sisendi

Sisendi is a social and economic practice described in the fictional Riverine Confederacy of Eldara. It denotes a system of mutual aid and labor exchange designed to smooth seasonal risk, reinforce community ties, and reduce dependence on external markets. The term is rooted in the Riverine language, combining elements meaning share and effort.

In its core form, sisendi operates as a rotating pool of labor and resources. Households contribute a predetermined number of labor days to a community pool each season. In return, they gain access to collective labor when their own work capacity is limited by illness, injury, or poor harvests, and they may receive seeds, tools, or food tokens from the pool as needed. Payments are not cash-based but take the form of future labor or material support, creating a web of reciprocal obligations that extends across the village.

The system is typically overseen by a village council and appointed coordinators who monitor contributions, resolve disputes, and manage the allocation of resources. Decisions about how much to contribute, who receives help, and how to handle exceptional situations are often guided by customary rules, with elders or respected figures acting as mediators.

Historically, sisendi arose from long-standing practices of collective farming, seasonal migrations, and the need to survive scarce periods. In contemporary settings within Eldara, it survives as a cultural norm in some communities and has been adapted to include limited cash components or barter for goods that are not readily produced locally. Critics note that, without safeguards, it can place uneven burdens on disadvantaged households, while supporters argue that it enhances resilience and social solidarity.