soojades

Soojades is a term used in a fictional world to designate a family of ceremonial ceramic vessels integral to Solari culture. In this context, soojades function as both serving ware and ritual objects, central to communal meals, ceremonies, and storytelling traditions. The name is derived from Solari roots meaning sun and vessel, reflecting their distinctive sun-inspired decoration.

Design and manufacture

Soojades are typically circular and shallow, with a broad lip and a narrow foot. They range in diameter from about 18 to 22 centimeters and stand roughly 6 to 8 centimeters tall. The exterior is usually decorated with cobalt-blue and white motifs that depict suns, tides, birds, and geometric wave patterns. The interiors are left unglazed or only lightly glazed to reveal the natural clay color. They are commonly wheel-thrown from locally sourced red or buff clay, then coated with a lead-free glaze and fired in wood-fired kilns to a mid-range stoneware level. Traditional soojades bear hand-turned handles or small lug handles for passing.

Use and cultural significance

In daily life, soojades are used to portion and share a light broth or fermented beverage during meals, with the serving of each vessel symbolizing reciprocity and hospitality. During ceremonial occasions, vessels are arranged in a specific sequence on the communal table and passed clockwise among participants, reinforcing social bonds and memory. Variants exist for family groups or guilds, with larger versions reserved for public feasts.

History and distribution

Artifacts and references to soojades appear in the fictional record dating to the early medieval period within the Solari archipelago. They experienced a revival in modern times through craft cooperatives, and today they are produced by dedicated potters and collectors within the imagined culture.