smaení

Smaení is a fictional concept used in world-building and speculative fiction to describe a traditional practice of communal memory formation among the Smaeni, a hypothetical cultural group. It refers to an annually recurring ritual in which elders and younger participants gather to preserve genealogies, local histories, and cultural myths through a combination of oral narration, chanted verses, and the exchange of memory tokens. The practice aims to create a shared chronicle that can be transmitted across generations and across communities.

Etymology and origins: The term is drawn from the Smaeni language within the fictional setting; sma- denotes recall or remember, while -éni is a nominal suffix indicating a practice or discipline. The earliest references place smaení in the river-valley city of Valara, around the 12th century of the Smaeni calendar, with later branches spreading via caravan routes.

Practice: A smaení gathering typically occurs at dusk during a communal feast. An appointed annalist begins with a backbone narrative, followed by a sequence of participant-led memories. Memorized verses may be sung, and memory tokens—small carved figurines or beads—are passed to new owners to symbolize the continuing ownership of each memory. The event concludes with a communal vow to preserve the chronicle's accuracy.

Cultural significance: Smaení reinforces social identity, lineage, and moral codes, functioning as an instrument of social cohesion. In contemporary fiction, it is often used to explore themes of memory, authenticity, and intergenerational transfer.