Kvo'sabi
Kvo'sabi is a week-long festival that celebrates the coming of spring. It usually occurs within the fifth or sixth month of the year.
Kvo'sabi is celebrated across Kreshniva, though in some places it's celebrated differently from others. How it's celebrated largely depends on where you are in Kreshniva. This is why when tourists visit Kreshniva for Kvo'sabi, they often travel to as many different towns or cities as they can.There are some similarities that most places' celebrations do have, however.
The festivities often involve feasts, markets filled with souvenirs, and a carnival with games. Another remarkable trait of Kvo'sabi is that during this festival, Kreshniva's controlling of its borders are somewhat relaxed. While they aren't outright welcoming tourists and telling them to feel at home, many Kreshmen seem to tolerate non-Kreshmen much more during Kvo'sabi. This has often been attributed to the markets and their souvenirs, as those are often popular stops for tourists.
Kvo'sabi is celebrated across Kreshniva, though in some places it's celebrated differently from others. How it's celebrated largely depends on where you are in Kreshniva. This is why when tourists visit Kreshniva for Kvo'sabi, they often travel to as many different towns or cities as they can.There are some similarities that most places' celebrations do have, however.
The festivities often involve feasts, markets filled with souvenirs, and a carnival with games. Another remarkable trait of Kvo'sabi is that during this festival, Kreshniva's controlling of its borders are somewhat relaxed. While they aren't outright welcoming tourists and telling them to feel at home, many Kreshmen seem to tolerate non-Kreshmen much more during Kvo'sabi. This has often been attributed to the markets and their souvenirs, as those are often popular stops for tourists.
Decor
The decorations used for the week of Kvo'sabi are minimalistic. In some places, the only way to tell that it's the week of Kvo'sabi is by the higher-than-normal number of non-Kreshman, the market area having significantly more stalls, and (in some places) some strands of lanterns hanging from buildings and light posts.History
Due to Kreshniva's position so close to the northern pole, they often have a winter that lasts for several months longer than in the more temperate places in Actrein. Because of this, the coming of spring brings much celebration and joy.
The name "Kvo'sabi" comes from the Kreshnei words for "spring" and "sunrise" - sabimut and kvomas, respectively.
Kvo'sabi began as a ritual of springtime offerings, in which Kreshmen would offer up their first hunt of the spring to the Vel Ghiti. As time passed, however, the offerings turned into elaborate feasts.
The name "Kvo'sabi" comes from the Kreshnei words for "spring" and "sunrise" - sabimut and kvomas, respectively.
Kvo'sabi began as a ritual of springtime offerings, in which Kreshmen would offer up their first hunt of the spring to the Vel Ghiti. As time passed, however, the offerings turned into elaborate feasts.
Execution
Kvo'sabi as a whole signifies a transition from the hardships of winter to the bounties of springtime.
On the second day, they begin eating small amounts of the foods they preserved and set aside during the winter, like potatoes.This day also often brings prayer to the Vel Ghiti. Most of the prayer would be individual, but at about midday there would be a larger mass prayer.
The third day, they eat as they do throughout the rest of spring. Often this day also has an offering to the Vel Ghiti made by the local Vel Tuturi priest. After the third afternoon, the rest of Kvo'sabi is festival celebrations.
The fourth day often has large feasts, sometimes even parades in the larger cities.
The fifth and final day of Kvo'sabi brings spectacular displays created by Show Mages, using multiple types of elemental magic.
Celebrations Throughout the Week
On the first day that the sunlight touches Kreshniva's eastern border, there is excessive drinking with little to no food. This is either done on the first day or on the night of the first day.On the second day, they begin eating small amounts of the foods they preserved and set aside during the winter, like potatoes.This day also often brings prayer to the Vel Ghiti. Most of the prayer would be individual, but at about midday there would be a larger mass prayer.
The third day, they eat as they do throughout the rest of spring. Often this day also has an offering to the Vel Ghiti made by the local Vel Tuturi priest. After the third afternoon, the rest of Kvo'sabi is festival celebrations.
The fourth day often has large feasts, sometimes even parades in the larger cities.
The fifth and final day of Kvo'sabi brings spectacular displays created by Show Mages, using multiple types of elemental magic.
Components and tools
- The preserves from the winter
- Alcoholic beverages
- An unknown hallucinogenic substance that seems to be used during prayer (Kreshmen won't say what exactly it is)
- Spices mixed in with the drinks (Some say it's just spices like cinnamon, others say "spices" is euphemistic)
- Tents (For both the markets and the carnivals/games)
- An altar for the offering (Normally the offering is done at the altar of the nearest Vel Tuturi church, but if either distance or extenuating circumstances prevent a church from being accessible, some towns and villages have been known to create their own ceremonial altar specifically for that purpose)
- The offering itself (Usually the first animal killed during the festivities)
Participants
Show Mages play a large part in the fifth day's celebrations, as well as the parades that some cities have.
Beyond that, everyone is expected to be present at the offering and the mass prayer. Often the one presiding over both things is the highest-ranking Vel Tuturi church official. If they are unable to perform their duties, the replacement is often the mayor of the town/village/city.
Aside from the offering and the mass prayer, however, the rest of Kvo'sabi is self-led. If someone chooses, they can skip out on the drinking of the first day (though many agree that doing so is missing out).
Beyond that, everyone is expected to be present at the offering and the mass prayer. Often the one presiding over both things is the highest-ranking Vel Tuturi church official. If they are unable to perform their duties, the replacement is often the mayor of the town/village/city.
Aside from the offering and the mass prayer, however, the rest of Kvo'sabi is self-led. If someone chooses, they can skip out on the drinking of the first day (though many agree that doing so is missing out).
Observance
Kvo'sabi does not have a set date. Rather, it starts when the first ray of sunshine spreads across the eastern border of Kreshniva. This is why some years, Kvo'sabi falls within the fifth month, while others it falls within the sixth.
"If you enjoy travelling, you absolutely have to visit Kreshniva during Kvo'sabi at least once."
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