The Yumeri Festival

The Yumeri Festival seems a strange celebration to outsiders since the “guest of honor” happens to be an edible root that has little taste to it and that many find quite repulsive unless it’s loaded with a great deal of spices to cover the blandness. However, to the people of Uran, this root is a salvation that is quite often the only thing that keeps those unable to afford more fanciful foods alive during the harshest, coldest times of year. The creativity of those who make meals from this plant is impressive, as it can be used to make any number of dishes, up to and including desserts. It goes to show that people can adapt to nearly anything when faced with great need.
-Wynth Onyxorb, bard of the Singing History Guild

History

This festival has been around as far as any in Uran can remember. It has always taken place after the first harvest of the year. The people of Uran have always felt a deep gratitude for the plant this festival celebrates, and, while small changes might have been made here and there in the execution of the festival, it has remained mostly unchanged so far as any can remember.

Execution

The first harvest is where it begins. The week is taken to fully harvest the root, which is kept in specially made storehouses in each farming community. The most desirable of the roots are put into barrels that are separate from the rest so that they may be used or the three days of the festival.
The men and boys of each family do the harvesting, pulling the roots from the hard ground and putting them into wagons. At mid-day, they will take the roots to the storehouses for sorting, although first they are greeted with a nourishing meal. If there are families who are without men or boys who are capable of doing the work, their neighbors will assure that those families are supplied with some to aid them.
After all of the root is harvested and sorted, which on average takes about five days, preparations for the festival begin. The women and girls of the settlement all get together to make various dishes from the Yumeri Root, cooking them in communal clay ovens. During the two full days of preparing and cooking, the men and boys set things up for the feast, gathering enough tables and chairs to seat everyone and taking out the festival dinnerware to prepare it for use. This is the time for the small children to take part, carrying bowls and plates to put them where they're needed. The final touches are done by these small ones, who are given colorful ribbons and bows to decorate the feasting area as they please.
The feast is an all-day affair, all dishes incorporating the root, from soup to main dish to dessert. Many thanks are given for the life-sustaining root, and the day is ended with a large bonfire where the root is roasted on sticks and then covered in a sweet syrup.

Participants

The entire community takes part in one way or another. This festival is not only one to honor the Yumeri Root, but also one to celebrate community and family. It is a way to encourage all to work together and help each other throughout the year.

Observance

The first harvest of the Yumeri Root takes place the first week of the month of Lavahl. It begins at first light and continues until mid-day, at which time the fruits of the labor are taken to the storehouse, where they will be sorted and put into barrels.