The Festival of The Honored Dead

The Festival of The Honored Dead, honors the god Taro. Celebrated once a year, on Set in the third week of Cassa.
The Theme of the Festival hinges around community and the celebration of those who’ve died. Often by creating songs, poems, trinkets, and food. All of which are shared and enjoyed among the communities which participate. Culminating in a great feast.
It is believed that the energy or spirit of a loved one may visit during this time and visit their loved ones. Many people speak of having conversations in dreams during the festival. The degree of belief in this particular practice varies.

Common Offerings Include:

Giving A Toast, Sharing a memory

Songs

Poems

Baked goods, or other food items (often the favorite of the honored deceased)

Favored trinkets

Displays of bravery or skill

Written notes to the deceased

Prayers in their honor

Decelerations of passion, or promises made on the deceased’s behalf*

etc.

*Such promises are taken very seriously and made in the presence of others is considered a binding social contract with witnesses.
Marriage Proposals. Oddly enough, such impassioned promises of intent of marriage are often made during this festival. It is seen as a good way to curry favor with the deceased family members, particularly a deceased parent; and ask for their blessing of the union. A member of the extended family often stepping up as a proxy to bless or curse the intended promise - the proxy usually chosen beforehand.

History

The Festival was first celebrated in the wake of harsh winters and lean planting seasons, where farmers would beg the God Taro for his blessing on the land, offering him anything in return for allowing them to live, and to cultivate a promising future for themselves and the land.
The Festival moved from a Fall celebration to the end of Winter near the reign of the 7th great King of Halvishlan. Who had the celebration moved to the brirthday of the recently deceased High King’s birthday - his father - to honor him. In which the festival became an annual event instead of at the whim of nature.
It is now the largest holiday celebrated in winter, all across Halvishlan.

Execution

Each city holds a main feast, while smaller more personal ones are held in homes across the city. The offerings placed at the main feast are intended to honor Taro more directly, and those offerings in the homes for the loved ones passed on.

Components and tools

Food, Frivolity & Music

Participants

The Mayor will often appoint a master of ceremonies for the festival a whole year in advance, Who’s job it is to take note of all deaths and keep a record to present to Taro at the celebration - and ask that he guide them to the next existence. They are also tasked with arranging the festivities for the main feast.

Observance

A Highly Observed Holiday and Festival; Even celebrated by those who do not worship Taro at any other time of the year.