súinu

Súinu is a traditional ritual and communal performance described in ethnographic accounts of the fictional Súnic culture of the Skari Archipelago. It weaves together narrative chant, song, and textile making to mark significant communal occasions such as harvests, migrations, and rites of passage. The event is organized around a central circle where participants alternate between singing, spoken storytelling, and weaving, creating a synchronized, multipart performance.

Etymology and terminology: The term súinu is usually translated as "song-weave" or "threaded story." The root súin- appears in several Súnic dialects, but scholars disagree about its precise origin, with some linking it to weaving terminology and others to vocal imagery.

Practice: A súinu session begins with preparation of weaving patterns and selection of verses. A lead singer guides the tempo; percussion such as a hand drum marks the rhythm. Sessions may last a few hours to several days, depending on the occasion and regional tradition.

Social and cultural role: Súinu serves to transmit memory, customary law, and communal values; it reinforces social bonds and provides apprenticeship for youth in both weaving and storytelling. It is performed during public festivals and private gatherings, and often involves elders, artisans, and musicians working in concert.

History and modern status: First documented in late 19th-century ethnographies, súinu has undergone changes during modernization and diaspora. In recent decades, revival efforts have sought to standardize motifs while preserving regional variations. Contemporary practice varies by community but remains central to cultural identity in the fictional Súnic world.