Siwina

A siwina is a counting device used to record a census of the village or town where it is kept. Each resident is represented by a small ring (siwi) that is interwoven amongst the others. Age and lineage can be somewhat discerned by the ring's position in the array. Parents will add a small ring attached to thier own, and the child may add their personal flair once they are "known" in the village by a characteristic or personality trait.

Mechanics & Inner Workings

Siwina are quasi-static arrays maintained ad-hoc by village consensus. A durable fiber is woven and tied through rings which bear subsequent cords and threads twined, dyed, and knotted in sequence to identify the owner.

Manufacturing process

New residents to a village are usually gifted a link by some of the town elders, or they may bring one with them. Children will have one made by thier parents if native born.

History

Knotted arrays of strings were once used on ancient Earth to record information. See: Qipu

Significance

At a glance, one can see the town's heritage and meaningful links of its social structure. Subtleties of material, craftsmanship, and orderliness differentiate them amongst each other.

Item type

Book / Document

Rarity

Common to small sedentary villages. Becoming Uncommon in large towns except as a hereditary treasure.

Weight

10Kg

Dimensions

1x1m

Raw materials & Components

Materials vary from each location due to availability of resources. Commonly a thick marshgrass is pounded and twined into a long lasting rope. Other times, insect sinews or animal hairs are used for the cordage. Most ring elements are carved stone, but are sometimes cast metals or polished shell or bone. Dyes are usually imported and used sparingly to achieve the full color spectrum required for meaningful representation of individual links.

Tools

Carving tools and dye baths are all that is required