suruõhu
Suruõhu is a ceremonial practice described in the ethnographic literature of the Nyamori archipelago. It refers to a multigenerational gathering that combines song, dance, and the redistribution of resources during the annual harvest festival. The event is hosted by neighborhoods and organized by a rotating committee; participation is typically open to all households in the community.
The term derives from the Nyamori roots suru- "to share" and õhu "voice" or "song." In regional
Practices vary by island but share core elements: a circular or semi-circular seating arrangement, a lead chanter
Eastern island communities favor narrative performances that recount ancestral deeds, while western communities emphasize physical dance
Suruõhu is viewed as a primary mechanism for social cohesion, mutual aid, and cultural memory. Scholars note