonial songs and storytelling conducted at communal gatherings.

Core activities include plant-fiber rope production, cord weaving, and decorative rope painting. Materials are locally sourced, typically fiber from agave or wild flax, dyed with plant extracts to produce a limited palette. The practice centers on three knot traditions—overhand weave, double reef bend, and fisherman's knot—each associated with specific ceremonies. Ropes are used in rites, livestock handling, and adornments on ceremonial structures, symbolizing unity and continuity within the community.

Transmission and social role: The craft is taught through apprenticeships led by senior riataari, elders who preserve historical knowledge and oversee community events that feature riataare. The practice serves as a social bridge across generations, marking rites of passage such as harvest, marriage, and temple consecrations. In the modern era, riataare is recognized within this fictional setting as part of intangible cultural heritage, with some communities using exhibitions and workshops to share techniques with visitors while maintaining traditional rules of apprenticeship and ceremony.