Fishtaille
Fishtaille is a yearly culinary festival held in the town of Osythswick, Berrica.
In the rare cases someone would not return to the surface, it was believed their soul had been claimed by the goddess, to serve her more directly.
Upon return a great feast was organized where the baptised and their families enjoyed the bounties the goddess had offered them during the previous days.
After the unification of Berrica and the establishment of the kingdom, Osyethale worship went on the decline. By the time the first rational religions (see Corhainism for an example) were introduced to Berrican culture, Osyethale had almost been completely forgotten.
The only reference remaining to her ancient worshipping, was the town name of Osythswick and the small half-fish, half-woman idols fishermen carry with them for luck. What also remained was the yearly celebration, originally known as Festtaille, where people would come down to Osythwick, to feast on the various delicious fish dishes the town had to offer.
Over the centuries the festival would evolve from a regional, to a national and eventually to an international happening known as Fishtaille. Other than its purely culinary offerings, the festival also offers space for arts and entertainment.
History
The festival finds is origin in a pre-unification tradition that was tied to the worship of an ancient sea goddess called Osyethale. Once a year, the fishermen of the region would renew their vow of humility by having themselves baptised at sea. The ritual would involve them submerging themselves in the deep sea water and reciting the prayer of Osyethale in their mind, before returning to the surface.In the rare cases someone would not return to the surface, it was believed their soul had been claimed by the goddess, to serve her more directly.
Upon return a great feast was organized where the baptised and their families enjoyed the bounties the goddess had offered them during the previous days.
After the unification of Berrica and the establishment of the kingdom, Osyethale worship went on the decline. By the time the first rational religions (see Corhainism for an example) were introduced to Berrican culture, Osyethale had almost been completely forgotten.
The only reference remaining to her ancient worshipping, was the town name of Osythswick and the small half-fish, half-woman idols fishermen carry with them for luck. What also remained was the yearly celebration, originally known as Festtaille, where people would come down to Osythwick, to feast on the various delicious fish dishes the town had to offer.
Over the centuries the festival would evolve from a regional, to a national and eventually to an international happening known as Fishtaille. Other than its purely culinary offerings, the festival also offers space for arts and entertainment.
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