zhurmës

Zhurmës is a traditional communal ritual described in fictional ethnographic sources as practiced by communities of the Verdallee Highlands. The term refers both to the event itself and to the set of practices surrounding it, including storytelling, song, and shared meals. Etymology: The word is purported to derive from a local root meaning “to gather” and a suffix denoting an ongoing practice; regional variants exist across villages.

Practice: A zhurmës gathering typically occurs at a central place such as a village square or hall, led by a designated host. The program proceeds in three phases: invitation and preparation, narrative and song, and a communal feast. A lead storyteller presents a legacy tale—often genealogical or mythic—accompanied by a chorus and modest instrumental music. Ceremonial objects, such as carved memory stones or tokens, are circulated to symbolize the sharing of personal histories. Emphasis is placed on intergenerational participation, with elders guiding the younger participants.

Social function: Zhurmës serves to transmit oral history, reinforce social bonds, and reaffirm collective identity. It is typically held during harvest festivals or seasonal transitions, though regional variants exist in timing and repertoire. The ritual also provides informal means for conflict mediation through customary rites.

Contemporary status: In the fictional corpus, zhurmës faces pressures from migration and modernization, yet revival efforts appear in cultural festivals and school curricula that seek to preserve the repertory of stories and songs.

See also: oral tradition, ritual, festival, community memory.