Every summer certain of the Fiej participate in a pilgrimage and festival called the Elder Days. The Elder Days consist of the trek, the festival, and the nights. It has been practiced for hundreds of years and is one of the most well-known aspects of the Fiej community.
The Trek
The Elder Days start with a trek from
Brana to the
Elderspine. The trek itself last for about a week with various villages holding a
Song Roast each night along the way. During the trek, the Fiej camp and sleep out under the stars whenever possible. Following this week of travel and village feasting, the Fiej finally arrive at the sacred Elderspine.
The Festival
At this point, the festival begins in earnest with booths being set up for various Fiej to sell their wares, others plying traditional trades, and various forms of entertainment for the young to the old. Idrans come from far and wide to participate in the daily festivities, but the Idrans are not included in the evenings of the festival. The festival is a great time for people of all walks of life to come togetheter and enjoy the crafts and performances and food that make the Elder Days Festival so rich and colorful.
The Nights
At night, the Fiej come together for a time of community bonding. Each night begins with another
Song Roast that is at this time free for members of any village to join with any other village. This great mixing of villages lends itself to new melodies and beautiful songs around the fire as the smell of roasting meat spreads far and wide. Following the Song Roasts, the entire group of Fiej gather together on the great lawn beside the Elderspine to watch a different performance each night. There are fire dances, plays, and artwork made live before the audeince. Fiej children struggle to stay awake and enjoy the entire performance, but they last into the late hours of the night.
