Yaunakī

Yaunakī (nn.) /jaʊˈnɒkiː/, the remembrance celebration, is how Kaushan celebrate the anniversary of their birth. It is also celebrated for eight years ofter the death of a family member.

Execution

Overnight, messages of care and well-wishing are written on narrow strips of colorful cloth, called yiqaukal, and placed about the house, inside and out, to be found by the celebrant, or left in memory of them. They are attached to the walls with whatever adhesive is available or hung on nails put in place specifically for the purpose. Longer strips are also hung from doorways. The strips placed outside also tend to be longer, so that they can blow in the wind. If it is possible, a penant is hung outside on a pole, sometimes many penants on many poles. Children will often run through the house, looking for the strips, often for those from specific people.
Yilik seeds are preserved from the yearly harvest and kept until the day of Yaunaki. On the morning of a persons birthday, small cakes are made from the seeds. They are baked slowly so the smell of the yilik can be savored through the day, to be served in early to late afternoon.
The cakes are consumed after a brief prayer to Dīnauvai for another year of life, or to Yiba, to protect the soul. If the celebrant is present, they eat the first cake. If not, the first cake crumbled and the crumbs thrown first to the east, where the sun rises, then to the west, where it sets.
After the yilik cakes are eaten, music is played and dances are danced. The music and dances are lively and energetic, celebrating the life of the celebrant.

Related Ethnicities

• Kaushan