Annuals

The Kerato people hold celebrations on an individuals day of birth every year to commemorate another year of life lived. These celebrations, called annuals, are held mainly within the family of the one who is being celebrated, though close friends may participate as well. The annual is capped off with the ritual tattooing of the celebrant with the traditional phosphorescent ink of the Kerato.

History

The glowing tattoos of the Kerato were originally just simple and crudely made symbols and artwork used for self expression, but this primitive version slowly evolved into the complex and integral part of Kerato culture they are today. Before the time of the Academy and the monopolization of Runic, the Kerato would often tattoo themselves with their favorite runes so they would always have access to their power. As the common knowledge of Runic faded, so too did these Runic tattoos, and they were slowly replaced with ones representing important milestones or achievements in someone's life instead. This was later ritualized by shifting the tattooing to happen annually on an individual's birth date, and the Kerato still follow this tradition today.

Annuals became a way to celebrate another year of life for someone, to reflect on the past year and look forward to the future. The tattoos they receive can represent many things, ranging from significant events, to future hopes and goals, to animals or important objects. The tattoo can also represent great failure, not as punishment, but as a reminder to be better in the future. These are always shown publicly, as an acceptance of guilt and a promise to do better. Such tattoos are taken very seriously by their owners, and are often carried by the greatest leaders the Kerato have seen. Not all tattoos are shown publicly though. Most Kerato have one or two that are too personal to share with others, and they keep these covered with special wrappings when in public. These are often only revealed to one's closest friend or spouse and signify an extreme level of openness and trust. The tattoos are also given to children, though the younger the child the simpler and smaller the tattoo will be to prevent stretching as they grow.

Execution

Annuals are not a very rigid tradition, and different families may have slightly different ways of celebrating them. Often there will be a special meal shared with the whole family and potentially close friends of the celebrant. Gifts are not mandatory or expected, but it is not uncommon for at least someone in the family to give one. The day will always end with the tattooing though. This process can take anywhere from half an hour to up to eight depending on the complexity and size of it.

Components and tools

Traditionally, the tattoo is given using the horn of an ancestor, often one who has some significance relative to the tattoo being given. The ink is a special variation of the wall paints unique to the Kerato people. Created from the exoskeleton of certain cave dwellers, the ink glows a bright greenish-blue when exposed to the light emitted by the horns of the Kerato.

Participants

The celebrant is obviously the center of attention during their annual, but the rest of their family plays an important role along with the tattooist. The subject of the tattoo is chosen by the celebrant's mother if they are male, and their father if they are female. Those who identify as both have theirs chosen by both parents, alternating yearly. This is done because of the value the Kerato put on the two sides of gender and finding balance between them. If the celebrant has a spouse, they instead choose the tattoo for their partner. The tattooist is usually someone who lives in the same town or village, and if one is not available families can choose to request the services of a tattooist from another nearby settlement. They often spend their entire lives learning and perfecting the art. The tattooist decides the location the tattoo will go, using their knowledge to tell where the image will fit best. Only the celebrant's sponsor (the one who chose the tattoo) is allowed within the room the tattoo is to be done. They are there to support the celebrant through the often painful tattoo experience as well as collaborate with the tattooist on the design of the tattoo, though it is considered very disrespectful to ignore the opinions of the tattooist.

Observance

Annuals are celebrated once a year from the day the child is born until the day they die. The first one is normally done a day or two after birth to allow the newborn to settle in to life outside their mother's womb.