Lunar Festivals
History
The people of Theligose celebrate four lunar festivals every year. Originally celebrated by the Khensu tribes, over time as these nomadic people largely became settled and mingled with others in the Three Cities and beyond, the festivals were adopted by all of Theligose.
Though their history and meanings of some traditions are now forgotten or have changed as the years have passed, the spirit of the festivals remain the same - they are a celebration of life, nature and key points in the lunar calendar.
Execution
Though the exact specifics of the festivals vary from one geographical area to another, in general they involve feasting, singing and traditional dances which all children will learn at a young age.
Traditionally each festival begins at moonrise, with festivities reaching their height as the full moon peaks in the sky before revellers slowly return home to their beds as the moon sets and the next day dawns. However, in practice people begin to prepare for these events some days or even weeks in advance, each festival being a highlight of the year.
Components and tools
Many attendees at the lunar festivals choose to wear traditional clothing, which is generally brightly coloured.
For women, this consists of a cropped vest which shows the waist, often made of leather and fastened with laces, paired with a long flowing skirt or loose trousers - clothing that is comfortable for the wearer to dance in. For the Newborn Moon festival and Flood Moon festival, held during the slightly colder months, they may choose to wear a scarf or shawl over the vest or a blouse under it. Those individuals who are more modest may also choose this style during the Golden Moon festival and Flame Moon festival if they wish to cover their bodies despite the summer heat.
For men traditional fashions are similar - loose trousers and a vest which shows the chest. As with women, men can wear a shirt underneath the vest if they choose, although generally this would also be more revealing than everyday attire, open to the waist.
Among the Khensu people, the Sea Eagle tribe wear shawls like eagles' wings that match the bright colours of their painted boats, while the Mountain Lion tribe favour a traditional patchwork skirt, made up of pieces of fabric from other clothing that has become unwearable over time - either torn or outgrown. This allows them to reuse items and can also help to preserve precious memories of their families. For example, a mother might take pieces of the blouse she wore for her wedding and sew them into the skirts of her daughters.
Participants
A unique aspect of the lunar festivals is that they represent a time when everyone is equal, not separated by class, duty or rank. Some nobles hold parties in their mansions and manors while the lowborn feast and dance in town squares and city streets, but for others the festivals are a chance to celebrate with their staff and servants.
If they are so inclined, Lords and Ladies will open their homes and welcome all the villagers inside for the night, or go out into the city with their servants to enjoy the atmosphere and see what the festival has to offer together as an extended family.
Observance
The festivals are held on the night of the full moon during four months: Newborn Moon, Flood Moon, Golden Moon and Flame Moon. The rituals and activities which the festivals involve vary depending on the month, as each lunar festival is intended to celebrate a different aspect of life, all heavily linked to occurrences in the natural world due to the festivals' roots in the culture of the nomadic Khensu people.
The Newborn Moon festival falls in the first month and is a chance to welcome the new year, look to the future and reflect on the past, a tradition that occurs as this festival also marks the anniversary of the Rise of Man. At the College of Binders in She'Ammut, astrologers read the stars and study what lies ahead in the coming year. Extended families gather together to welcome those who have joined them over the last year and mourn those they have lost. Though less noisy or colourful than other festivals, the Newborn Moon festival is not a sad one, with these rituals of remembrance involving storytelling and individuals sharing their happy memories of those who are no longer present. Traditionally places are set at the table or around the fire for those who have passed away since the last Newborn Moon Festival and for family members who are not able to join their relatives for the celebration. To welcome babies who were born during the previous year and new members who have joined the family through marriage, traditional cakes are baked and eaten together with sweet sahlab drinks. These cakes are large, sweet loaves containing fruit and nuts that can easily be pulled apart and shared.
As rivers swell and flood, the rushing waters are joined by flowing wine and spirits during this festival as villagers drink the homemade alcohol that they've brewed over the winter months. A popular festival among lovers and romantics, the Flood Moon festival heralds the coming of spring, with women wearing garlands of early-blooming flowers in their hair. Throughout the land houses are decorated with wreaths. In Liste, flower petals fill the streets, while musicians play and sing in the civic gardens of She'Ammut, serenading couples who are walking there.
Though all of the lunar festivals involve feasting, the Golden Moon festival includes more feasting than most owing to the bounty of food at this time of year as farmers gather in the harvest. A huge night market is held in Liste with many varieties of delicious street food, while in Lahun snacks include crispy grilled fish, fresh-caught oysters and a local speciality, seafood stew. The festival falls on the longest day of the year, with the moon rising to join the sun in the sky for several hours before sunset, a phenomenon that has led the Khensu people, particularly the Mountain Lion tribe, to view this day as an auspicious time for marriages and joinings. Their festival traditions include competitions of skill such as knife throwing, wrestling or contests of strength, with men competing for the affections of the women and hoping to impress them. As the Mountain Lion tribe are traders and mingle with settled peoples more than some of the other Khensu tribes, these traditions are now common in the small villages throughout the Eastern Bahariya mountains, and over recent years have started to become part of the festivities in the Three Cities as well.
The Flame Moon festival is the fire festival, held at the hottest time of year. Usually there are large bonfires and revellers join together to enjoy barbecued meats and vegetables cooked in the flames. There is also lively dancing, meant to represent the swift-moving flames of wildfires in the grassland. In some places flowers are gathered and thrown onto the fires, filling the air with perfume. Farmers intentionally burn the remains of crops which were harvested earlier in the year. This serves to fertilise the soil and creates firebreaks, protecting their homes from the wildfires that are more common during this month. Sometimes grasses are cut around the perimeter of small villages and fires set for the same reason. The stalks are then woven into baskets and other household items. In She'Ammut the Binders leave their towers, a rare occurrence, and hold displays of magic in the city's main square. Fireworks can also be seen in all of the Three Cities. After their dancing, the residents of Lahun swim in the sea while the moon is high to cool off from the heat and in Liste the same occurs in the rivers surrounding the city.
Newborn Moon
The Newborn Moon festival is a solemn one, quieter. Less exciting for you children, perhaps, but you'll come to value it someday. A time to reflect on what we have gained over the year, and what we have lost.
The Newborn Moon festival falls in the first month and is a chance to welcome the new year, look to the future and reflect on the past, a tradition that occurs as this festival also marks the anniversary of the Rise of Man. At the College of Binders in She'Ammut, astrologers read the stars and study what lies ahead in the coming year. Extended families gather together to welcome those who have joined them over the last year and mourn those they have lost. Though less noisy or colourful than other festivals, the Newborn Moon festival is not a sad one, with these rituals of remembrance involving storytelling and individuals sharing their happy memories of those who are no longer present. Traditionally places are set at the table or around the fire for those who have passed away since the last Newborn Moon Festival and for family members who are not able to join their relatives for the celebration. To welcome babies who were born during the previous year and new members who have joined the family through marriage, traditional cakes are baked and eaten together with sweet sahlab drinks. These cakes are large, sweet loaves containing fruit and nuts that can easily be pulled apart and shared.
Flood Moon
The Flood Moon is a time of change, when the rivers flood and wash things away. Is that bad? Not really. You see, sometimes things have to be destroyed so new things can grow.
As rivers swell and flood, the rushing waters are joined by flowing wine and spirits during this festival as villagers drink the homemade alcohol that they've brewed over the winter months. A popular festival among lovers and romantics, the Flood Moon festival heralds the coming of spring, with women wearing garlands of early-blooming flowers in their hair. Throughout the land houses are decorated with wreaths. In Liste, flower petals fill the streets, while musicians play and sing in the civic gardens of She'Ammut, serenading couples who are walking there.
Golden Moon
They say the Flood Moon is the most romantic, but I disagree. For our people, the Golden Moon festival is a time of love. The weather is warm and the moonlight is bright... maybe you'll understand when you're older.
Though all of the lunar festivals involve feasting, the Golden Moon festival includes more feasting than most owing to the bounty of food at this time of year as farmers gather in the harvest. A huge night market is held in Liste with many varieties of delicious street food, while in Lahun snacks include crispy grilled fish, fresh-caught oysters and a local speciality, seafood stew. The festival falls on the longest day of the year, with the moon rising to join the sun in the sky for several hours before sunset, a phenomenon that has led the Khensu people, particularly the Mountain Lion tribe, to view this day as an auspicious time for marriages and joinings. Their festival traditions include competitions of skill such as knife throwing, wrestling or contests of strength, with men competing for the affections of the women and hoping to impress them. As the Mountain Lion tribe are traders and mingle with settled peoples more than some of the other Khensu tribes, these traditions are now common in the small villages throughout the Eastern Bahariya mountains, and over recent years have started to become part of the festivities in the Three Cities as well.
Flame Moon
The Flame Moon lets us be free and wild like fire. Do you enjoy the dancing? Raise your arms up to the moon, then sway like the flickering flames!
The Flame Moon festival is the fire festival, held at the hottest time of year. Usually there are large bonfires and revellers join together to enjoy barbecued meats and vegetables cooked in the flames. There is also lively dancing, meant to represent the swift-moving flames of wildfires in the grassland. In some places flowers are gathered and thrown onto the fires, filling the air with perfume. Farmers intentionally burn the remains of crops which were harvested earlier in the year. This serves to fertilise the soil and creates firebreaks, protecting their homes from the wildfires that are more common during this month. Sometimes grasses are cut around the perimeter of small villages and fires set for the same reason. The stalks are then woven into baskets and other household items. In She'Ammut the Binders leave their towers, a rare occurrence, and hold displays of magic in the city's main square. Fireworks can also be seen in all of the Three Cities. After their dancing, the residents of Lahun swim in the sea while the moon is high to cool off from the heat and in Liste the same occurs in the rivers surrounding the city.
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