WC1 - Eiyudi Shore Rhymes
A MYTH ABOUT FOOD
Due to the early scarcity of food and the uneven distribution of resources, those who rose to positions of social authority among the newly orphaned Eiyudi people began telling modified versions of older cultural stories that were changed to relate to their new homeland. Some were easily altered due to universal laws, be careful around fire, for example but other elements of their new environment posed entirely new threats that every single survivor needed to learn and know about.
The Portrood Horned Crab was immediately recognized as a vital resource in the lives of the Eiyudi people. They scavenge and collect what the ocean leaves behind when the tides receed and on the rare occassion that the Storm receeds they flock to the prismatic shores to watch the spectacular auroras and enjoy some time above ground in the salty ocean air.
The first of the three pairs of rhymes serve as a call-to-action; when you see the beautiful auroras of light that manifest on the shores during brief periods of calm everybody capable should go and gather resources. In the first years living on the coast this was important because they had lost most of their cultural heritage and had begun to lose their sense of community. Gathering your neighbours or family and traveling together to a beautiful outdoor location became a cultural touchstone and eventually evolved into a seasonal celebration called Crab'ageddon.
The second phrase refers to the importance of using what the ocean leaves behind during a low tide. Their culture is well aware of the irony of surviving off the same thing that destroyed their homeland and chased them across the ocean. Nonetheless survival was the point and bringing back anything that could be of use to the larger community was important during times of scarcity.
Lastly, the third rhyme reminds us to pay attention to the ocean at all times. The coast may be beautiful but it is always dangerous and once the tides start coming it will hit fast. Gather your people and bounty and go home to tell the folk who stayed about what you saw, make a huge meal of the crabs you carry with you and celebrate a good day!
"Shining shores with sparkling sand,
Call your kin and wave your hand.
The Storm receeds leaving crabs a plenty,
Protect your crew and gather the bounty.
Rising tide, time to hide,
Fill your sack and don’t look back."
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