segaja

Segaja is a term in the fictional world of Liria used to denote a river system and its surrounding cultural sphere. The Segaja River runs from northern uplands to a broad delta on the western coast, about 320 kilometers long, feeding a fertile floodplain that supports villages and agriculture.

Etymology and scope: The name Segaja comes from the Segaj language family, with seg meaning water and aja meaning path. Beyond the river, segaja designates a yearly river festival and a group of ceremonial boats used in processions.

Geography and hydrology: The river basin spans multiple districts; seasonal floods govern planting cycles; deposition shapes the landscape. The health of the Segaja is tied to aquifer levels and upstream land use.

History: Archaeology indicates human occupation along Segaja since the Bronze Age, with early cities relying on irrigation. Later empires built canal networks to expand cultivation and trade.

Culture and society: The Segaja festival, held after the first rains, features boat processions, water-blessing rites, and the planting of a sapling at the delta. Segaja artisans craft ceremonial oars and carved vessels for ritual use.

Economy and environment: The river supports fisheries and irrigation; local authorities regulate water rights and flood-control infrastructure. Current challenges include pollution, sedimentation, and invasive species; conservation programs emphasize catchment protection and sustainable water use.