The Great Roast

In many farming villages, especially those in the Matron Mysterium it is common to celebrate late summer with the killing of several Hornacs and doing a massive village roast. This is usually done shortly before the major harvests. This celebrates the raising of such an important resource as well as providing a way to relax during the heat of the year. Some aspects of the celebration may take a week or months of preparation or more due to the butchering and in some cases smoking the meat. The actual celebration often lasts three to four days, and often kicks off the massive butchering of cattle for smoking and curing for export and sales.

Events

Common events include Water Jousting tournaments, Rings or card games, as well as cooking competitions, races and pulling competitions. The arts are also celebrated, with leatherworking, bone and horn carving as very common types on display. Leather clothing is popular due to the abundance of leather in the region, as are many leather belts and felted wide brimmed hats and vests.
Most importantly is the roast however. Differing villages each have their own traditions, but typically most of the Hornac is used, with the horns and leather being used as prizes for various competitions. Most cooking falls into three broad categories; pit barbecue, smoking, and grilling. The use of sauces and spice mixes are common, with some Tarlinjin people acquiring them the entire year just for this event. In some larger towns all three categories may be done, with everything from smoked sausages to stews and grilled meats.

Related Ethnicities

• Tarlinjin