Coming-of-Age
When an islander comes of age, their family prepares a large bolt of ceremonial broadcloth for them.
It is woven with a new pattern that is unique to that person, using colours that reflect their heritage, their chosen path, and other aspects.
The Waulking is a ceremony to which all of the islanders are broadly invited, though it is seen as polite to attend only if you have a direct connection to the person who is being celebrated.
The places at the waulking table are more strictly reserved. The person whose cloth will be waulked has the right to invite anyone to sit - and also to deny anyone a place at the table - though this is rare, since common decency makes most wait until they are invited.
Despite this genuine freedom of choice, there are expectations of a seat at the table for those with a specific standing in the family, and in the community. At the head of the table is always placed The Seat in which sits the Chief (although it can be any actual chair).
Whether ceremonial or everyday, the waulking of cloth is a very rhythmic process, and the rhythm guides the collective singing of The Waulking Song.