Niroi Traditions

Far off in the distant jungle, the mythical Niroi live and breathe in solitude. Their tribal traditions revolve around hunters and gatherers, and their traditional meals. At the age of 2, every kit is taken from its mother and put in a communal school were it will train until the age of 10, when they are assigned to an elder who will train them in their future role for the tribe. Common roles include Hunters, responsible for the week-long trips required to bring down big game in the jungle, Gatherers who are experts in the plats and poisons of the jungle's varied flora, and Nighstalkers, deadly warriors who protect the tribe's borders and watch over the jungle throughout the long night. The tribe's authority is made up of three individuals, the Chief, a male of at least 20 who makes executive decisions and organizes the hunts. The Executioner is a female responsible for leading the Nightstalkers; into war if necessary. And the Arbiter, and elderly female in charge of the ritual meals of the tribe, the communal school, and choosing the kits future roles.
The Arbiter is considered the most important member of the Tribe, and the most honored individual in the community. Most Arbiter's are the mates of dead chief's and hence the mother or grandmother of the current chief. The arbiter's main duties include presiding over a Niroi tribe's traditional feasts, held at midsummer and midwinter, as well as the first full moon of autumn. Each of these days has its own unique traditions, but the Arbiter acts the same at each: It is her duty to taste each dish before others are allowed to eat it, to test for poison, and her privilege to select the best cut of meat for the consumption of the chief and executioner. The Arbiter is then required to wait on the kits for the rest of the meal, and not allowed to eat anymore.
The midsummer feast is a feast of harvest, meant to celebrate the bounty of the jungle. Plants are eaten at this meal almost exclusively, with the exception of some fish. During this event, the gatherers are given the seats of honor in the tribe chief's tent. The year's supply of poisons, for arrows or traps, as well as the special herbs and salves necessary for the rest of the year. If a chief has died during the year, a new one is chosen by the arbiter on the last day of this three-day feast.
The Midwinter feast is a feast of hunting and combat, where the hunters and nighstalkers are venerated. In the weeks leading up to midwinter, the hunters hold their most daring hunts and try to to bring home the biggest game. Meat is consumed during this feast exclusively, and the best hunters and bravest nightstalkers are given the seats of honor with the chief. If the Executioneer has died during the past year, a new one is chosen during this feast.
The last feast, held on the first full moon of autumn, is held to celebrate the Niroi's ancient stories. On this day the Arbiter tells the ancient tales, and the eldest Niroi review their tribe's history, and their mythology concerning their origins and that of the jungle. Parents and their children have the spotlight during this festival, as the children learn to recite the ancient lays and the parents are honored for their success.

History

The Niroi have held their festivals for thousands of years, since before the elves arrived in the jungle and began recording history in this part of the world. The Niroi's eldest tales tell of a time before they had discovered the secrets of the jungle, when they struggled to survive in very small groups. According to their histories, A mother, her son and daughter learned the secrets of the jungle and then formed the first tribe, which later fractured into the dozen-ish smaller tribes that live in the jungle today.

Observance

The Feast of hunters --- Midwinter. (held when the last of the late-berries fall from the trees)
The Feast of harvest --- Midsummer. (held after the rains cause the rivers to overflow their banks)
The feast of legends --- Autumn. (held on the first full moon after the great predators are first spotted)

Primary Related Location

The Northern Jungle