Eiwaso Kyoku
If you're going to split a shotesei bun with someone, you've got to cut it properly! You have to taste both flavors of jam together or it just isn't the same. Like the mixing of Sounith and Reicaro cultures. Symbolism and stuff.Also referred to as Harmonic Union, Eiwaso Kyoku is a three day feast celebrating the peace agreement struck between the Reicaro and Sounith. It is a government holiday in Reisouth.
History
In mid-spring 316 AN, the Sounith and Reicaro came together on the Karmoniku Prairie to sign a peace treaty, bringing about an end to their long history of warring with each other. To mark the occasion, the groups met on the prairie for a feast where they shared foods and dances of their cultures as a show of goodwill. They would continue this practice every year as a way of strengthening their commitment to peace and it would come to be known as Eiwaso Kyoku.
The celebration evolved during the Queendom period. Settlements on the prairie would host their own festivals that would draw people of Sounith and Reicaro descent from all over southeast Leland. Those who couldn't travel feasted in their homes with friends and neighbors. Smaller communities would host potluck gatherings in the community center or town square.
In 932, the Reisouth Cultural Society sought to return Eiwaso Kyoku to its roots by creating a state-sponsored festival on the prairie outside of Kenmaki. While many smaller festivals are still held, most have opted to stop hosting them due to the scale and popularity of the state-sponsored one. It draws massive crowds to Kenmaki and surrounding areas every year.
Components and tools
While all forms of food from Reicaro and Sounith culture are partaken in during the feast, no Eiwaso Kyoku is complete without the eating of shotesei buns. These pastries are made of a simple sweet dough and have two pockets filled with different flavored jams. Traditionally, these jams were krerikote and iopaya berry--fruits common to Reicaro and Sounith cuisine, respectively--and were specially made by compisceanes to bring about feelings of happiness. There are often variations of shotesei buns available--topped with nuts or frosting, different flavored jams, different intended mood effects--but they are always offered beside traditional shotesei buns.
For escansceanes of Reisouth, being trusted to make traditional shotesei buns for an Eiwaso Kyoku gathering is a rite of passage. Making compis jams that create the intended mood-lifting effects is a test of one's enmantic ability and the construction of the pastries speaks to one's technical culinary skills. Failure to correctly make shotesei buns can put a damper on a gathering, especially if the mood effects of the jams are off.
Observance
Eiwaso Kyoku is celebrated Yenary 27th-29th each year.
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