unalmassá

Unalmassá is a fictional concept used in worldbuilding and speculative fiction to describe a communal redistribution ritual among coastal communities in the imagined archipelago of Leterra. It appears as both a practiced event and a social idea within the created culture, serving as a narrative tool to explore non-market forms of exchange.

In the fictional ethnography, the term denotes a practice in which households pool surplus food, crafts, and tools during a yearly gathering, and items are redistributed according to a community ledger and a system of credit tickets. The etymology is attributed to the local language, with scholars glossing unalmassá as roughly “sharing the measure” or “balance of goods,” though exact translations vary by region within the imagined setting.

During unalmassá, participants bring offerings to a central hall, where items are weighed, recorded, and allocated to households with the greatest need. The event also features storytelling, music, and apprenticeships, reinforcing social ties and the transfer of traditional knowledge. The ritual thus functions as both an economic mechanism and a cultural ceremony, reinforcing norms of reciprocity and mutual aid.

In storytelling and games, unalmassá serves as an illustration of non-market exchange and reciprocity, contrasting with market-based economies. It is used by creators to explore themes of inequality, solidarity, and governance without currency-focused narratives. Some scholars treat unalmassá as a broad social principle rather than a single festival, noting regional variants that alter timing, attire, or leadership roles.