ttatte

Ttatte is a traditional communal performance described in this article as a fictional cultural practice that combines dance, percussion, and call-and-response singing. In the imagined ethnography from the region of Aralya, ttatte functions as both a ritual and a social event, intended to mark seasonal cycles and communal gatherings.

The name ttatte is presented as deriving from a hypothetical verb tatt- meaning "to gather" in the local language of Aralya, with the reduplication forming a plural or plural-collective sense.

According to fictional chronicles, ttatte emerged in the highland settlements in the 12th century and spread to neighboring communities through trade routes and seasonal labor migration. Scholars within the imagined tradition view revival movements in the 18th and 19th centuries as part of a broader cultural renaissance.

Typical performances involve groups of eight to twelve participants. A lead vocalist delivers a sequence of call phrases, which the chorus repeats and responds to. The dancers maintain a circular or serpentine formation, synchronizing foot-stomps with wooden percussion and rattles. Costumes are modest, often plain tunics and belts, with seasonal colors added for ceremonies. The music emphasizes polyrhythms and call-and-response dynamics rather than melodic complexity.

There are ritual ttatte performances, performed at rites of passage or harvest festivals, and festival ttatte, which is choreographed for public entertainment at markets or town squares. In modern practice, groups often adapt elements for contemporary settings while preserving core rhythmic and communal aspects.