tositte

Tositte is a term used in speculative fiction and worldbuilding to denote a ritualized practice of communal storytelling and governance. In most depictions, tositte describes a formal gathering where community members share narratives, memories, or evidence to inform collective decisions and preserve cultural memory. The practice emphasizes listening, consent, and nondominance, often with a rotating facilitator and a written or digital ledger that records outcomes and stories.

Etymology and origins are typically fictional or varied by author. The word is a neologism created for narrative purposes rather than reflecting a single real-world language. Some writers imagine tositte as derived from constructed linguistic roots or as a blend of terms from multiple fantasy cultures.

Structure and rituals commonly associated with tositte include: participants sitting in a circle; a storyteller who initiates or carries a central thread; a timekeeper to regulate duration; and a scribe or ledger keeper who records proceedings. Rules may encourage speaking in turn, refrain from interruption, and ensure that multiple voices are documented. The ledger or record can function as a memory archive, a basis for decisions, or a reference for future gatherings.

Use in fiction and game design serves to explore themes of memory, legitimacy, and social cohesion. Tositte can portray local governance, ritual healing, or educational methods, illustrating how communities negotiate authority and preserve shared history. Critics view it as a versatile narrative device that allows writers to examine the dynamics of participatory culture without prescribing real-world procedures. See also: oral tradition, ritual, consensus decision-making, worldbuilding tropes.