Oizai Birthdays

Oizai, the human sized moth people who are Omari's first inhabitants, have their own way of celebrating birthdays. It is always a joyous occasion when a new Oizai is born; they perceive it as yet another gift from Uxali and a sign that they're continuing to prosper and be happy because of him. During the private naming ceremony after birth, the accompanying spiritual leader draws a crescent moon on the child's forehead as a blessing of prosperity and luck from the moon and Uxali. Then the father takes a leaf with the child's name on it and uses it to light a candle at Uxali's shrine as the small group offers up their praise to him. A week after the naming ceremony the whole village meets the child and they all celebrate with a large feast accompanied by music and dance. These feasts are held every year after on that person's birthday where fellow Oizai gift them flowers or berries they found or grew themselves. These more traditional ceremonies usually take place in Oizai only settlements/villages. More modern individuals who may live elsewhere settle for a standard, but still large and boisterous, party with loved ones.

History

The larger birth celebrations did not begin until the Oizai took up root on Omari. They used to be smaller, more private occasions on their previous home island. They have stuck with the clans through history and are still celebrated in similar fashion in present day.

Participants

Everyone in the village partakes in the day long feast and party for the individual's birthday. If the Oizai lives in a mixed city, it is instead only attended by local family and friends. There is a naming ceremony that is held in more traditional circles where the parents, along with their newborn, pray at the nearest Uxali shrine with a local spiritual leader. The first part of the naming ceremony is private between them, but a week later the parents introduce their child to the rest of the village as they get involved in this new Oizai's life.