Mela Sule

by Seraph Abell using Canva Stock

History

Mela Sule is a twelve day holiday with festivals and fun across the continent. It began as a time to mourn the end of the year and celebrate the hope that the new year would bring in. It started during a time in ancient End'oria after a famine struck, and the Seer at the time, Eniyathana Nhrendhina, didn't know how to comfort her people.

After months of discussion with her advisors and surveys from the local populace, Eniyathana decided to make a time of festivities at the end of the year that would boost the spirits of her people and perhaps also draw the attention of the divine. Offerings would be made throughout the twelve days, and prayers would be made the first day, the sixth day (last day of the year), and the last day of the holiday.

The following year, after the first Mela Sule festival, the Endinsian Continent was blessed with a bountiful harvest. Following this, the Seer ensured this holiday could continue in full every year afterward.

Modern times

In modern times, the holiday is less about appeasing the gods and more about spending quality time and rest with one's family. It continues to provide comfort to families across the Endinsian continent and small joys with the gifts received and foods made during this time.

Execution

The first six days of the event fall within the last six days of the year. The last six days fall within the first six days of the new year. Additionally, on the last day of the year is the day of gift giving. Traditionally, books and/or handcrafted pieces are given on this day but some families do a need/want/book gift giving tradition. In ancient times, worshippers left offerings of art on their altars during this period, and at the end of the holiday they hung the pieces in the alcove or stored away in a special Mela Sule artwork folder.

Excerpt

Kaedan sat holding Inarora in his lap while waiting for the bus to take the pair to the north end of Erazim, where the Mela Sule festival was to be held. The pair watched as homes and businesses passed by them, all decorated for the end of the year festivals. Cylindrical and spherical lanterns hung from every house and business, each decorated with the Dh’oriân word for ‘New Year’ and with a tree branch of snow flowers painted onto it. Since it was daylight, the lanterns were not lit. Yet, he knew that when evening came, they would all be lit with rainbow flames. The local trees comprising the medians for the road were also decorated with weather-proof dragon lights—tiny baubles that hold magic fire inside rather than using a light bulb—and other weatherproof hanging ornaments made with fabric. Inarora shoved her thumb in her mouth and started rubbing her satin doll on her face, staring out the window in awe.

— Seraph Abell

Read more here! Mela Sule in Inarora Short Stories

Components and tools

Lanterns hanging from homes and businesses, typically decorated with snowflakes or crops, or both, and the Dh'oriân word for 'new year' and/or 'harvest'

Dragon lights

Chestnut rice is a staple

A special altar set up

black candles

offerings of chestnut rice

incense

depending on how religious a family is, some prayer tags are burned with hopes for the new year.

Vendors in Erazim during the festival

Ilmserin Sulian Coffee

Sells a latte made with chestnut syrup and peppermint, with whipped cream on top

For non-coffee drinkers, they sell a hot cocoa made with chestnut syrup, cinnamon, whipped cream, and sprinkles.

Sanadhani Bakery

Rhidk Antenyl Grill

makes a soba stir fry

Author and artist booths

author and artist booths are there for gift buying. The arts are held in high regards in Endinsian culture, and thus any gift involving creativity is very much sought after.