Festival - Ancient's Day

Ancient's day is a celebration of the ancestors and pioneers of the Slatovians. It is celebrated by hosting a traditional feast in the middle of the village. All people gather, eat, drink, and party together.
Although this celebration is popular in rural areas, it is not observed as often in the capital city of Oysterton. This may be due to the large amount of travellers and traders who are in the area to try and make their fortune and do not have any interest in the local culture. Whilst others blame this lack of celebration on the growing unreligious population in the city, who are often referred to as "the degenerates".

History

This tradition was first started countless generations ago to honour the Slatovian's ancestors, as the Slatovians believe that honouring the ancestors will please their spirits and give the people celebrating good fortune.

Execution

On the first day of each new year, the Slatovians participating in the traditional celebration take up the basic weapons of their ancestors, such as spears carved from wood and basic bows and arrows, to hunt for elks and other small game. This hunt usually lasts all day and ends in the evening just before the sun starts to set. The animals caught during this hunt are taken to the centre of the village, where large fires have been prepared. If there are a large amount of animals which have been caught, it is considered a good omen. A sign that a bountiful year is beginning. However, if the hunt is unsuccessful, this signals a year of hardship or struggle. These large fires are lit at dusk. Just before the sun goes down. The animals caught are roasted over the large fires. This meat is also served with cooked root vegetables and berries, which are collected by children too young to participate in the hunt in the villages surrounding area. Traditional music is played, people dance, drink, and share the food hunted and scavenged on the day with the community. The drinks of choice are usually either mead, ale, or vodka, which are homemade specially for this celebration.

Components and tools

The tools used for the hunting section of the festival are reminiscent of the tools which the Slatovian's ancestors would have used.
These are tools such as:

• Spears which are carved from wood
• Basic iron swords, which resemble crude cleavers
• Basic long bows with flint tipped arrows

The wood used for the fires is usually the wood from evergreen trees, such as pine trees.

Participants

All of the people who live in the village or town are expected to participate in the festival, although old or infirm people are not required to participate.
Young men are sent to do the hunting portion of the festival
Young women prepare the fire and the area where the festival will take place
Children to young to help with the setup or hunting gather berries and root vegetables from the surrounding area

Observance

This festival is celebrated on the first full day in the new year. This day is chosen for the festival as the night before the people are celebrating the future, with the bringing in of the new year.