Sietch

Original Dune

This article or section refers to elements from Original Dune.

2	Sietch

The term Sietch was the Fremen term for a community or village.

Location

A sietch was typically located within the mountains or rock outcrops that were scattered throughout the deserts of Arrakis, hidden from the harsh sun Canopus. It was located within either a man-made or a naturally carved cave system, or occasionally a combination of both.

Infrastructure

The physical infrastructure of a sietch consisted of living and ceremonial quarters. It was governed by a Naib, and was constantly guarded, primarily from any hostile off-world humans.

Most Fremen living within a sietch would share much. However, some privacy was allowed, especially when it came to spending time with the family. As such, a Fremen and his family would usually be assigned a small number of rooms within the sietch. This was referred to as his yali. When a Fremen died, his yali typically went to his son, unless he died in the Tahaddi Challenge, in which case the yali went to the victor.

Some sietches, such as Sietch Tabr, also housed a windtrap, as well as a stunted sandworm for Water of Life rituals. It would also be where the spice orgy would occur.

Etymology

The term Sietch originally meant "place of assembly in time of danger", (and possibly held some relevance to the word siege). Compare with the sich (Russian sech), the chief fortress refuge settlement of the Ukrainian cossacks of Old Earth. However, due to the constantly threatened nature of Fremen life, the term evolved into a general term for a communal gathering.

Known Sietches

• Coanua Sietch
• False Sietch
• Red Chasm Sietch
• Sietch Abbir
• Sietch Gara Kulon
• Sietch Jacurutu
• Sietch Makab
• Sietch Tabr
• Tuek's Sietch
• Umbu Sietch
• Windgap Sietch

Behind the scenes

It is worth noting the similarity between Sietch and "Seeq", which is one of the Arabic names of the ancient desert town of Petra, accessible only via a narrow passage. Notice the similarities in the structure, and the name.

The word appears once in the narrative of Dune: The Butlerian Jihad to describe the shelter of Naib Dhartha's tribe. However it is not mentioned in dialogue therefore it is not clear if the word indeed was spoken during the time of the Butlerian Jihad