Bread Festival
The Festival of Bread, or the Bread Festival, is a celebration of the country's most famous export.
The festivals take place in the squares or district capitals of villages and cities. Smaller farming communities either travel or celebrate among themselves at the largest barn in their circle. Responsibility and thankfulness go hand-in-hand during this time, so it is rare for guards to be needed, allowing them to join in the festivities. Foreigners are encouraged to come, but to leave the intimacy of rural life to the ruralites, and stick to the cities. Foreigners are also encouraged to bring some bread from their faraway homes, or alcohol of their choice, enough to share.
History
Festivals of all local harvests have existed ever since Chauntea herself instructed the first farmers to do so back in the Era of Creation. The people of Belon Daer, considered one of the oldest countries, hold this tradition with much pride, as they claim Chauntea herself presented them with wheat and sickles for harvest. Every year after, they celebrated the harvest in her name by making the finest bread.
Execution
The tests of time has bashed against the solid stone of Belon Daer, and no mere millennia may change their methods. The festival always starts on the sundown on the day the last stalk is harvested. Dances, parades, cookoffs and all manner of parties run rampant throughout the countryside and cities. At the beginning, as the sun sets, the town or village chooses one special individual to wear a white dress and carry a sickle. This person is resembling Chauntea and all bow their heads in reverence.
Components and tools
Every family's main sickle and a bundle of unchaffed wheat are brought and held aloft in triumph. Most other components are food and not set in stone. If one is not a farmer, one is expected to bake bread or pretzels. Ale and whisky is also brought by the barrelload.
Of course, the most anticipated food is bread, and the many ways to turn the golden wheat into delicious treats. Honey-brushed thin crisps, raisin-baked loafs, cakes, and buttered bread with salts from the Montaines. In every area the celebrations commence, there is a judging of the various treats brought. The prize is a golden ribbon in the shape of a wheat stalk, with red being second, green third, and blue fourth.
Participants
All are encouraged to join, especially farmers and their families. Indeed, the farmers are thrust aloft. They receive free drinks, within reason, and exchange pouches of seeds or swap recipes.
Observance
Observed at sundown on the day the last stalk is harvested. They last for a week, or until the chill from the Montaines descends.
Related Ethnicities
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