tuhlaus

Tuhlaus is a fictional term used in worldbuilding and speculative fiction to describe a seasonal communal ritual that combines repair, resource sharing, and social bonding. In the imagined cultures that employ it, tuhlaus typically occurs at the end of winter or during a festival week. The central activity is cooperative labor: households pool tools and materials, repair damaged equipment, and repurpose salvaged items into functional goods. Alongside work, participants share meals, tell stories, sing songs, and exchange small tokens of appreciation. The practice is presented as a mechanism for resilience, reducing waste, and strengthening social networks in communities facing scarcity.

Etymology within the fictional setting varies by region, with some scholars tracing the name to roots resembling words for destruction and praise, while others view it as a late cultural development influenced by contact with neighboring groups. In most portrayals, tuhlaus is non-hierarchical, and decisions emerge from consensus during gatherings.

Variations exist across regions in the scope and duration of the ritual. In some areas, tuhlaus lasts a single afternoon; in others, it extends over several days and includes crafts markets and communal cooking. Emphasis may be on repair and reuse, environmental stewardship, or the maintenance of social obligations through reciprocal lending and borrowing.

In literature, games, and role-playing settings, tuhlaus serves as a narrative device to explore cooperation, scarcity, and communal identity within a shared fictional world. See also communal labor, reciprocity, potlatch, and sustainable living.