valenními

Valenními is a term from the fictional Valen language designating a corpus of ritual songs used in communal rites. The word denotes both the songs and the practice of performing them. Etymology commonly presented as valen- “to sing” plus ními “collection” with a plural suffix -mi, though regional variants alter pronunciation.

Traditional valenními are structured into cycles that recount origin myths, genealogies, and ethical teachings. Performances are typically led by bards or chanters who improvise through fixed melodic formulas and refrains. Instrumental accompaniment may include a lute-like instrument called the kuv or percussion, but many communities preserve the oral tradition by singing a cappella. There are two main categories: valenními-dël (hymns of praise) and valenními-lä (narrative sagas).

Historically, valenními emerged in the early medieval period of Northvale and were transmitted orally among urban and rural groups. The earliest known written references appear in the Northvale Manuscripts (c. 9th–11th centuries). A major revival occurred in the 18th century, followed by modern collections compiled by scholars in the 19th–21st centuries.

In contemporary scholarship, valenními are studied for linguistic, ethnographic, and musical reasons. They are used in cultural education and are sometimes performed at festivals to reinforce community identity. The term also appears in contemporary literature and music as a symbol of enduring oral culture.